Sr. Network Systems Engineer

Network Systems Engineer

Location: Charlotte, NC

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Contract Length: 12+ months

About the Opportunity

Our staffing team is partnering with a highly recognized enterprise client to hire an experienced Network Systems Engineer for a long-term onsite contract in Charlotte, NC. This role is ideal for a hands-on network engineering professional with deep experience across enterprise routing, switching, data center networking, automation, and infrastructure testing.

The selected consultant will support complex network environments, contribute to testing and validation efforts, document results in the required client format, and work closely with cross-functional teams across multiple locations.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support, configure, test, and troubleshoot enterprise and data center network environments.
• Work across routing, switching, and data center architectures, including Layer 2, Layer 3, three-tier, and spine-leaf designs.
• Perform network infrastructure testing using tools such as Ixia and related platforms.
• Document testing outcomes, procedures, and technical findings in the client's required format.
• Collaborate with geographically dispersed engineering, infrastructure, and operations teams.
• Assist with data center device communication, vendor platform integration, and automation initiatives.
• Build or enhance automation tools using Python to improve network operations and testing workflows.
• Support environments involving Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and related networking technologies.
• Help train team members on processes, tools, or procedures as documentation and knowledge transfer needs arise.
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines and high visibility.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of hands-on data networking experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Data Communications, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Active or prior CCNP certification strongly preferred.
• Strong enterprise routing and switching experience, including protocols such as BGP, EIGRP, and OSPF.
• Deep understanding of LAN/WAN networking in data center environments.
• Experience supporting complex multi-layered network architectures, including L2, L3, three-tier, and spine-leaf designs.
• Hands-on experience with data center networking across Cisco, Juniper, and Arista platforms.
• Experience using Ixia or similar network infrastructure testing tools.
• Ability to clearly document testing results, procedures, and technical findings.
• Working knowledge of VMware virtualization.
• Strong communication, organization, reporting, and customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage deadlines, and operate independently.
• Comfortable working with cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.

Automation & Scripting Experience

• Experience scripting with Python 3.
• Hands-on experience building network automation tools using Python libraries such as Netmiko, Paramiko, and NAPALM.
• Familiarity with automation protocols such as NETCONF and RESTCONF.
• Strong understanding of Python data structures, object-oriented programming, and parsing data formats such as XML, JSON, and YAML.
• Experience using templating tools such as Jinja2.
• Familiarity with database CRUD operations.
• Experience with testing frameworks or harnesses such as PyTest, ROBOT Framework, iTest, or similar tools.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest fit will be a senior-level network engineer who is equally comfortable troubleshooting complex infrastructure, validating network changes, documenting testing results, and contributing to automation efforts. This person should be highly self-directed, technically sharp, and able to work well under pressure while supporting a large enterprise environment.

Key Skills

Enterprise Routing | Enterprise Switching | Data Center Networking | Cisco | Juniper | Arista | Ixia | BGP | EIGRP | OSPF | Python 3 | Network Automation | Netmiko | Paramiko | NAPALM | NETCONF | RESTCONF | VMware | PyTest | ROBOT Framework | iTest