Sr. Network Engineer (W2/1099)

We are seeking a highly qualified Senior Network Engineer to lead a multi-month Cisco network implementation project for a manufacturing client in Logansport, Indiana.

Hourly: Depends on the experience (W2/1099)

Duration: 3-6 months

Scope:

The engagement includes designing, staging, implementing, and documenting a new Cisco-based network architecture—including core switches, VLAN segmentation, routing, redundancy, and phased cutover—while working alongside the customer’s technical team in a mentoring/knowledge-transfer–focused environment.

The ideal candidate has deep hands-on experience with Cisco switching (core & edge), advanced VLAN/subnet design, routing, failover/redundancy, and network migrations. This role requires strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to teach the customer’s technical lead throughout the project.

Key Responsibilities

1. First Week of Project

• Conduct technical discovery sessions with customer headquarters and local IT lead.
• Perform a full walkthrough of the manufacturing and office facilities.
• Review and validate updated Bill of Materials (BOM), cabling plans, optics, and interoperability between Cisco core switches and Aruba access switches.
• Assist in racking, stacking, basic cabling, and initial configuration of Cisco core switches.
• Review current SonicWall firewalls and define a migration/security policy plan (firewall upgrades NOT in scope).

Create and review the high-level and low-level network design, including:

• Core routing topology
• VLAN segmentation and IP addressing strategy
• Redundancy/failover design
• Migration and cutover approach

2. Design, Planning & Staging

• Validate design assumptions, Layer 2/Layer 3 boundaries, and interoperability with existing Aruba switching environment.
• Stage and configure Cisco core and edge switches, including SFPs, adapters, and uplinks.
• Develop detailed implementation and cutover plans with customer technical leadership.
• Configure pilot VLAN(s), perform IP re-addressing where needed, and assist in pilot migration with minimal production disruption.
• Provide ongoing weekly or bi-weekly collaboration with customer IT for training and knowledge transfer.

3. Implementation & Rollout

• Execute a phased rollout of VLANs and routing across manufacturing and office environments.
• Re-map physical and virtual network connections.
• Assist with IP scheme creation, IP reassignment, and VLAN cutovers.
• Support the customer in communicating changes to stakeholders and coordinating maintenance windows.
• Implement redundancy and failover configurations.
• Provide post-production support for each migrated network segment.
• Document all configurations, diagrams, network design, and operational processes.
• Deliver knowledge-transfer sessions covering:
• Switch configuration best practices
• Change management
• Network maintenance guidance

Qualifications & Experience

8–10 years of experience in enterprise networking experience of:

• Cisco switching (core/distribution/edge)
• VLAN and subnet design
• Layer 2/Layer 3 routing
• High availability, redundancy, failover
• Cutover and migration strategies
• Experience designing hybrid/mixed vendor environments (Cisco Aruba)
• Hands-on experience configuring SFPs, fiber, uplinks, cabling schemes, etc.
• Strong understanding of firewall policy planning and migration strategies (SonicWall experience a plus)
• Ability to plan and execute low-impact migrations with zero or minimal downtime

Soft Skills

• Strong communicator capable of explaining complex networking concepts to non-experts
• Patient and collaborative—must enjoy mentoring and “working side-by-side” with the customer
• Excellent documentation skills
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with business-critical uptime requirements

Preferred Certifications

• Cisco CCNP or CCIE (Switching/Routing or Enterprise) strongly preferred
• Additional Aruba, SonicWall, or network security certifications are a plus