Network Engineer - Project Lead

Job Title: Network Engineer - Project Lead
Job ID: 13296
Client: State of South Carolina (University of South Carolina)
Location: Columbia, SC (Fully Onsite). Candidate MUST be a SC resident or willing to relocate to SC prior to starting the role at their own expense.
Duration: 6 months (Possibility for Extension: Yes)
Interview Process: 2 rounds, virtual I. Job Overview & Operational Requirements

The State of South Carolina (University of South Carolina) is seeking three (3) Network Engineer - Project Leads to provide specialized network operations and infrastructure support.

• Work Environment: This position is designated as a fully on-site role and requires regular physical presence at university facilities. Remote work is not available for this position.
• On-Call & After Hours: Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and perform occasional after-hours maintenance and incident response activities. On-campus response may be required.
• Work Authorization: Candidate must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident.

• Network Operations and Infrastructure Support: Monitor, maintain, and support enterprise wired and wireless network infrastructure, including switching, routing, and connectivity services across campus environments to ensure availability, reliability, and performance. Perform field installation and deployment of network equipment, including configuring, racking, stacking, cabling, and testing switches.
• Incident Response and Problem Resolution: Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve network issues through monitoring, analysis, and root cause investigation. Investigate and resolve network incidents through remote analysis and field-based troubleshooting, including testing network equipment, validating configurations, and coordinating repairs to maintain service availability. Escalate complex issues as appropriate and participate in on-call support activities to ensure continuity of services.
• Network Maintenance and Service Improvement: Perform routine maintenance activities, including system upgrades, patching, configuration changes, and performance optimization efforts while minimizing service interruptions and adhering to operational best practices.
• Documentation, Collaboration, and Customer Support: Maintain accurate operational documentation, network diagrams, incident records, and runbooks. Collaborate with network engineering and architecture, security, infrastructure teams, vendors, and stakeholders to support reliable technology services and communicate technical information effectively.
• Network Security and Access Services Administration: Support and maintain network security technologies, including firewalls, VPNs, and related security controls. Assist with troubleshooting and responding to security-related incidents in accordance with established procedures and standards.

• 2+ Years: Experience with enterprise network technologies, including switching, routing, wireless networking, and TCP/IP protocols.
• 2+ Years: Configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, AND Fortinet network devices.
• 2+ Years: Diagnosing and resolving network connectivity, performance, and security-related issues using standard troubleshooting methodologies and tools.
• 2+ Years: Network security, including firewalls, VPNs, access controls, and security best practices.
• 2+ Years: Installing, configuring, and supporting network infrastructure equipment, including field deployment activities such as racking, stacking, cabling, and testing.
• 2+ Years: Maintaining technical documentation, network diagrams, and operational records.
• 2+ Years: Routing protocols and technologies such as OSPF, BGP, VLANs, spanning tree, and high-availability architectures.

• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise or higher education network environments.
• Experience with wireless network administration and troubleshooting in dense-user environments.
• Experience supporting network security technologies, including firewalls, VPNs, network access control (NAC), and multi-factor authentication solutions.
• Familiarity with network monitoring, logging, and performance management tools.
• Experience with network automation, scripting, or infrastructure management tools (e.g., Python, Ansible, APIs).
• Experience performing network upgrades, migrations, and lifecycle replacement projects.
• Experience working in ITIL-based operational environments, including incident, problem, and change management processes.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively and work collaboratively with technical teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and respond effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience mentoring junior technical staff and providing technical leadership during operational incidents.

• Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Preferred Certifications: CCNA, CCNP, JNCIA, JNCIS/JNCIP, ACNT, ACSA, ACMA, FCA, FCP.