Network Engineer I (IT Infrastructure)

Position: Network Engineer I (IT Infrastructure)
Location: Rancho Dominguez, CA (Hybrid)
Reports To: Sr. Systems Engineer 

Role Overview:

The Network Engineer I is responsible for supporting the design, deployment, and maintenance of the organization’s network infrastructure. This role will work with and assist senior engineers in managing and troubleshooting network hardware, software, and connectivity, while ensuring network performance and security standards are maintained.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full network infrastructure ownership.
• Ability to work independently.
• Monitor and maintain LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, WLAN, and VPN infrastructure.
• Respond to network outages and performance issues.
• Support network hardware such as switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points.
• Configure and deploy network equipment.
• Participate in network documentation, inventory tracking, and change management processes.
• Participate in the design and implementation of network architecture.
• Assist in maintaining and troubleshooting DNS, DHCP, IP address management, VLANs and Firewall policies.
• Work with helpdesk team to resolve access and connectivity issues.
• Provide additional support to IT Helpdesk as needed.
• Work with cybersecurity team in response to potential cybersecurity threats.
• Follow best practices for network security and assist in implementing security controls.
• Apply and maintain DISA STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guide) baselines for applicable network devices to ensure secure configurations and hardening.
• Configure and maintain proper alerting for network equipment.
• Participate in after-hours maintenance windows and 24/7 on-call rotation as needed via PagerDuty/Email alerts.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Networking, or related field preferred.
• 0–2 years of hands-on experience in network support or administration.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals: OSI model, TCP/IP, subnets, VLANs, routing/switching.
• Familiarity with network troubleshooting & monitoring tools (Wireshark, NetFlow, Zabbix, ping, traceroute etc.).
• Exposure to enterprise networking hardware (Fortinet, Cisco, HP, Aruba, Ubiquiti, Meraki, etc.) is a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of firewalls, VPNs, and network access control.
• Certifications such as CompTIA Network , Fortinet FCA/FCP or Cisco CCNA are a plus and encouraged.