Staff Network Engineer, Backbone

CoreWeave is The Essential Cloud for AI. Built for pioneers by pioneers, CoreWeave delivers a platform of technology, tools, and teams that enables innovators to build and scale AI with confidence. Trusted by leading AI labs, startups, and global enterprises, CoreWeave combines superior infrastructure performance with deep technical expertise to accelerate breakthroughs and turn compute into capability. Founded in 2017, CoreWeave became a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CRWV) in March 2025. Learn more at .What You'll Do:The Backbone & Edge team is responsible for the engineering and operational excellence of CoreWeave's global backbone network. As a Staff Network Engineer, you will drive the design, deployment, automation, and reliability of our backbone infrastructure while partnering closely with Architecture, Data Center Engineering, and other networking teams to deliver scalable, resilient, and highly available connectivity.As a Staff Engineer, you'll lead complex technical initiatives, influence engineering standards, and help define the long-term evolution of one of the industry's fastest-growing AI cloud networks. You will play a key role in scaling our backbone infrastructure through automation, operational excellence, and mentorship while solving some of the most challenging networking problems at global scale.In this role, you will:Provide technical leadership for the design, deployment, operation, and continuous improvement of CoreWeave's global backbone and edge networkLead large-scale backbone expansion projects, including new PoP deployments, backbone upgrades, capacity expansions, and network modernization initiativesDrive the operational strategy for backbone engineering by improving network reliability, resiliency, scalability, and service availabilityLead the investigation and resolution of complex routing, optical, and transport issues across multi-vendor production environments, serving as a technical escalation point during critical incidentsArchitect and develop automation solutions for network provisioning, configuration management, monitoring, validation, and operational workflows using Python, Ansible, APIs, and Infrastructure-as-Code practicesEstablish engineering standards, operational best practices, and change management processes that improve consistency and reduce operational riskPartner closely with Backbone Architecture to translate long-term network designs into scalable, operationally sound implementationsDrive capacity planning, performance optimization, and reliability initiatives across the global backbone infrastructureMentor and develop engineers through technical leadership, design reviews, incident reviews, and knowledge sharingLead post-incident reviews and drive long-term corrective actions that improve operational maturity across the organizationCollaborate across Infrastructure, Compute, Data Center, and Software Engineering teams to deliver reliable, scalable networking solutions that support CoreWeave's AI platformParticipate in an on-call rotation as a senior technical escalation resource for critical backbone incidentsWho You Are:Proven experience (typically 10+ years) designing, operating, and evolving large-scale backbone, service provider, hyperscale cloud, or content provider networksDemonstrated experience leading technical initiatives across complex production environments with measurable impact on network reliability, scalability, and operational efficiencyDeep expertise operating large-scale backbone networks utilizing technologies and protocols such as SR-MPLS, IS-IS, BGP, Segment Routing, and EVPNStrong understanding of backbone network architecture, resiliency, capacity planning, traffic engineering, and operational best practicesExtensive experience troubleshooting complex routing, optical transport, and distributed networking issues across multi-vendor environmentsProven experience designing and implementing network automation solutions using Python, Ansible, APIs, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and modern Infrastructure-as-Code methodologiesExperience with Nokia SR OS, Juniper Junos, and other carrier-grade network operating systemsStrong systems-level understanding of Linux, networking, and automation platformsDemonstrated ability to influence technical direction across multiple engineering teams without direct organizational authorityExcellent communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to engineers, architects, and executive stakeholdersPassion for mentoring engineers, raising engineering standards, and fostering a culture of operational excellenceBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experiencePreferred:Experience operating hyperscale cloud, AI, or large content provider backbone networksExperience with optical transport technologies and DWDM platforms such as CienaExperience designing highly available global backbone architecturesFamiliarity with network source-of-truth platforms such as NetBox and modern network observability platformsExperience building large-scale network automation frameworks and self-service infrastructureExperience leading cross-functional infrastructure initiatives involving networking, compute, storage, and data center engineeringIndustry certifications such as CCIE, JNCIE, Nokia SRA, or equivalent are a plusWondering if you're a good fit? We believe in investing in our people, and value candidates who can bring their own diversified experiences to our teams – even if you aren't a 100% skill or experience match. Why CoreWeave?At CoreWeave, we work hard, have fun, and move fast! We're in an exciting stage of hyper-growth that you will not want to miss out on. We're not afraid of a little chaos, and we're constantly learning. Our team cares deeply about how we build our product and how we work together, which is represented through our core values:Be Curious at Your CoreAct Like an OwnerEmpower EmployeesDeliver Best-in-Class Client ExperiencesAchieve More TogetherWe support and encourage an entrepreneurial outlook and independent thinking. We foster an environment that encourages collaboration and enables the development of innovative solutions to complex problems. As we get set for takeoff, the organization's growth opportunities are constantly expanding. You will be surrounded by some of the best talent in the industry, who will want to learn from you, too. Come join us!The base salary range for this role is $207,000 to $270,000. The starting salary will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location. We strive for both market alignment and internal equity when determining compensation. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package includes a discretionary bonus, equity awards, and a comprehensive benefits program (all based on eligibility).What We OfferThe range we’ve posted represents the typical compensation range for this role. To determine actual compensation, we review the market rate for each candidate which can include a variety of factors. These include qualifications, experience, interview performance, and location.In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits to support your needs. The benefits below reflect our US-based offerings for full-time employees; for roles in other locations, benefits vary and are shared during the hiring process. These include:Medical, dental, and vision insurance - 100% paid for by CoreWeaveCompany-paid Life Insurance Voluntary supplemental life insurance Short and long-term disability insurance Flexible Spending AccountHealth Savings AccountTuition Reimbursement Ability to Participate in Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)Mental Wellness Benefits through Spring Health Family-Forming support provided by CarrotPaid Parental Leave Flexible, full-service childcare support with Kinside401(k) with a generous employer matchFlexible PTOCatered lunch each day in our office and data center locationsA casual work environmentA work culture focused on innovative disruptionCalifornia ApplicantsCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act Equal Opportunity & AccommodationsCoreWeave is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. All qualified applicants and candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.As part of this commitment and consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CoreWeave will ensure that qualified applicants and candidates with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact: View email address on click.appcast.io Control ComplianceThis position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. CoreWeave may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.