Day-1-Onsite || Network Infrastructure Engineer (SME) || Jackson, MS

Role: Network Infrastructure Engineer (SME)

Estimated Duration: 12 month; highly possible for extension long-term

Location: Jackson, MS 39201

Day-1-Onsite

Position Description

Client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Network Infrastructure Engineer to support and advance the State s enterprise networking environment. This position plays a critical role in designing, deploying, and operating new LDC (Liquor Distribution Center) fabrics, networks, identity-driven access systems, and observability platforms.

The engineer will work closely with infrastructure team to ensure the State s network services remain reliable, scalable, secure, and aligned with enterprise modernization goals. This is a hands-on engineering position that requires strong technical expertise, effective communication, and the ability to support mission-critical systems across data centers and statewide operations.

Major Responsibilities

• Cisco ACI fabric design and administration (VRF, BD, EPG/ESG, L3Out).
• ACI integrations with OpenShift VMM and Cilium/Isovalent.
• Catalyst and SDA wired/wireless fabric deployment and support.
• Identity-driven access configuration using Cisco ISE (TACACS , authentication/authorization, device profiling).
• ThousandEyes monitoring, Cyber Vision integration, and DNA Spaces analytics.
• Palo Alto next-generation firewall configuration, policy development, and troubleshooting.
• Network documentation, lifecycle planning, and support of mission-critical services.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Cisco ACI & Data Center Networking

• Design, implement, and maintain Cisco Nexus platforms running ACI mode, including VRFs, Bridge Domains, EPGs/ESGs, L3Out, contracts, and fabric policies.
• Integrate ACI with virtualization and container platforms including Red Hat OpenShift VMM and Isovalent/Cilium.
• Configure and optimize RoCEv2 within the ACI fabric for high-performance, low-latency workloads.
• Conduct advanced troubleshooting of ACI fabric health, faults, endpoint learning, contracts, and multi-tenant segmentation.
• Develop and maintain fabric documentation, standards, and operational procedures. Cisco Catalyst & Software-Defined Access
• Deploy and support Cisco Catalyst platforms within campus environments.
• Design and maintain Software-Defined Access (SDA) architectures, including SDA Wired Fabric and Fabric-Enabled Wireless.\
• Manage fabric underlay and overlay, policy mapping, authentication integrations, and assurance operations.
• Collaborate with wireless engineers to optimize coverage, performance, and policy enforcement across SDA.
• Identity-Driven Networking & Security Technologies
• Configure and administer Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for TACACS device administration, authentication and authorization policy sets, and endpoint profiling.
• Integrate Cyber Vision intelligence into profiling, segmentation, and access control workflows.
• Support Zero Trust efforts through identity-centric segmentation and policy integration across ACI and SDA fabrics.
• Visibility, Analytics & Observability
• Deploy and manage ThousandEyes for end-to-end visibility, routing path analysis, and performance monitoring.
• Implement and support Cisco Cyber Vision for OT/IoT asset visibility, device classification, and behavior analysis.
• Manage DNA Spaces for location analytics, telemetry ingestion, device behavior, and wireless intelligence.
• Provide meaningful insights to leadership using data from these observability platforms. Core Network Engineering
• Troubleshoot complex L2/L3 network issues across multiple environments including VLANs, OSPF, BGP, STP, and multicast.
• Designing, and implementing Palo Alto Networks security solutions across enterprise environments.
• Create and maintain documentation including architecture diagrams, standards, runbooks, and asset inventories.
• Assist in modernization planning, platform upgrades, procurement processes, and statewide technology initiatives.
  
  

Required Skills/Experience

The DOR SME must possess:

• Minimum of 15 years of experience working with Cisco networking.
  
  

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Cisco ACI in production environments.
• Deep knowledge of ACI constructs (VRF, BD, EPG, ESG, L3Out, contracts).
• Experience integrating ACI with OpenShift VMM and Cilium/Isovalent.
• Proficiency with Cisco Catalyst platforms and SDA fabric technologies.
• Experience administering Cisco ISE including TACACS and policy-set based NAC.
• Strong understanding of ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, and DNA Spaces or comparable tools.
• Solid command of core TCP/IP, routing, switching, QoS, and network security fundamentals.
• Ability to develop clear diagrams, documentation, and architectural artifacts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills

• Cisco ACI, Nexus platforms, multi-tenant segmentation.
• SDA campus architectures.
• Cisco ISE policy sets and NAC.
• Palo Alto firewall administration and security profiles.
• Strong L2/L3 routing and switching skills.
• Ability to support high-availability, enterprise-scale infrastructure.
  
  

Preferred/Not Required

• Cisco certifications such as CCNP Data Center, CCNP Enterprise, CCIE, or equivalent experience.
• Hands-on experience with container networking and virtualization integrations.
• Familiarity with NIST frameworks and state-level cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience with network automation tools (Python, Ansible, REST APIs).
• Prior work in state government or large enterprise network environments.
• PCCSA Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate Foundational security, NGFW basics, threats, App-ID, and policy.
• PCNSA Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator
• Focuses on NGFW configuration, security profiles, NAT, App-ID, URL filtering, WildFire
  
  

Recommended Certifications

• CCNA
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Enterprise
• Cisco Specialist ACI, SDA, or ISE
• PCNSA (Palo Alto)
• PCNSE (Palo Alto)
• ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, or related platform training