Data Network Engineer (Cisco/Nerc CIP) (Cincinnati Metropolitan Area)

Optomi, in partnership with a leading organization in the energy and utilities industry, is seeking a Network Engineer to support the design and deployment of critical network infrastructure for a major nuclear power plant construction project.

This role focuses on Cisco network engineering, infrastructure design, implementation planning, and developing detailed engineering packages for field deployments. The ideal candidate has strong routing and switching fundamentals, excellent documentation skills, and experience coordinating network implementations across multiple teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and implement enterprise LAN, WAN, and wireless network infrastructure.
• Develop detailed network engineering packages, configurations, diagrams, and step-by-step installation instructions for field technicians.
• Create Bills of Material (BOMs), specify Cisco equipment, and coordinate hardware procurement and deployment.
• Configure and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and network connectivity solutions.
• Collaborate with network architects, project managers, field technicians, and engineering teams to ensure successful implementations.
• Support network routing, security policies, configuration changes, and infrastructure monitoring.
• Ensure network designs and deployments meet corporate standards, security requirements, and applicable NERC CIP compliance guidelines.
• Manage multiple engineering deliverables while maintaining accurate documentation and meeting project deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional network engineering experience with a strong Cisco background.
• Hands-on experience designing, configuring, and supporting LAN, WAN, and WLAN environments.
• Strong understanding of routing and switching, including route advertisement, filtering, and redistribution.
• Experience with network technologies such as GRE, IPsec, DMVPN, and SD-WAN.
• Experience administering and troubleshooting firewalls and network security configurations.
• Ability to create network diagrams using Microsoft Visio, detailed implementation documentation, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
• Familiarity with network management and security tools such as SolarWinds Orion, Cisco ISE, and BlueCat IPAM.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, project coordination, and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting electric utilities, power generation, or other critical infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge of NERC CIP compliance and network security standards.
• Experience supporting large-scale construction or infrastructure deployment projects.
• Experience creating network engineering/job packages for field implementation.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or coordinating technical deployments.

Work Environment

• Hybrid schedule with onsite work Tuesday and Wednesday, plus one additional flexible onsite or field day each week.
• Collaborative engineering team supporting a major infrastructure construction initiative.
• Opportunity to contribute to the design and implementation of critical network infrastructure.