Sr. Network Engineer

Job Description Job Description Title: Sr. Network Engineer Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid in 77024 – onsite twice a week) Duration: Contract-to-Hire Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders or Authorized to Work in the US. W2/Direct-employment only. Summary: Our client is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to provide technical leadership across a large enterprise network environment. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity that will be required to be onsite at least twice a week. The role combines complex network troubleshooting and operations with network architecture, design, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a highly experienced network engineer who can independently diagnose difficult issues, understand the broader architectural impact, recommend solutions, and provide technical leadership through implementation. The environment operates through a large managed service provider (MSP) structure. The Senior Network Engineer will diagnose issues and determine solutions, but the MSP performs network configuration changes. This requires someone with strong hands-on experience who can provide detailed technical direction to the MSP and oversee implementation and validation. Responsibilities Participate in network architecture, design, infrastructure upgrades, and technology initiatives. Provide technical leadership during major incidents, outages, and complex troubleshooting efforts. Provide senior-level support for enterprise network operations, stability, performance, and availability. Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues across routing, switching, WAN, SD-WAN, firewalls, wireless, and related infrastructure. Analyze root causes, develop remediation strategies, and drive issues through resolution. Evaluate existing network architecture and recommend design, performance, security, and reliability improvements. Work closely with MSPs and internal teams to coordinate technical resolution and implementation. Provide the MSP with clear, detailed implementation instructions and validate changes after implementation. Identify opportunities to improve network operations, processes, documentation, monitoring, and service delivery. Support network projects from planning and design through implementation and testing. Maintain strong technical documentation and communicate recommendations and issues clearly to stakeholders. Required Qualifications 8+ years of enterprise network engineering experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong, demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex enterprise network issues. Strong knowledge of Cisco routing and switching. Strong understanding of enterprise network architecture, design, and complex network topologies. Understanding of SD-WAN concepts; Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN/Viptela experience is preferred but not required. Strong experience with Palo Alto firewalls, including troubleshooting and recommending improvements. Understanding of cloud networking in AWS, Azure, and/or GCP. Knowledge of DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (DDI); EfficientIP, Infoblox, or comparable experience is acceptable. Experience troubleshooting enterprise wireless networks; Extreme experience is preferred but not required. Familiarity with F5 load balancing. Experience working with MSPs or outsourced technical teams. Ability to independently diagnose problems, determine solutions, and provide clear technical direction to third-party teams responsible for implementation. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision. Houston-area candidate required. Preferred Qualifications CCNP or equivalent experience. Palo Alto certification or significant hands-on experience. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN/Viptela experience. AWS, Azure, or GCP networking experience/certifications. Experience with EfficientIP, Infoblox, Extreme Networks, or F5. Network architecture/design or technical project leadership experience. ITIL or related IT service management experience. MSP Operating Model The Senior Network Engineer will investigate, diagnose, and design solutions, while the MSP performs approved network configuration changes. The engineer will be expected to: Troubleshoot → Determine Root Cause → Recommend/Design Solution → Direct MSP Implementation → Validate Results Experience working with an MSP is helpful, but candidates must have the technical depth to independently troubleshoot and determine the appropriate solution, rather than simply coordinate or escalate issues. Our benefits package includes: Comprehensive medical benefits Competitive pay, 401(k) Retirement plan …and much more! About INSPYR Solutions: Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a national expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients' business objectives and cultural needs. Our solutions are tailored to each client and include a wide variety of professional services, project, and talent solutions. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at inspyrsolutions.com. INSPYR Solutions provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, INSPYR Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.