Network Solution Lead

SKF has been around for more than a century and today we are one of the world’s largest global suppliers of bearings and supporting solutions for rotating equipment. Our products can be found literally everywhere in society. This means that we are an important part of the everyday lives of people and companies around the world.

In September of 2024, SKF announced the separation of its Automotive business, with the objective of building two world-leading businesses. The role you are applying for will be part of the automotive business. This means you will have the opportunity to be a part of shaping a new company aimed at meeting the needs of the transforming global automotive market. 

Would you like to join us in shaping the future of motion?  We are now looking for a

IT Infrastructure & Service Management - Automotive Business

We are in the process of identifying a suitable candidate for the role of Network Solution Lead or Architect in a global industrial manufacturing environment, with a strong track record covering both OT (factory/industrial) networks and enterprise/cloud connectivity.

The Network Solution Lead plays a pivotal role in ensuring that both industrial (OT) and enterprise (IT) networks are robust, secure, and future-ready—enabling seamless operations and continuous innovation across all business units. By designing and governing scalable network solutions that bridge OT and IT/cloud environments, this role ensures that data communication is as reliable as essential utilities and empowers teams to self-serve within automated, standardized frameworks.

Operating within a highly outsourced environment, the role sets the strategic direction, principles, and guardrails, while Digital Service Managers (DSMs) and platform owners (hosting, workplace, identity, network, etc.) own the implementation and operational execution. The Network Solution Lead partners closely with DSMs to translate strategy into actionable designs and roadmaps, providing expert guidance while DSMs and vendors carry out delivery.

Ultimately, this position drives the transformation from traditional network architectures to a modern, Zero Trust model aligned to evolving business needs. It balances hands-on credibility in plants, labs, and production with high-level architecture, roadmapping, and governance across OT and IT/cloud connectivity.

   
Key responsibilities (or What you can expect in the role) 

• Set strategic direction: Define network strategies, principles, and architectural standards for OT and IT environments; ensure alignment with organizational goals and future growth.

• Develop and maintain multi-year roadmaps for the evolution of OT and IT network platforms and services, ensuring alignment with business growth and technology trends.

• Partner across platforms: Collaborate closely with DSMs and platform owners (hosting, workplace, identity, network, etc.) to ensure strategies and principles are actionable, communicated, and adopted. DSMs own execution: this role provides expert guidance and oversight.

• Support DSMs in outcome-based delivery with vendors: Guide and govern external vendors to deliver outcome-based services that meet defined performance, security, and compliance outcomes; act as the quality assurance authority in partnership with DSMs.

• Translate business needs into clear technical specifications, collaborating closely with product development, test labs, factory teams, and global stakeholders to deliver effective network solutions.

• Foster strong relationships across business units to ensure network strategies align with organizational goals and operational requirements.

• Define and maintain end-to-end architectures across OT and IT, ensuring availability, reliability, security, compliance, and scalability for all sites and cloud connectivity.

• Lead the design and collaborate with DSMs and vendors on the deployment of factory and operational networks, including segmentation, time sensitive networking, and support for industrial protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, CIP, and PTP

• Govern enterprise WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN, and cloud connectivity, ensuring secure and efficient Internet breakout in tight collaboration with DSMs and vendors.

• Partner with Cyber Security to embed Zero Trust principles, PKI/certificates, and ensure comprehensive threat protection across OT and IT domains; maintain audit readiness and risk mitigation.

• Lead the design and support DSMs and vendors in the implementation of core network services, including DHCP, DNS, and IP Address Management (IPAM), with operations executed by external vendors under DSM oversight.

• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies that enhance resilience, performance, and operability; standardize and automate repeatable tasks and policies to drive efficiency—working tightly with DSMs and vendors.

• Collaborate with DSMs and vendors to provide improvements in network availability, reliability, and performance through proactive monitoring and optimization.

• Provide expert input during major incidents or disturbances, supporting post-incident analysis and remediation to prevent recurrence.

• Develop and maintain robust processes for network device inventory management, leveraging tools for operational tracking and supporting integration with ServiceNow CMDB for enterprise asset management.

Requirements (or We expect you to have/be) 

Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of industrial protocols (Modbus, Profinet, CIP, PTP); hands-on experience with Cisco switching/routing, firewalls/IPS, SD-WAN, VPN, WLAN, 4G/5G; ability to design/manage cloud connectivity and hybrid environments; strong grasp of Zero Trust and PKI/certificates. Experience overseeing platforms/solutions such as Cisco, Zscaler, and Aviatrix.

Certifications (Preferred): Cisco CCNP, CISSP/CCSP, TOGAF, ITIL Strategic Leadership, Azure Solution Architect Expert, CRISC, or equivalent.

Leadership & Collaboration: Excellent leadership skills with the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, global setting. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional analytical and troubleshooting abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving complex network challenges.

Language: Fluent in English

Education & Experience – 

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

You will enjoy working here if you are

• Proactive and Self-Motivated: You take initiative and are driven to achieve your goals without constant supervision.
• Excellent Communicator: You have strong interpersonal skills and can effectively convey ideas and build rapport with clients.
• Adaptable and Resilient: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can quickly adjust to changing market conditions.
• Customer-Centric: You prioritize customer satisfaction and are committed to understanding and meeting their needs.

SKF is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we firmly believe that a diverse workforce is essential for our continued success. Therefore, we only focus on your experience, skills, and potential. Come as you are – just be yourself. #weareSKF

Some additional information 

This position will be located in Pune/Bangalore

   
If you have any questions about the position or regarding the recruitment process, please contact Sonam Dalal, Consultant, RPO by email sonam.dalal@skf.com

Is this you?  
If the answer is yes, submit your application with your CV in English no later than 2-March-2026.   Please note that we can't accept applications via email. 
We will screen candidates continuously throughout the application period, so make sure to submit your application as soon as possible.

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At SKF, we are committed to promoting fairness and inclusivity throughout our recruitment process. To achieve this, we may include assessments and verify the information in your application in compliance with country-specific laws and regulations. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the recruiter.