Purpose/Summary

The Network Engineer ensures the stability and integrity of the data circuits, network hardware and wireless capabilities for each site Local Area Network as well as the North American Wide Area Network. The Network Engineer will oversee and participate with the installation, monitoring, maintenance, support, optimization and documentation of all network hardware, software, and communication links. This Includes managing multiple projects, planning network technology roadmaps, and configuring/optimizing network services both internally and those integrated with Internet-based services. The Network Engineer will be responsible for reporting on customer and vendor SLAs and track outage and issue status reporting related to network issues with all data and equipment providers. This individual will also analyze and resolve network service problems in a timely and accurate fashion, and provide reports, documentation, and training where required.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Hands on background configuring switches, routers and firewalls to support multi-site LAN’s, Internet access and the Enterprise WAN including design and support of failover configurations.

• Intermediate to Advanced level of experience designing and configuring BGP, OSFP, VTI’s, ACL, QoS, STP, VLAN, LACP and related protocols. Experience with SDWAN technologies a plus.

• Coordinates network projects related to new construction, building expansions and upgrades to existing facilities working with on-site staff and vendors to develop RFQ’s for outsourced work and hardware acquisition related to network needs.

• Manage, document and maintain status on multiple projects at any given time serving as the Project Manager for multiple infrastructure network projects at all North American sites including building expansion projects. This position requires technical Network Engineer abilities, IT Project Management skills and Vendor Relationship experience.

• Enter all network devices in the network monitoring system, currently SolarWinds, and make sure SNMP monitoring and configuration changes are functioning and follow a change and configuration management policy. Monitor WAN performance and performs necessary network maintenance and upgrades.

• Develop, implement, and maintain the processes and documentation for network management (e.g. asset, capacity, change, configuration, continuity, life cycle, problem, vendor, and support contract tracking) for the purpose of effective processes.

• Firewall experience with Fortinet Fortigate product lines, or similar policy based firewall systems. Capable of setting up new firewall policies and able to troubleshoot and determine policy setting issues with outside connections.

• Able to design, test and deploy network infrastructure upgrades for all network hardware and data circuits across North America.

Education and/or Experience (minimum required for the position)

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science or related field, plus a minimum of 5 years related experience or any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to apply logic to determine and troubleshoot causes of errors, failures and other factors that cause operational problems.
• Knowledge of current technology trends and the ability to understand the implications of gained knowledge to apply to problem-solving and decision-making situations.
• Skills in cost benefit analysis and evaluation of the impact and cost of situations to determine appropriate directions.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Skill in setting and achieving challenging goals, ability to demonstrate persistence to overcomes obstacles and the willingness to be self-motivated to become knowledgeable about ongoing technology trends.
• Ability to be extremely organized, results driven, with the ability to handle diverse assignments concurrently.
• Critical thinking including strong analytical/problem solving skills, including the ability to partner with others to analyze and solve issues.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to perform essential duties.
• Ability to develop instructions and guidelines to perform functions of the job when necessary.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility. However, this position is required to provide leadership to the other IT personnel on site, as appropriate.

Physical Demands/Environment

This position requires the following physical abilities: to sit; to use hands, to reach with hands and arms, to stand, to talk and hear and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. In addition, the specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment is mostly sedentary; however there is occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration and to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other Requirements

There is minimal travel required to support other Akebono facilities or for training and development opportunities, therefore ability to drive a motor vehicle is required.

This position is remote. It is preferable that the candidate lives in Kentucky or Michigan.