Network Engineer

Houston, United States Salary 65-75hr contract 120k when hired directly City Houston State/Province TX Country United States Job Description Location: Hybrid (Primarily Remote with On-Site Support as Needed – Central Houston, TX) Employment Type: Full-Time Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Engineer to serve as a Tier 3 escalation point and network architecture leader within our infrastructure team. This is a hands‑on technical role that combines advanced network engineering expertise with strategic design, architecture, and mentorship responsibilities. The ideal candidate is a Cisco expert with extensive experience in Cisco FirePower, Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Meraki, SD-WAN, unified communications, and enterprise‑level routing and switching . You will play a key role in supporting, designing, and optimizing our network infrastructure while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure performance, reliability, and scalability. About the Team You will be joining a close‑knit infrastructure group consisting of: 1 Network Project Manager 1 Junior Server Administrator 1 Senior Server Administrator 1 Server Specialist Key Responsibilities Serve as the highest level of network escalation (Tier 3) , providing on-site and remote technical support. Architect, design, implement, and maintain complex LAN/WAN, wireless, firewall, and voice infrastructures. Configure and manage enterprise-level Cisco FirePower, Catalyst, Meraki , and SD-WAN/MPLS connectivity solutions. Support and configure unified communications including CUBE routers, voice gateways, and SIP . Integrate cloud networking solutions, including Azure ExpressRoute connectivity. Implement and manage advanced routing and switching protocols ( OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, STP ) and redundancy technologies ( HSRP, VRRP, GLBP ). Configure, monitor, and secure wireless networks (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) using tools like Ekahau for spectrum analysis. Manage and optimize firewall rules, VPNs ( SSL and Site‑to‑Site ), and IDS/IPS systems. Conduct packet analysis using Wireshark and NetFlow analyzer tools to diagnose and resolve network performance issues. Perform capacity planning and scalability assessments to ensure network growth readiness. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate network solutions into enterprise systems. Lead network-related projects, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met. Maintain detailed network documentation and troubleshooting guides. Research and recommend new technologies to improve performance, security, and efficiency. Mentor junior and mid-level network engineers. Engage in customer‑facing technical discussions to align solutions with business objectives. Participate in on‑call rotations, including nights and weekends, for critical issues and maintenance windows. Minimum Qualifications Associate degree in an IT-related field or equivalent work experience. CCNP certification (mandatory); CCIE strongly preferred . 8+ years of experience in network engineering. Advanced experience with Cisco FirePower, Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Meraki . Experience with SD-WAN and MPLS solutions. Proficiency with unified communications (CUBE routers, voice gateways, SIP). Cloud networking experience, specifically Azure ExpressRoute . Expertise in advanced switching and routing protocols ( OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, STP ). Experience with wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and Ekahau tools. Strong firewall configuration and management skills. Expertise with VPNs ( SSL and Site‑to‑Site ). Knowledge of IDS/IPS, DNS, DHCP, ICMP, SNMP , and other core network protocols. Experience with packet analysis and NetFlow tools ( Wireshark, ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer ). Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. Excellent documentation and communication skills. Project management experience and ability to coordinate across teams. Adaptability, continuous learning mindset, and customer service focus. Willingness to work off‑hours for maintenance or emergencies. Hybrid role: Primarily remote, with required on‑site work in Central Houston for critical support, installations, and projects. Flexibility for after‑hours and weekend work when necessary. Why Join Us? This is a critical leadership role in our network operations. You’ll have the autonomy to design and optimize enterprise networking, work directly on cutting‑edge Cisco technologies, and mentor the next generation of IT professionals. If you’re a seasoned engineer ready to take ownership of complex projects and influence infrastructure strategy, we want to hear from you. “Impulse Strategic Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, protected veteran, disabled status, or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, Impulse Strategic Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has employees.” “Impulse Strategic Solutions is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us View email address on click.appcast.io .” Impulse Strategic Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, protected veteran, disabled status, or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, Impulse Strategic Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr