Job Title: Network Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL metro area

Job Overview: We have an immediate opening for a Network Engineer in the metro Chicago, IL area. In this role, you will focus on maintaining, improving, and optimizing the network infrastructure. You will perform complex technical and professional work involving the planning, design, implementation, and management of networking and security solutions. This position offers a great opportunity for career growth into management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the telephone systems.
• Create and maintain technical documentation of network infrastructure and topology.
• Support ITIL related processes for change, incident, event, and problem management.
• Oversee vendors, contract new services, and support the network infrastructure for operations and project implementations. Understand support contracts, license renewals, and governance/SLA review of vendor network providers.
• Assist in implementing new network services aligning to refresh cycle and approved architecture, improved services, or additional business requirements.
• Manage the LAN/WAN environment including connectivity, routing, monitoring, and break/fix. This includes firewalls, routers, switches, access points, and other network-related hardware. Standardize on a refresh cycle for hardware, maintain maintenance contracts, and provision services as needed to support business requirements.
• Responsible for steady-state operations of the network environment, including all network connectivity, performance, and availability. Address and resolve incidents per ITIL processes for break/fix related issues for the supported environment. Assist in managing the network including capacity, break/fix, network routing, monitoring, and availability. Assist other business units as needed with network isolation, firewalling malicious traffic, and vulnerability management in the network space.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of relevant experience in a Network Engineering role within an enterprise environment.
• Experience with enterprise-level network design, engineering, and administration. Experience with common networking devices such as firewalls, switches, and fabric interconnects. Commonly used brands include Cisco, Meraki, Juniper, Checkpoint, etc. Knowledge of IP Routing & Switching BGP, OSPF, MPLS, L2-VPNs, technologies, and protocols such as Spanning-tree protocol, LACP, BFD, UDLD, etc.
• Knowledge of network firewalls, configuring, and troubleshooting app-based, and destination IP-based rule sets. Experience with Cisco and Meraki APs and Wireless Controllers to assist with wireless coverage issues. Understand Fiber, Coax & Ethernet mediums and be able to drive new site openings.
• Develop multi-functional relationships with development and operations teams. Highly curious and strong troubleshooting skills. Ability to work independently under tight deadlines with little or no guidance and/or oversight from a project manager.
• Manage vendors, plan & coordinate testing (whether done internally or by vendor) and evaluate PoCs.
• Must be able to work well individually as well as with a team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must.
• Travel- 25%.
• Experience with technical project management skills, ITIL processes, and strong analytical and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Certifications such as Cisco CCNA, CCNP (or similar work experience), and other network certifications (e.g., Checkpoint).
• Experience with Cloud and SaaS related technologies.