Network Upgrade Engineer; TIER III Security Clearance

Position: Network Upgrade Engineer(TIER III) with Security Clearance
Red Key IT Solutions has an opening for a Network Upgrade Engineer to support the Network Operations Team in providing timely network vulnerability remediation.

Job Duties /Responsibilities:
Assess current network infrastructure and identify areas needing upgrades.
Coordinate with worldwide partners to plan and schedule patch deployments, minimizing disruptions to operations.
Collaborate with security teams to prioritize patching efforts based on the severity and impact of vulnerabilities.
Perform firmware and software updates on existing network devices.
Utilize automated patch management tools to streamline the patching process.
Monitor the network post-upgrade to ensure stability and performance.
Troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during and after the upgrade process.
Conduct thorough testing to ensure network performance, reliability, and security.
Maintain comprehensive documentation of all patch management activities, including patch status, deployment schedules, and testing results.
Communicate upgrade plans and progress to stakeholders.
Ensure all network upgrades adhere to security policies and standards.
Continuously evaluate and improve patch management processes and tools.
Stay updated with the latest developments in patch management technology and best practices.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements related to patch management.
Assess the risks associated with delaying or not applying certain patches.
Work closely with other incident response teams to ensure rapid remediation of vulnerabilities.
Required Clearance: TS-SCI with Fullscope poly

Required Qualifications:

Strong understanding of network protocols, devices (e.g., routers, switches, firewalls), and network architectures.
Proficiency with network patch management tools and systems, such as Cisco NSO, Solar Winds Network Configuration Manager, or similar solutions.
Knowledge of various network operating systems, such as Cisco IOS, Juniper Junos, and others.
Knowledge of vulnerability assessment tools and network security tools.
Experience in network administration, network security, or a similar role, with a focus on patch management.
Experience in conducting vulnerability assessments and risk analysis for network devices.
Experience in responding to network security incidents and applying emergency patches.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of patch deployments.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively coordinate with various IT teams and stakeholders.
High attention to detail to ensure accurate documentation and reporting of network patch management activities.
Candidate must have a total of 10 years of applicable experience. The experience can be a combination of degree and work history. This can be a High School degree and 10 years of work history OR an Associate’s and 8 years, a Bachelors’ and 6 years, a Masters and 4 years of work history.
Desired

Qualifications:

Service Now, Splunk, Tableau, Power Bi and other data visualization tools experience
Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) to automate patch deployment processes for network devices.
Certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or similar credentials.