Network Engineer

Contract to Hire

We are seeking an experienced Network Engineer / Architect to join our IT team and take a lead role in the design, implementation, optimization, security, and ongoing support of our enterprise and hybrid cloud network environments. This role requires deep hands‑on expertise in datacenter networking, private connectivity (carrier circuits), and cloud integration, including the routing of enterprise traffic between on‑premises infrastructure and public cloud platforms.

This position will be expected to take ownership of the enterprise network environment, serving as the primary technical authority responsible for architecture, standards, resilience, and long‑term evolution of the network.

• Design, implement, and support enterprise network architectures, including LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, and firewall environments
• Define and approve network design patterns, standards, and tooling
• Lead configuration, optimization, and troubleshooting of routing, switching, and security platforms in primarily Cisco‑based environments
• Own and evolve network security controls, including firewalls, VPNs, segmentation, access controls, and monitoring
• Act as a technical escalation point for complex network issues and outages, driving root cause analysis and long‑term remediation
• Develop, maintain, and enforce network standards, architecture diagrams, and operational documentation
• Plan and execute network changes following ITIL‑based change management and best practices
• Partner with vendors, service providers, and data centers on design reviews, implementations, upgrades, and support cases
• Monitor network health, capacity, and performance; proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities
• Support and enhance cloud and hybrid networking architectures (Azure preferred)
• Oversee and support enterprise VoIP solutions and supporting network infrastructure
• Contribute to disaster recovery planning, testing, and network resiliency initiatives
• Mentor junior team members and provide technical guidance where appropriate
• Participate in infrastructure projects and cross‑functional initiatives as a networking subject matter expert
• Participate in on‑call rotation or after‑hours support as needed

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)

Certifications (Preferred)

• Cisco CCNP (or equivalent Juniper certification)
• CCNA minimum; advanced certifications strongly preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in network engineering or advanced network administration roles
• Demonstrated experience designing and supporting enterprise‑scale Cisco routing and switching environments
• Hands‑on experience supporting firewalls and network security platforms in production environments

Skills And Technical Expertise

• Advanced expertise in switching technologies (VLANs, STP, trunking, Ether Channel, QoS)
• Strong hands‑on experience with Cisco Catalyst and Nexus platforms
• In‑depth knowledge of routing protocols (EIGRP, OSPF, BGP) and enterprise routing design
• Proven experience with network security and firewall technologies (ACLs, IPSec VPNs, NAT/PAT, certificates)
• Experience supporting enterprise services such as DNS, DHCP, and authentication services (Windows environments preferred)
• Familiarity with cloud and hybrid networking concepts, particularly in Microsoft Azure and AWS
• Experience with network monitoring, logging, and alerting tools
• Working knowledge of RADIUS / AAA for wired and wireless authentication
• Experience supporting VoIP platforms (Ring Central or similar preferred)
• Ability to independently lead technical efforts while collaborating effectively across teams
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to lift and install network and server equipment as needed