Senior Network & Cybersecurity Specialist

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionOur client, an established public-sector organization in Southeast Michigan, is seeking an experienced Senior Network & Cybersecurity Specialist to join its IT team. This individual will bring a strong foundation in network engineering combined with hands-on cybersecurity experience. Working alongside an established IT team, this professional will help maintain, secure, and improve critical network infrastructure while identifying emerging vulnerabilities and evaluating new technologies. The ideal candidate is a seasoned network/infrastructure professional who has developed strong cybersecurity capabilities and enjoys staying ahead of industry developments while remaining actively involved in day-to-day technical operations. This is a collaborative, hands-on IT environment where team members contribute across multiple areas of technology support. The successful candidate will be comfortable taking ownership of complex technical challenges, making informed recommendations, working with vendors, and helping guide the organization's long-term network and security strategy. Key Responsibilities Network & Infrastructure Engineering Design, implement, maintain, and optimize enterprise network infrastructure and architecture. Configure and manage firewalls, routers, switches, VPNs, wireless networks, and network security devices. Maintain and troubleshoot LAN/WAN environments, network connectivity, and associated infrastructure. Administer and support Windows Server environments, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Microsoft technologies. Manage virtualization, enterprise storage, and server infrastructure, including VMware, SAN, and NAS environments. Evaluate existing infrastructure and recommend improvements to network performance, reliability, and scalability. Support telecommunications infrastructure, VoIP systems, and related network services. Cybersecurity & Risk Management Develop, implement, and maintain network security policies, procedures, and safeguards. Monitor systems for vulnerabilities, suspicious activity, unauthorized access, and potential security threats. Conduct vulnerability assessments, security audits, and risk analyses. Implement and maintain endpoint protection, antivirus, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. Investigate security incidents, coordinate incident response, and assist with forensic investigations. Maintain compliance with applicable security frameworks and regulatory requirements, including CJIS, CIS, and other industry standards. Identify security gaps and develop remediation strategies to reduce organizational risk. Monitor emerging cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities and evaluate their potential impact on the organization's technology environment. Systems Administration & Business Continuity Manage and maintain Microsoft 365, Exchange, Azure, Intune, and related enterprise technologies. Oversee backup systems, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity procedures. Develop, document, and regularly test recovery processes to ensure business continuity. Support enterprise applications, databases, web services, and associated infrastructure. Coordinate with vendors and technical partners to resolve complex infrastructure and security issues. Maintain system configurations, documentation, and technical procedures. Technical Leadership & Continuous Improvement Provide technical recommendations and guidance regarding infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Stay current on industry developments, security vulnerabilities, vendor updates, and evolving technology standards. Evaluate new technologies and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, infrastructure performance, and security. Assess how emerging technologies and security changes affect existing systems and recommend appropriate solutions. Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to evaluate, plan, and implement technology improvements. Collaborate with IT leadership and other team members on infrastructure planning and technology initiatives. Provide technical guidance and training to colleagues and end users. Technical Support & Team Collaboration Assist with complex technical escalations and Level 2 support when needed. Troubleshoot and resolve complex network, server, hardware, software, and connectivity issues. Assist with hardware and software installations, upgrades, and maintenance. Work collaboratively with other IT team members to support the organization's broader technology needs. Provide after-hours support and participate in occasional on-call responsibilities. Travel to other organizational facilities when necessary. Perform other related duties as assigned. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Information Assurance, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience will be considered. Approximately 10 years of progressively responsible experience in network engineering, infrastructure administration, and related IT disciplines. At least 3 years of hands-on cybersecurity experience. Strong understanding of network architecture, TCP/IP, LAN/WAN, Ethernet, DHCP, DNS, and QoS. Experience configuring, implementing, and maintaining enterprise firewalls; FortiGate experience preferred. Experience with antivirus, endpoint protection, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) security solutions. Working knowledge of Microsoft technologies, including Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Exchange, Azure, DNS, and Windows Server. Experience with VMware virtualization and enterprise server environments. Familiarity with endpoint management tools, including Intune and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM). Experience with network monitoring, vulnerability management, and security assessment tools. Knowledge of data protection, disaster recovery, and business continuity practices. Experience supporting routers, switches, VPNs, wireless networks, SAN/NAS, VoIP, and related infrastructure. Experience with enterprise backup solutions such as Veeam, Backup Exec, or comparable platforms. Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to manage multiple complex projects, prioritize competing demands, and exercise sound independent judgment. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion. Preferred Qualifications Experience working within government, public-sector, or other regulated IT environments. Familiarity with CJIS security requirements and related compliance standards. Experience with FortiGate firewall administration. Experience developing and implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures. Experience conducting vulnerability assessments, security audits, and incident investigations. Experience providing technical guidance, evaluating emerging technologies, and recommending infrastructure improvements. Experience coordinating technical projects with external vendors and service providers.