Senior Network Engineer

Indent: SF_OP_207326-1-2 Role: Senior Network Engineer Location: Lincolnshire IL (100% Onsite - please look for candidates local to IL) Max Rate: $55/hr What We're Looking For: Looking for a Senior Network Engineer and play a crucial role in building, optimizing, and securing our global IT infrastructure. In this position, you will be a key driver in deploying enterprise-class network solutions and ensuring seamless connectivity across our operations worldwide If you are a tech-driven problem solver who thrives in a collaborative, large-scale IT environment, enjoys mentoring teammates, and wants to work hands-on with cutting-edge network and security tools, we want you to help power our infrastructure. What You Will Do: Design, Deployment & Strategy Build the Network: Partner with IT architects to design, configure, and implement advanced enterprise network and security solutions that align with business goals. Technology Evaluation: Participate in Proof of Concept (PoC) testing for emerging technologies and recommend improvements for network optimization and cost-efficiency. Implement Standards: Deploy, configure, and maintain LAN, WAN, VPN, firewalls, and routing hardware while ensuring strict adherence to enterprise architecture standards. M&A Support: Contribute to network assessments for Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), executing integration plans to standardize newly acquired environments safely and efficiently. Security, Resilience & Compliance Disaster Recovery: Support business continuity by deploying resilient infrastructures that facilitate critical Disaster Recovery and Cyber Recovery operations. Security Posture Optimization: Routinely assess network security protocols, implement necessary upgrades, and execute risk-mitigation strategies within structured change control frameworks. Ensure Compliance: Maintain operational compliance with internal policies and industry standards, providing critical validation for high-stakes network security modifications. Operations, Support & Mentorship Advanced Escalation Point: Act as a Level 3 support specialist to quickly diagnose and resolve complex network, routing, and security incidents, including participating in an on-call rotation. Project Execution: Take ownership of specific IT project deliverables, ensuring system upgrades and deployments are completed on time. Knowledge Sharing: Promote a culture of continuous learning by mentoring junior engineers and creating comprehensive High-Level Designs (HLD), Low-Level Designs (LLD), and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Core Networking, Cloud & Security Expertise Networking Fundamentals: Strong foundational knowledge of data networking, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), TCP/IP, directory services, and complex LAN/WAN topologies. Cloud & WAN Connectivity: Experience managing routing metrics for WAN environments and a solid grasp of secure intra/inter-cloud routing across major providers (AWS, Azure, GCP). Security Acumen: Thorough understanding of zero-trust architectures, cryptography, and modern security protocols to protect against known and emerging system vulnerabilities. Professional Skills Team Collaboration: A collaborative mindset with the ability to guide cross-functional teams and lead technical initiatives by example. Customer-Focused: Highly empathetic to cultural differences within a global workforce and dedicated to delivering exceptional IT support. Analytical Thinking: Exceptional troubleshooting abilities under pressure, combined with the communication skills needed to translate technical issues to business stakeholders. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience). Minimum of 8+ years of hands-on experience in enterprise network engineering, security, and infrastructure deployment. Proven track record of supporting large-scale, complex, and highly available global IT environments. Zscaler Zero Trust Ecosystem: Comprehensive experience managing Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX), and Zscaler Branch Connectors (ZTB). Data Center Automation & Visibility: Practical experience operating Cisco Nexus Dashboard for centralized fabric management, proactive monitoring, and operational automation in complex data centers. Enterprise Wireless & Edge: Strong background in deploying and managing HPE Mist Wireless, Cisco Meraki, and Cisco Enterprise Wireless environments. Next-Generation Firewalls: Extensive background supporting Palo Alto Firewalls. Holding an active Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) or Administrator (PCNSA) certification is highly preferred to validate this expertise. Travel Requirements: Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% globally or domestically to support major implementations and M&A integration projects. Certifications CCNP/CCIE (Enterprise and/or Data Center) JNCIP-MistAI Zscaler Digital Transformation Engineer (ZDTE) CISSP or PCNSE PeopleNTech