Director - Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering
United Airlines Holdings
Chicago, IL · Posted November 6, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
Want recruiters in Security to be able to find you?
Roles at this level, like this one at United Airlines Holdings, are often filled through recruiters.
See every open role at United Airlines Holdings
More in Illinois job market · Transportation & Logistics · Security jobs
More roles at United Airlines Holdings
- Managing Director - Quality Control (Chief Inspector) · Chicago, IL
- Managing Director - Digital Infrastructure and Reliability · Chicago, IL
- Principal- Quality Engineering · Chicago, IL
- Sr. Manager - IT App Dev Loyalty · Chicago, IL
- Senior Developer – Procurement Technology (Techno-Functional) · Chicago, IL
- Senior Business Analyst - Digital Products (Chicago or Houston) · Chicago, IL
Similar jobs
- Global Director, Physical Security · WSP USA Services · Chicago, IL
- Sr Director, Global Security · Mondelez International · Chicago, IL
- Director, Security Protective Services · AbbVie · IL
- Director, Senior Cyber Broker - NA FINEX · WTW · Chicago, IL
- Director, Senior Cyber Broker - NA FINEX · Willis Towers Watson · Chicago, IL
- Consulting Director, AI Security · 2T Consulting · Chicago, IL
Where Chicago, IL ranks
Where Chicago, IL placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for government pay after cost of living$146k · of 18
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest684 jobs · of 51
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes684 jobs · of 36
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Midwest1,140 openings · of 59
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Great Lakes1,140 openings · of 48
- #1Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Midwest80 / 100 · of 20
Rankings about security jobs
- Best cities for security jobs #1 San Francisco (316 openings)
- Best cities for security pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($241k)
- Most requested AI skills in security jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (10.8%)
- Employers with the most security jobs #1 Amazon (318 roles)
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.
Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.
Description
United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.
Job Overview and Responsibilities
Enterprise Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering is leading a bold transformation for United Airlines, infusing AI-driven automation, modern network infrastructure security, and next-generation engineering and IoT into every layer of our global network. This role owns that transformation, architecting and securing the enterprise software-defined network across our campuses, airports, remote workforce, and public cloud, while engineering an intelligent, self-healing network that predicts and prevents issues before they affect the airline. This leader will guide our technology, vendor, and people strategy as networking converges with AI/ML, cybersecurity, and cloud-native engineering. Enterprise Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering is part of our Digital Technology organization, focused on enabling the entirety of United Airlines and all of its divisions with advanced, secure, and intelligent infrastructure.
Lead the organization's AI-driven network transformation, engineering AI/ML, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation into the network's design to build self-healing capabilities, eliminate manual configuration, and detect and prevent issues before they impact the airline
Own network infrastructure security strategy and execution, advancing zero-trust architecture, secure access, and end-to-end network segmentation in partnership with cybersecurity leadership to protect United's critical infrastructure, data, and airline operations.
Lead network engineering and architecture for a modern, software-defined network, advancing SD-WAN, cloud connectivity, application services, and network automation and orchestration as networking converges with the public cloud and SaaS.
Architect and engineer secure, resilient connectivity across all airports, campus and remote offices, contact centers, cloud, and third-party network connections, embedding network security controls, threat protection, and compliance requirements into network designs and holding vendors to United's engineering and security standards.
Lead and develop a large team of world-class network engineering and network security engineering talent focused on networking at true enterprise scale with an emphasis on secure connectivity, network access, segmentation, and infrastructure resiliency.
Operate as a thought leader internally and externally on AI-enabled, secure, next-generation networking. Establish network architecture and infrastructure security standards, lead design and threat-model reviews, and partner with cybersecurity on vulnerability remediation and security hardening across the network.
Qualifications
What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field
CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent advanced network engineering certification
8+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture
5+ years of experience leading network security, cybersecurity, or zero-trust initiatives
5+ years of experience applying AI/ML or intelligent automation to network engineering or network security
5+ years of experience managing network engineering and/or network security teams at scale
5+ years of experience working in or adjacent to a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
Deep expertise in network engineering and architecture, including SD-WAN, routing/switching, and software-defined networking
Strong knowledge of network and cybersecurity principles, including zero-trust architecture, segmentation, and secure access
Working knowledge of AI/ML and automation tools and their practical application to network engineering and security
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related field
CISSP, CCSP, or equivalent network/cloud security certification
AWS, Azure, or GCP cloud certification
AI/ML, data science, or network automation certification, or equivalent applied experience
10+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture
Excellent strategic communication and influence skills with a passion for enablement
Experience hiring, managing and growing diverse teams in multiple disparate physical locations
Excellent track record of vendor management at large scale
Experience leveraging AI/ML and automation to drive network efficiency, reliability, and innovation
Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy and security
The base pay range for this role is $183,730.00 to $239,228.00. The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.
You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.
United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com