Network Sr. Specialist - IT Infrastructure

Job Purpose

Network Architecture & Operational Delivery

• Design, configure, and maintain high-availability enterprise networks (LAN, WAN, WLAN, and Data Center topologies).
• Implement and manage advanced routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP) and network virtualization technologies (VXLAN, EVPN, MPLS).
• Support multi-cloud network connectivity and hybrid setups (AWS DirectConnect, Azure ExpressRoute).
• Oversee SDN/SD-WAN deployments, site-to-site connectivity, and internet edge optimizations.

Infrastructure Maintenance & Incident Management

• Ensure 99.99%+ uptime across core infrastructure through proactive monitoring, health checks, and redundant architectures.
• Function as the highest internal technical escalation point (Tier 3/4) for complex network outages, routing bottlenecks, and connectivity disruptions.
• Drive network lifecycle operations including firmware updates, security patching, hardware refresh, and automated configuration backups.
• Conduct deep-packet inspection and performance analysis using Wireshark, SolarWinds, PRTG, NetFlow, and Datadog.

Network Security & Operational Compliance

• Partner with IT Security to design and enforce network micro-segmentation, next-generation firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco Firepower), and IPS/IDS.
• Manage enterprise NAC (Cisco ISE / Aruba ClearPass), ZTNA, and secure remote access/VPN infrastructure.
• Maintain compliance with enterprise IT security standards, audit requirements, and ITIL-aligned service management practices.

Automation & Service Improvement

• Automate recurring operational tasks, provisioning workflows, and configuration auditing using Python, Ansible, Terraform, or REST APIs.
• Maintain network topology documentation, IPAM records, SOPs, and operational runbooks.

Leadership & Vendor Coordination

• Lead infrastructure expansion and network modernization projects from design to operational handover.
• Provide technical mentorship to network engineers and system administrators.
• Manage relations with telecom providers, ISPs, and hardware vendors to enforce SLAs and resolve escalated carrier issues.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 7-10+ years of hands-on experience in enterprise network engineering, data center networking, and infrastructure operations.
• Demonstrated history of supporting multi-site enterprise environments, campus networks, and cloud hybrid setups.

Professional Certifications

• Cisco: CCNP Enterprise / CCNP Security required; CCIE is a strong plus.
• Firewall/Security: PCNSE (Palo Alto) or NSE 4/7 (Fortinet) required.
• Cloud Networking: AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty or Azure Network Engineer Associate required.
• IT Service Management: ITIL v3/v4 Foundation preferred for operations alignment.

Technical Skills Matrix

• Routing & Switching: BGP, OSPF, EVPN/VXLAN, Spanning Tree (RSTP/MSTP), LACP, VRRP/HSRP.
• Network Security: Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet FortiGate, IPsec VPN, SSL-VPN, ZTNA.
• Wireless & NAC: Cisco Catalyst/DNA Center, Aruba Wireless, Cisco ISE, 802.1X.
• SD-WAN & Cloud: Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela), Palo Alto Prisma, AWS DirectConnect, Azure ExpressRoute.
• Automation & Tooling: Python, Ansible, Terraform, Git, NetBox, REST APIs.
• Monitoring & Protocols: SNMPv3, Syslog, NetFlow/sFlow, IPAM, DNS/DHCP, Wireshark.

Key Performance Indicators