Level 2 Network Engineer – Advisory Services Chicagoland area

Location

Chicagoland (Hybrid / On-Site as Needed)

7 Layer Solutions Inc.

7 Layer is a Chicago-based technology advisory and cybersecurity firm built around accountability, real-world execution, and long-term client partnerships. We operate at the intersection of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and business strategy—helping organizations build secure, scalable environments that support growth. Our Advisory Services team works on high-impact assessments, redesigns, and transformation projects. We move fast, take ownership, and expect our engineers to think like consultants, not just technicians.

We’re looking for a Network Engineer (3–5 years’ experience) to join our Advisory Services & Projects team. This role is focused on network assessments, client advisory, security-driven design, and project implementation—not standard help desk or ticket-driven support. You’ll work directly with business owners, IT leaders, and security teams to evaluate real-world environments, identify risk, and lead infrastructure improvements across the Chicagoland market.

This is an ideal role for someone who wants to grow out of pure support work and into true engineering and consulting.

• Lead network and security assessments across client environments
• Identify risk, performance gaps, and security exposures
• Build remediation roadmaps and project scopes
• Design and implement:
  • Network refreshes and upgrades
  • Firewall replacements & security improvements
  • Wireless redesigns and optimizations
• Configure and deploy:
  • * Meraki (Firewalls, Switches, APs)
  • * Fortinet (Firewalls, Switches, APs)
  • Palo Alto firewalls
  • Sonic Wall firewalls
• Design and support:
  • VLAN segmentation
  • Secure VPN solutions (site-to-site + client VPN)
  • NAT and routing policies
• Partner with our cybersecurity and compliance teams on:
  • Network hardening
  • Zero-trust initiatives
  • Segmented security architecture
• Participate in:
  • Pre-sales technical discovery
  • Solution design
  • Client presentations and post-assessment reviews
• Produce:
  • Clean network diagrams
  • Assessment reports
  • Project documentation

• 3–5 years of hands‑on network engineering experience
• Strong experience with:
  • Meraki
  • Fortinet
• Solid understanding of:
  • TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP
  • VLANs, routing, NAT
  • IPSec & SSL VPNs
  • Network security fundamentals
  • Azure/AWS Cloud networking concepts (VNET/VPC design, cloud firewalls/gateways)
• Experience with:
  • Network assessments>
  • Project delivery
  • Client‑facing technical work

• CCNA, PCNSA
• Wireless design & troubleshooting
• Network monitoring or traffic analysis tools
• Exposure to compliance‑driven environments (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI, etc.)