Technical Project Lead

Technical Project Manager – Secure Networking & Integration (Zurich)

Freelance OR Permanent 

We are seeking a hands-on Technical Project Manager with deep expertise in network integration, routing protocols, PKI infrastructures, and IAM solutions. You will drive the successful design, integration, and delivery of secure communication and data platforms — coordinating multiple vendors while staying technically involved in architecture, validation, and deployment.

This is not a purely administrative PM role. You will be expected to understand, challenge, and guide technical decisions related to OSPF / IPv4 routing, identity and access management, and public key infrastructure (PKI) in complex, secure environments.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end technical delivery of complex integration projects involving PKI, IAM, networking, and security components.
• Coordinate and technically steer vendors responsible for routing, voice, and firewall configurations.
• Act as the technical interface between architecture, engineering, and customer teams — ensuring all components integrate seamlessly.
• Review and validate technical designs for:
  • Routing (OSPF v2, IPv4, IP addressing, subnetting, failover, QoS)
  • PKI infrastructure (certificate hierarchies, CRLs, key management)
  • IAM (Identity Federation, SSO, MFA, Role-based access, LDAP integration)
  • Firewalls & REST API integrations (secure endpoint design, certificate-based authentication)
• Lead integration testing, validation, and deployment across data and voice environments.
• Drive continuous improvement in automation, monitoring, and CI/CD delivery pipelines.
• Manage project rhythm and milestones: PI Planning, Sprint Reviews, Go/No-Go readiness.

Required Technical Expertise

• Networking & Routing:
  • Expert knowledge of IP networking, OSPF v2, IPv4/IPv6 addressing, routing tables, and path optimization.
  • Understanding of VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, and load balancing concepts.
• Security & PKI:
  • Experience designing or operating PKI infrastructures — CA hierarchy, certificate lifecycle, HSMs, OCSP/CRL management.
  • Knowledge of secure key distribution and encryption standards.
• IAM (Identity & Access Management):
  • Practical experience with integration of IAM systems (Azure AD, Keycloak, Okta, or similar).
  • Familiarity with SAML, OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and federation principles.
• Integration & Systems Engineering:
  • REST API deployment and integration.
  • Experience working in Linux-based environments, virtualization (VMware/KVM), and secure networks.
  • Understanding of DevOps pipelines (GitLab CI/CD, Ansible, or similar) for deployment automation.

Profile

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Network Engineering.
• 5+ years leading technically complex projects in network or security infrastructure domains.
• Comfortable reading and discussing detailed technical configurations (routing, certificates, access policies).
• Strong coordination and vendor management skills — balancing delivery timelines with technical integrity.
• Fluent in German (C1/C2) and English (C1); French a plus.
• Based in Zurich area (within 100 km) — on-site presence required several days per week.

Nice to Have

• Experience in air-gapped or secure network environments.
• Exposure to ISO 27001, EN 9100, or MIL-STD standards.
• Background in sensor systems, avionics, or defense integration projects.