Network Engineer

Summary:

The Network Engineer is responsible for designing, configuring, maintaining, and optimizing network infrastructure within an organization or between multiple organizations. This professional provides support to users, staff members, clients, and suppliers, ensuring the reliability and security of network systems. The role involves troubleshooting complex network issues, performing system upgrades, and implementing security measures. As a part of the network team, the Network Engineer will manage various network devices and services such as routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs while collaborating with other teams to maintain a robust and secure network environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Network Design & Setup: Design, install, and configure various network devices and services, including routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, VPNs, and Quality of Service (QoS) configurations.
• Maintenance & Upgrades: Perform routine network maintenance and system upgrades, including applying service packs, patches, hot fixes, and security configurations to ensure optimal performance and security.
• Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor network performance, system availability, and resource utilization to ensure reliability and prevent downtime. Conduct capacity planning and trending analyses to support scalability.
• Troubleshooting: Provide Level-2/3 support for network-related issues, identifying and resolving complex problems that affect network performance or availability.
• Security & Compliance: Collaborate with the company’s security team to select and implement security tools, policies, and procedures. Ensure network infrastructure complies with security standards and guidelines.
• Network Monitoring: Use network monitoring tools to proactively track the health of the network, identify potential issues, and ensure systems are operating efficiently.
• Configuration & Change Management: Work within established configuration and change management policies to ensure network changes are made with proper approval and documentation, minimizing disruptions and ensuring success.
• Collaboration: Work closely with IT teams, security personnel, and business stakeholders to resolve network issues, implement improvements, and align network performance with business needs.
• Documentation & Reporting: Create and maintain accurate network documentation, including configuration settings, network diagrams, troubleshooting procedures, and capacity planning reports.
• On-Call Support: Participate in the on-call rotation to provide second-level support during off-hours and ensure uninterrupted network services.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience: 7+ years of experience in network administration, engineering, and design, with a strong background in enterprise-level network management.
• Cisco Expertise: Proficient with Cisco routing, switching, wireless, and authentication technologies (IOS, IOS-XE, NX-OS), including experience with Cisco wireless controllers and ISE central authentication.
• Security Knowledge: Hands-on experience with Palo Alto firewalls, SSL VPNs, next-generation firewall technologies, and the ability to implement network security best practices.
• SD-WAN & Cloud Networking: Experience with SD-WAN technologies and cloud networking solutions (IPsec, VNET/VPC, vWAN, transit gateways, route tables).
• Layer 2 & Layer 3 Protocols: Strong understanding of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols, including VLAN, ARP, BGP, OSPF, NAT+PAT, and VPN configurations.
• Troubleshooting Skills: Excellent ability to diagnose and resolve complex network issues at Level-2/3 support.
• Network Monitoring: Experience with network monitoring tools, system resource utilization, trending, and capacity planning.
• Change Management: Familiarity with change management processes to ensure network infrastructure changes are handled smoothly and documented properly.
• Technical Leadership: Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams on network-related projects.
• Documentation Skills: Proficiency in creating and maintaining network documentation, including network diagrams and configuration manuals.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to report network status and issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Security Tools Implementation: Experience implementing and configuring network security tools, such as firewalls and VPNs, in collaboration with a security team.
• On-Call Flexibility: Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation to support network operations during off-hours.

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Certifications: Cisco certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE), Palo Alto, or equivalent network certifications are highly desirable.
• ITIL Knowledge: Familiarity with ITIL practices, particularly in incident and change management processes.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving network issues before they impact business operations.
• Passion for Technology: Enthusiastic about networking technologies and emerging trends in network management.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in both leadership and collaborative roles within a team-oriented environment.
• Cloud Experience: Familiarity with cloud networking and hybrid network architectures, particularly within public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).