Lead Network Engineer

Job Overview

We are seeking a Network Lead to join our team. We are a rapidly growing company with a dynamic IT organization. We are seeking a versatile individual who can adapt to various roles and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be versatile, highly motivated, with a strong eagerness to learn and grow.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ownership of all on-prem and cloud network infrastructure.
• Monitor network performance and proactively address potential issues to ensure optimal uptime.
• Configure and manage firewalls to protect the organization’s network and enforce security policies.
• Implement and manage switching and routing technologies, including VLANs, dynamic routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP), and Layer 3 networking.
• Support wireless network operations, ensuring secure, high-performance connectivity for users and devices.
• Implement network redundancy plans to minimize downtime, including backup circuits, failover systems, and high-availability configurations.
• Perform network troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve hardware, software, or other network issues promptly.
• Manage network security by implementing intrusion detection systems, monitoring for security breaches, and enforcing network policies.
• Collaborate with various teams to ensure proper integration of network resources with overall IT infrastructure. Such as HVAC systems, security cameras, manufacturing equipment, and more.
• Implement and maintain VPNs and remote access solutions for employees.
• Ensure network compliance with industry standards and regulations, particularly around data security and privacy.
• Document network configurations, changes, and procedures to ensure accurate and up-to-date network records.
• Manage network expansion, upgrades, patches, and fixes, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Network Administrator, with strong knowledge of wireless, firewalls, switching, routing, and ISP management.
• Certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, or equivalent.
• Experience with firewall management (Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or similar) and proficiency in routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP is expected.
• The candidate should have knowledge of switching technologies like VLANs, trunking, and Layer 2 security, along with experience in wireless networking technologies (WPA2, WPA3, 802.11 standards).
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, Nagios, or PRTG, along with experience in multi-ISP management and ensuring redundant internet connectivity through failover and load balancing.
• Experience with VPNs, network segmentation, and remote access technologies is required, as well as a strong understanding of network security principles including encryption, IPS/IDS, and network hardening.
• The candidate should demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure, along with strong documentation skills for maintaining network infrastructure records.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 
• Experience with cloud networking technologies (AWS, Azure) and familiarity with VoIP systems and managing network bandwidth for voice and video traffic is advantageous.
• Knowledge of load balancers, WAN optimization, and network redundancy strategies would be beneficial.