Senior Network Engineer

The Senior Network Engineer is a hands-on technical expert responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, and advanced troubleshooting of a large-scale, mission-critical Cisco enterprise network. This role provides senior-level engineering leadership across wired, wireless, data center, and WAN environments supporting academic instruction, research, healthcare-adjacent programs, and administrative operations.

This position serves as a technical escalation point for complex network issues, leads major infrastructure initiatives, and partners closely with security, systems, cloud, and application teams to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of enterprise network services.

Essential Functions

Network Engineering & Implementation

* Engineer, implement, and enhance enterprise network solutions across wired, wireless, WAN, and security domains.

* Translate approved designs and standards into production-ready configurations and implementations.

* Lead technical execution for network upgrades, expansions, and major changes.

* Validate configurations and changes to ensure performance, resilience, and security requirements are met.

Advanced Troubleshooting & Escalation

* Serve as the escalation point for complex or non-routine network issues beyond administrative support.

* Perform deep technical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective engineering actions.

* Resolve systemic performance, stability, and interoperability issues.

* Support post-incident analysis and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

Security Engineering & Controls

* Engineer and implement network security controls including segmentation, access control, firewall policies, and secure remote connectivity.

* Partner with Information Security to implement security requirements aligned with FERPA, HIPAA, PCI, and institutional standards.

* Support vulnerability remediation and security-driven network changes.

Standards, Lifecycle & Optimization

* Implement and enforce network engineering standards and best practices.

* Participate in lifecycle planning for network hardware, software, and licensing.

* Evaluate and test new features, platforms, and capabilities within existing network standards.

* Ensure engineered solutions are operationally supportable by Network Administrators.

Collaboration & Technical Leadership

* Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Network Administrators.

* Work with cross-functional IT teams to deliver integrated infrastructure solutions.

* Coordinate with vendors and service providers on complex technical issues and implementations.

* Clearly document engineered solutions and transition them into operational support.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.

* Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Required

* 8+ years of experience in network engineering roles.

* Experience with ACI

* Experience with Cisco SDA

* Cisco Enterprise routing and switching

* Cisco wireless networks

* Cisco VPN technologies

* Palo Alto Firewalls

* Demonstrated experience implementing and supporting complex network environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Deep hands-on experience with Cisco enterprise networking technologies

* Proven ability to troubleshoot complex, multi-layer network issues under pressure

* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

* Cisco Hardware & Cisco IOS

* DHCP and DNS

* Ethernet

* Fiber Optics - Network

* Data Center Operations

* Network Security Fundamentals

* Performance Tuning/Monitoring

* Accountability & Adaptability

* Collaboration and teamwork

* Customer Relationship Management

* Innovative/creative thinking

* Mission/Service orientation

* Backup Management Systems

* Telecommunications - Video/Voice

* Wireless Networking

* Network Security Principles

* Network operating systems

* Equipment configuration, testing, and repair

* Knowledge of network protocols

* Knowledge of Server operating systems.

* Network evaluation using standard tools.

* Ability to accurately diagnose problems.

* Operate network test equipment

* Openness (zest) for learning

* Results orientation

* Vendor Relationship Management

* Oral/written communication

* Time Management

* Technical Writing

* Problem Solving

Licenses/Certifications

* CCNA/CCNP Preferred

* ITIL certification or achieve certification within 6 months of hire