Network SME /Architect

About VLink Started in 2006 and headquartered in Connecticut, VLink is one of the fastest growing digital technology services and consulting companies. Since its inception, our innovative team members have been solving the most complex business, and IT challenges of our global clients. Job Description Design, deploy, configure, and maintain Cisco Client for network access control (NAC) and identity-based policy enforcement. Implement 802.1X authentication, MAB (MAC Authentication Bypass), and posture assessment for wired and wireless networks. Manage device profiling, guest access portals, BYOD policies, and certificate-based authentication (EAP-TLS/PEAP). Integrate Client with Active Directory, PKI, and other authentication systems. Develop and maintain Client policies, network device groups, and authorization profiles. Monitor Client logs and troubleshoot authentication and authorization issues. Perform Client patching, backup, and system upgrades as part of lifecycle management. Firewall Responsibilities Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco ASA, Firepower (FTD), Palo Alto, or Fortinet firewalls. Create and maintain access control policies (ACLs), NAT, VPNs, and security zones. Monitor and analyze firewall logs to detect anomalies or potential security breaches. Collaborate with security teams to enforce Zero Trust and micro‑segmentation strategies. Conduct firewall performance tuning and ensure compliance with security standards. Good to have General Network Security: Collaborate with network operations and security teams to ensure consistent policy enforcement across wired, wireless, and VPN environments. Participate in incident response, root cause analysis, and remediation for security events. Develop and maintain network documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Required Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. 5+ years of experience in network security engineering. Hands‑on experience with Cisco Client (2.x or 3.x) deployment and management. Strong understanding of RADIUS, TACACS+, EAP, 802.1X, VLANs, and network access control. Experience with Cisco ASA, Firepower, or next‑generation firewalls (NGFW). Proficiency with Cisco Catalyst switches, wireless controllers, and VPN technologies. Familiar with network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, Splunk, Wireshark, etc.). Cisco certifications such as CCNP Security, CCIE Security, or Cisco Client Specialist are highly desirable. Preferred Qualifications Experience with multi‑vendor firewall platforms (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point). Understanding of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and SASE architectures. Familiarity with automation and scripting (Python, Ansible) for network configurations. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement VLink is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and/or drug screening, as applicable. Applicant information will be handled in accordance with VLink's privacy policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Vlink