Senior Director IP, Software Defined Network and Tooling

Optus is looking for a visionary leader to transform our IP network into a self-driving, AI-assisted system. Reporting to the Head of Transport & IP Engineering, this role will define and deliver the automation roadmap, build the tools and processes to scale automation, and lead diverse engineering teams to make it a reality. This is a career-defining opportunity to accelerate the shift to an API-driven, AI-enabled network that delivers faster services, fewer outages, and greater efficiency for our customers.

Ready to reimagine your career at Optus?

Develop and deliver a 3–5 year automation roadmap with clear milestones, benefits, and funding commitments

Establish the IP automation stack including orchestration, controllers, CI/CD pipelines, data lakes, and AI/ML engines, ensuring security and resilience

Lead and grow a blended team of engineers, developers, and data scientists, driving agile delivery and capability uplift

Partner with Strategy, Architecture, Operations, and IP Delivery to automate provisioning, change control, fault isolation, and self-healing processes

Oversee governance, metrics, and risk management to ensure automation initiatives meet performance, safety, and compliance standards

Manage vendors and integration partners to align delivery with the automation roadmap and strategic objectives

It starts with you

Extensive leadership experience in network engineering, automation, or large-scale digital transformation

Proven track record setting strategic roadmaps and securing executive alignment and funding

Deep expertise in IP networks, SDN, orchestration, APIs, and automation frameworks

Strong background in agile delivery, CI/CD, DevOps, and AI/ML integration within network environments

Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage partnerships with vendors and integration specialists

Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and change leadership skills, with a passion for driving innovation

The good stuff …

3 days in the office, 2 days remote – with flexible hours to suit

Inclusive carer neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks

Competitive leave including 2 'Connected Leave' days

All Optus employees have access to resources, webinars and support via the 'Parents at Work portal'

Own your own growth by accessing an extensive online and facilitator led learning catalogue.

Connect at work through our employee-led volunteer groups: Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network, Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+), United Veterans, Yarn Network, Wellbeing Network and Young Professionals.

Vibrant campus life, variety of facilities including restaurants, cafes, gymnasium, GP, and post office

Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon

Curious about our culture? Go behind the scenes with our people by searching #OptusLife on LinkedIn.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying 'yes' to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email or call We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit