Systems Engineer III (LAN/WAN T-3)

Systems Engineer III (LAN/WAN T-3)

PlanIT Group is seeking a Systems Engineer III (LAN/WAN T-3) for our Federal customer in the Washington, DC area. The ideal candidate will augment the team, provide wired switch, and network design, operation, and management in support of initiatives and projects.

Responsibilities will include:

• Serve as a Tier 3 escalation point for complex LAN/Wireless issues escalated from Tier 2 engineers.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Tier 2 LAN Engineers.
• Design, implement, and manage LAN/Wireless infrastructure projects.
• Perform network performance monitoring and optimization.
• Develop and maintain network documentation and diagrams.
• Network design, and configuration of OSPF, EIGRP, RIP and Static routing solutions.
• Plan/schedule any upgrades, including any that may occur on weekends or during other off-duty hours, and release necessary notifications to the field.
• Provide Network Automation support (upgrade software on switches, archive switch configurations, standardize switch configurations, and provide hardware/software reports upon request).
• Mitigate vulnerabilities affecting switches.
• Configure and support wireless systems.
• Architecture design, and systems implementation, of middle-of-row to core connectivity. IOS layer 2 and layer 3 configuration and support.
• Firewall and load balancing support.
• Top-of-rack to middle-of-row connectivity.
• Top-of-rack to server connectivity.
• Server to middle-of-row backup, and backup to backup core connectivity.
• Enclosure network hardware including blade switches and pass-thru modules.
• Assist with special projects that may require working with multiple vendors, field personnel, and area/district managers.
• Provide Root Cause Analysis of any outage during established and authorized hardware refresh window.
• Develop change and test management procedures consistent with the established processes.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the processes and procedures for "Test LAN" pilot implementation.
• Document recommendations suitable for presentation.
• Develop procedures for implementation of new hardware/software products and applications.
• Review site designs for pathways and support systems, including multi-floor pathways and penetrations for fiber optic cable and/or copper backbones.
• Use of Ekahau sidekick
• Collaborate with other IT teams for integrated system solutions.
• Perform duties in support of the mission as directed by Management.
• Working upgrades, to include weekends or off-duty hours, and may include travel as necessary.
• Typically performs all functional duties independently.

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in LAN engineering.
• Expertise in LAN protocols, technologies, and architecture design.
• Extensive experience with LAN design, implementation, and management, including deploying LAN solutions for large complex facilities.
• Proficiency in network monitoring tools (e.g., Wireshark, SolarWinds).
• Ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex LAN issues.
• In depth understanding of LAN security standards and methodologies.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to troubleshoot and resolve network issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to stay up to date with the latest networking technologies, standards, and industry developments in the LAN Engineering field.

Specialized Skillset Requirements:

• Experience with IP Address Management Systems to include voice VLAN sizing.
• Experience performing switch acceptance for new field sites.
• Experience with site reviews for Cisco networks including circuit capacity, switch types, and IOS.
• Experience using direct measurements or design documents to advise the organization about infrastructure, reliability, and performance issues.
• Capable of configuring the networking parameters for operating systems and network devices.
• Capable of reading syslog output, sniffer logs, security logs and networking sections of application and operating system logs.
• Capable of installing, configuring, operating, and supporting Cisco and other vendor network equipment and products.
• Experience with other wireless solutions such as Cisco Meraki, HPE Aruba, Juniper Mist, and Fortinet.

Education: A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years' relevant experience. A degree from an accredited College/University in the applicable field of services is required. If the individual's degree is not in the applicable field, then four (4) additional years of related experience is required.