Sr. Network Infrastructure & Operations Engineer

Job Description:

Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Rakuten International business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment. We create products and services that provide exceptional value by aligning members and the businesses that want to engage them in a shared community.

Job Summary:

Rakuten is seeking a seasoned Senior Network Infrastructure & Operations Engineer to lead the design, deployment, and lifecycle management of our global cloud infrastructure. This role combines deep technical expertise with operational leadership, driving automation, connectivity, and resilience across data centers and public cloud platforms. You'll be instrumental in shaping next-generation network services, mentoring engineers, and collaborating across teams and vendors to elevate infrastructure capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the build and operation of cloud infrastructure systems, platforms, and networks
• Oversee release management, patching, upgrades, and version control across hybrid environments
• Architect and implement infrastructure automation for Linux and networking stacks
• Drive CI/CD practices using Jenkins, Git workflows, and infrastructure-as-code principles
• Spearhead infrastructure refreshes and build-outs across data centers and public clouds
• Design and deploy next-gen cloud networking and connectivity solutions for scale and performance
• Manage strategic initiatives with support from senior staff and cross-functional leads
• Ensure alignment with business goals, timelines, and compliance standards
• Lead incident reviews and operational support efforts in partnership with vendors and partners
• Establish best practices for monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement
• Mentor junior engineers and peers, providing technical guidance, career development support, and fostering a culture of learning and ownership
• Must participate in 24x7 on call rotation 1 week on-call shifts

• Strategic thinker with a bias for action and continuous improvement
• Excellent communicator with experience translating technical insights for executive audiences
• Familiarity with vendor management and multi-region infrastructure operations
• Passion for mentorship and team development, with a track record of elevating others
• Expertise in Linux systems, cloud networking, and automation frameworks
• Proficiency with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, Git) and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible)
• Strong understanding of hybrid cloud architectures and connectivity models
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor technical teams

• Bachelor's degree in computer science
• 7+ years in network infrastructure engineering, with cloud and data center experience