Network Engineer (CONTRACT)

Network Engineer (Routing, Wireless, 802.1X / NAC)

Engagement: Contract (6–12 months), extension likely

Location: Alameda, CA preferred — hybrid onsite

Start: ASAP

Contract Engagement Summary

Network Engineer to support network stabilization and implementation efforts as part of a broader modernization initiative. This contract engagement will assist with switch and wireless configuration, Cisco ISE rollout, microsegmentation, and Palo Alto edge support across multi-site enterprise environments.

Responsibilities

• Implement and troubleshoot wired and wireless network changes
• Configure Catalyst switches, VLANs, ACLs, and routing under direction of senior engineering
• Support Cisco ISE deployment including:
• 802.1X on wired and wireless ports
• Certificate-based onboarding
• Posture validation rollout
• Assist with microsegmentation enforcement using SGTs
• Validate wireless coverage, perform tuning, and improve redundancy
• Support firewall change requests and VPN connectivity testing
• Troubleshoot production issues related to:
• L2/L3 connectivity
• ISE authentication
• DNS/DHCP/RADIUS interactions
• Participate in change windows and document implementation work
• Network automation and Infrastructure as Code, including the use of modern automation frameworks to improve consistency, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Hands‑on experience with Ansible, APIs, Git, and Terraform for configuration management, automation, and cloud/network infrastructure provisioning.
• Observability and assurance at scale, with the ability to proactively monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot enterprise networks.
• Experience enabling and consuming telemetry, NetFlow, and IPFIX for traffic visibility and performance analysis.
• Familiarity with Cisco DNA Center Assurance, Palo Alto Panorama, and SIEM integrations to provide centralized visibility, security monitoring, and operational insights.
  

Required Experience

Must Have

• 3–7 years enterprise network engineering experience
• Strong routing switching fundamentals (Catalyst 9k)
• Hands-on Cisco wireless (9800 WLC preferred)
• Experience with 802.1X and NAC concepts
• Familiarity with Cisco ISE configuration
  
  

Nice to Have

• Exposure to Cisco SDA / DNAC
• Basic Palo Alto firewall experience
• Azure networking familiarity
• Experience working across multiple buildings or sites
  
  

Technical Stack Contractor Should Know

• Cisco Catalyst (L2/L3)
• Cisco 9800 9120/9160 APs
• Cisco ISE fundamentals
• BGP/OSPF basics
• Palo Alto firewall concepts
• IPsec VPN
• DHCP/DNS/RADIUS
  
  

Contractor Traits

• Reliable hands-on executor
• Comfortable operating in live networks with guardrails
• Works well with senior engineer oversight
• Curious, disciplined, detail-oriented
• Calm under pressure in time-bound change windows