Senior Network Engineer

This nationwide industry leader has an immediate 6 month contract-to-hire opportunity in Irving, TX for a Senior Network Engineer.  Key requirements for this role are heavy Cisco, SD-WAN, Palo Alto, and Meraki experience. The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for providing day-to-day administrative and top level engineering support for the organization’s network infrastructure, hosting approximately 100 locations. Will be responsible for supporting the daily operation of LAN/WAN/WLAN/SD-WAN and VPN communications, including data traffic, data security, and problem resolution. This position is a senior member of the IT Team and he/she will work closely with other team members to collectively design, monitor, enhance and support the overall network infrastructure of the organization.

Key Responsibilities include:
•    Managing Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, VPN, Firewalls, Wireless, Switches, Routers, Configuration Backups and other network-related systems.
•    Mentoring or providing guidance to other IT team members in executing tasks related to network components.
•    Maintaining excellent documentation, working diagrams and inventory lists.
•    Developing, designing, optimizing, and documenting network topology and architecture to support systems reliability, security, scalability, management, data integrity and performance, including providing critical support in areas of network engineering configuration and deployment assistance.
•    Providing elevated networking support of routing equipment, VOIP systems and traditional telecommunications systems.
•    Managing and frequently updating network configuration settings for internal and external systems, including setting up DNS, DHCP, VPN, and VLANs.
•    Modifying both core and edge firewalls, routers and switch configurations as needed.
•    Providing escalation support for technical production (infrastructure) issues and follow through to satisfactory resolution.
•    Coordinating install, repair or maintenance of network and telecom hardware equipment.
•    Working with IT Service Delivery Manager to maintain hardware and software inventory to ensure compliance and asset management.
•    Documenting and logging changes to network equipment, computer systems, and other equipment.
•    Accurately documenting all new system implementations and modifications to existing systems (moves, adds, changes).
•    Researching and providing expertise on integration of third-party software and tools.
•    Assisting in Disaster Recovery planning, development and implementation.
•    Ensuring compliance with IT Security and Governance processes, such as Change control and PCI.
•    Working with IT Management to identify and implement technical and service improvements.
•    Ensuring technology documents/certificates such as product registrations, licensing, activations, SSL certificates, maintenance agreements, service contracts, etc. related to technology operations and/or technology services are evaluated, updated and processed.
•    Ensuring networks, and associated software applications are operational; ensures hardware and software is patched and/or updated; ensures all analog and broadband circuits are operational in accordance with vendor specifications.
•    Ensuring the availability, continuity and security of data and information pertaining to the organization.
•    Maintaining knowledge on current technology and evaluates new technologies to gain business efficiencies.
•    Developing and maintaining an excellent working relationship throughout the organization, ensuring the department is well received and presented professionally and positively.
•    Respecting confidentiality in discussing staff and organizational matters; also maintaining confidentiality of organization, project, fiscal and personnel related information.

Key requirements:
•    5+ years of hands-on experience as a Senior Network Engineer.
•    Solid understanding of network protocols and ports (TCP/IP, SSH, FTP, ICA, HTTPS, etc.)
•    Knowledge of applicable security and privacy practices and laws
•    Cisco, SD-WAN, Palo Alto, and Meraki experience required.
•    Cisco Call Manager or Call Manager Express experience strongly preferred
•    Certifications preferred (CCIE, CCNP, etc.)
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills.
•    Strong customer focus
•    Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.