Senior Network Design Engineer

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Job Summary

Provide top-level network architecture, design, install and provide operational support for a wide variety of networking technologies, including routing and switching, firewalls, wireless and optical networks.

Job Duties

• Design, Install, troubleshoot, upgrade, maintain and troubleshoot network devices (switches, routers, wireless access points, etc.) on campus.
• Ability to use network traces to analyze, correlate and diagnose application and network problems and behavior. Includes expertise in TCP, HTTP, DNS, DHCP.
• Ability to analyze network performance through ongoing monitoring and using troubleshooting tools. Recommend enhancements, upgrades and changes to achieve optimum performance levels.
• Provide technical support and solutions to other IT departments.
• Interact with campus Internet providers CENIC and Los Nettos, including reporting and troubleshooting upstream network issues. May also attend and participate in technical committee meetings.
• Participate in Facilities design and construction meetings, and provide input on the infrastructure required in main and intermediate distribution facilities.
• Maintain awareness with new network technologies and determine their suitability for Caltech's environment.
• Strong documentation skills, develop network maps, troubleshooting guides, and operational procedures.
• Able to mentor to the junior team members.
• Active participation in the design and implementation of an integrated infrastructure supporting the convergence of voice and data services.
• Work on special projects as needed.
• Monitor and update our internal trouble ticket system on a daily basis.
  
  

Basic Requirements

• BS/BA degree or a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience as a network engineer.
• Experience in cross platform network automation and writing scripts using Ansible, Python and Jinja.
• Solid understanding of TCP/IP, OSI layer and operational experience of network routing protocols including BGP and OSPF.
• Ability to learn any network operating system including but not limited to Cisco, Arista, Aruba, Ciena and PaloAlto.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including developing, writing, and reviewing technical documents.
• Excellent team player, ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and set priorities.
• Be customer-oriented and comfortable working with a user base with widely varying computer skills and support needs.
• Be able to respond to off-hours incidents as necessary.
• Able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Some travel in-state and nationally may be required.
• Experience in deploying BGP VXLAN and EVPN control plane is a must.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• CCNP, CCIE or equivalent certification.
• Practical knowledge of optical transport systems not limited to Cisco and Ciena.
• Experience working in Linux operating system, good understanding of network performance testing tools and identifying network bottlenecks is a plus.
• Experience designing and implementing 100/400Gbps backbone in a multi-vendor environment.
• Knowledge of Caltech campus environment.
  
  

Hiring Range

$138,300 to $160,300 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at