Senior Network Engineer

Job Title: Network Design Engineer (Wired & Wireless)

Location: Bellevue, WA/Alpharetta, GA/Cincinnati, OH/Iselin, NJ (Hybrid)

Type: Contract for USC OR GC candidates only

Job Description:

Network Designer (Wired & Wireless)

Must-have skills:

• The candidates must be highly skilled in Cisco LAN solutions, particularly 9K-series switches.
• Cisco WLAN solutions (including experience with Catalyst Center, Cisco Prime, wireless surveys, RF design, and complex Wi-Fi deployments in manufacturing or large depot environments)
• Arista switches to quickly adapt to the ongoing POC.
• Additionally, strong communication skills are essential

Key Responsibilities:

Wireless & Wired Network Design

• Architect and design enterprise-grade wireless and wired network solutions for large manufacturing and office environments.
• Develop high-density wireless network designs considering coverage, capacity, and interference mitigation strategies.
• Conduct predictive and on-site wireless surveys using tools like Ekahau or AirMagnet to ensure optimal AP placements.
• Ensure compliance with customer technology standards, security guidelines, and wireless policies.
• Provide recommendations for AP positioning, RF tuning, channel planning, and optimal antenna selection based on manufacturing floor challenges (high ceilings, metal interference, etc.).
• Design highly available and scalable LAN/WLAN architectures integrating Cisco & Juniper Wireless Controllers.

Hands-on Wireless Survey & Optimization

• Perform on-site and post-deployment wireless validation surveys with the help of survey engineers to assess signal strength, interference, and coverage gaps.
• Optimize WLC configurations and fine-tune RF parameters to enhance wireless performance.
• Analyze real-time network performance issues and proactively implement solutions.
• Leverage Cisco Spaces for wireless analytics, location-based services, and data-driven optimizations.

Cisco & Arista Switching Experience

• Provide design expertise and hands-on support for Cisco & Arista switch configurations, VLANs, routing, and QoS policies.
• Collaborate with teams handling switch refresh projects & new builds across sites.
• Assist in the integration of wireless infrastructure with Cisco & Arista switching fabric.
• Work closely with network teams to ensure seamless switch-to-WLC integration.

Manufacturing Site-Specific Network Engineering

• Design and deploy wireless solutions for high-ceiling environments while ensuring proper antenna selection.
• Ensure compliance with industrial safety regulations when performing wireless installations in secured environments.
• Work closely with vendors handling AP installations to ensure accurate implementation based on RF survey reports.
• Provide guidance for structured cabling best practices in switch refresh projects.

Project Coordination & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with project managers, vendors, and customer IT teams to drive seamless execution.
• Participate in change control and governance processes to align wireless deployments with project timelines.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex wireless issues across multiple sites and escalate as needed.

Required Skills & Experience:

Core Networking & Wireless Expertise:

• 8 years of experience in enterprise wireless & wired network design and implementation.
• Deep expertise in Cisco Wireless & Juniper Wireless solutions, including Cisco WLC (9800 series) & Juniper Mist.
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco Spaces for location-based analytics & tracking.
• Advanced knowledge of Cisco & Arista switches, VLANs, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and QoS best practices.
• Experience with large-scale site surveys using Ekahau, AirMagnet, or similar tools.
• Proficiency in RF design principles, antenna selection, AP placement, and interference mitigation.

Wireless Optimization & Security:

• Expertise in RF tuning, channel planning, 802.11 protocols, and wireless QoS.
• Hands-on experience in wireless security mechanisms (WPA2/3, 802.1X, RADIUS, EAP-TLS).
• Familiarity with Cisco DNA Center/Cisco Catalyst Center for wireless assurance & automation.
• Understanding of wireless performance troubleshooting using DNAC, or Juniper Mist AI.

Industrial Site Experience & Safety Compliance:

• Experience designing and deploying wireless solutions in large manufacturing environments with high ceilings (40ft-100ft ), metal obstructions, and challenging RF conditions.
• Familiarity with structured cabling standards (TIA/EIA, NFPA 70E, BICSI best practices).
• Strong adherence to safety protocols for high-ceiling installations (e.g., scissor/boom lifts, fall protection).