Cisco Catalyst Engineer

Title

Network Engineer

Rockville, MD

6 Months Contract to Hire (C2H)

For 6 months this would be Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 days remote (unless the job requires more onsite). After converting to Full-Time, 4 days in office, 1 day remote. Required in-person interview. Required experience 5 to 10 Years for this position.

The Network Engineer supports the organization's network infrastructure by assisting with routing and switching operations, troubleshooting network issues, and maintaining documentation. This role focuses on developing foundational networking skills while contributing to the stability, performance, and security of the enterprise network.

• Assist in supporting network infrastructure, including basic break/fix tasks and routine installations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve entry-level network hardware and software issues under senior guidance.
• Monitor network activity to identify irregularities and elevate issues appropriately.
• Support network uptime and health monitoring to ensure availability of critical systems.
• Assist with IOS patch management tasks as directed.
• Help maintain network availability in alignment with Service Level Agreements.
• Participate in capacity and performance assessments to understand network growth needs.
• Provide input on network design improvements focused on routing and switching.
• Assist with coordination of vendors and service providers during project tasks.
• Create and maintain accurate network documentation following organizational SOPs.
• Research and recommend basic hardware or software updates to improve network performance.
• Support evaluation of new equipment for compatibility with existing systems.
• Participate in disaster recovery exercises and planning activities.
• Provide limited support for F5 load balancer tasks under supervision.
• Assist with Wi‑Fi troubleshooting and basic wireless configuration tasks.
• Participate in on‑call support and occasional off‑hours maintenance/project work including Saturdays and Sundays.
• Work onsite during the workweek.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent work experience) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Proven experience with Cisco networking technologies, backed by an active CCNA certification.

• Three (3) years of experience in network support, administration, or related IT functions.
• Foundational knowledge of enterprise networking platforms, especially Cisco and/or Juniper.
• Strong interest and developing expertise in routing and switching technologies.
• Basic understanding of firewall concepts and administration.
• Knowledge of VLANs and network segmentation strategies.
• Familiarity with network security principles such as VPNs, IPSEC, 802.1x, and RADIUS.
• Exposure to F5 load balancers (basic understanding).
• Exposure to Wi‑Fi technologies and wireless troubleshooting.
• Ability to use network monitoring tools and follow troubleshooting methodologies.
• Ability to monitor network usage and elevate potential issues.
• Collaborative mindset for working with application and infrastructure teams.
• Ability to learn emerging technologies quickly and independently.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced IT environment and manage shifting priorities.
• Ability to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.