Network Engineer - Advanced Level

Senior Network Engineer

Location: Oak Brook, IL | Hybrid Work Opportunities Available

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for the strategy, design, implementation, operations, and continuous improvement of PALIG's enterprise network and voice infrastructure. This includes LAN/WAN/SD-WAN, wireless, security, and cloud connectivity.

This role requires deep hands-on experience with Cisco and HPE switching, Cisco routers, Silver Peak SD-WAN, Aruba Wireless, firewall technologies (Palo Alto and Cisco), AWS networking, and BGP routing. Additionally, the Senior Network Engineer must possess strong expertise in VoIP and Cisco Voice solutions, with experience supporting Contact Center platforms (AWS, Cisco, or Microsoft). Strong troubleshooting, automation, documentation, and project execution skills are essential.

Essential Functions:

Architecture, Security Collaboration & Technical Planning

• Collaborate with the Network Architecture team on architectural initiatives, technology evaluations, modernization efforts, and design reviews to ensure operational feasibility and long-term supportability
• Review and provide engineering-level feedback on network designs, including configuration complexity, dependencies, operational impact, and support considerations
• Translate approved architectural designs into deployment plans, configuration approaches, and implementation sequencing
• Partner with Network Security leadership and engineers to understand security requirements, standards, and control objectives and ensure network designs align with security policies
• Identify operational or security risks during planning phases, escalate concerns as needed, and recommend mitigation strategies
• Contribute to the definition of implementation standards for LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, voice, and Internet edge connectivity
• Support planning efforts for office expansions, data center migrations, WAN upgrades, and cloud connectivity initiatives
• Provide operational input related to monitoring, logging, visibility, and automation requirements associated with architectural and security initiatives

Engineering Implementation & Secure Technology Enablement

• Implement and maintain enterprise networking solutions using Cisco routers, Cisco and HPE switches, and Silver Peak/Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN technologies
• Deploy, configure, and support Aruba wireless solutions in alignment with architectural standards and security requirements
• Configure and troubleshoot routing and Internet connectivity, including BGP, ISP integrations, redundancy, and failover
• Coordinate network connectivity and policy implementation with Network Security Engineers responsible for firewalls, segmentation, and secure access controls
• Support firewall and security integrations involving Palo Alto and Cisco firewall platforms
• Engineer, support, and troubleshoot Cisco Voice solutions, including dial plans, SIP, gateways, QoS, and call flows
• Provide technical support for Contact Center platforms (AWS, Cisco, or Microsoft) with an emphasis on connectivity, reliability, and voice quality
• Support AWS networking and hybrid connectivity initiatives in collaboration with Cloud and Security teams
• Execute structured cabling and physical network deployments, including MDF/IDF buildouts, labeling, testing, and vendor coordination
• Participate in data center migrations and new office implementations, including network cutovers, validation, and rollback execution

Operational Management & Network Reliability

• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex incidents impacting LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, Internet edge, and voice services
• Perform advanced network and voice troubleshooting using packet captures, logs, telemetry, and traffic flow analysis
• Collaborate with Network Security Engineers during security incidents, investigations, and containment activities
• Operate, maintain, and continuously improve monitoring and visibility tools, including baselines, alert tuning, dashboards, and reporting
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities, providing network and voice expertise and documenting corrective actions
• Execute change management activities, including peer reviews, implementations, validations, and post-change documentation
• Leverage automation tools and scripting (e.g., NetBrain) to improve troubleshooting efficiency, configuration accuracy, and operational effectiveness
• Maintain network configuration integrity and compliance through backups, audits, golden configurations, and drift identification
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, including network diagrams, IP schemas, voice call flows, and operational runbooks
• Independently manage multiple operational and project assignments while prioritizing work based on business impact and risk

Education & Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications or Computer Science with 5+ years of experience, or an additional 5 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
• Proven experience working closely with Network Architecture and Network Security teams
• Strong hands-on experience supporting LAN/WAN/SD-WAN, wireless, voice, firewall-adjacent networking, and cloud connectivity

Preferred:

• Previous Help Desk experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Enterprise networking and routing principles
• SD-WAN technologies (Silver Peak / Aruba EdgeConnect)
• Aruba wireless enterprise design and deployment
• Cisco Voice and Contact Center connectivity
• Network security concepts and controls
• Proven experience and success with LAN, WAN, WLAN, and WWAN design and implementation
• Proven experience with network capacity planning, network security principles, and general network management best practices
• Advanced troubleshooting and operational analysis
• Secure implementation aligned with architectural and security standards
• Automation and scripting for operational efficiency
• Monitoring and observability tool usage
• Clear technical documentation and change execution
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Network Architecture and Network Security teams
• Ability to translate architectural and security intent into stable implementations
• Ability to work independently while aligning to enterprise standards
• Ability to manage competing priorities and operational demands
• Ability to communicate clearly during incidents and cross-team initiatives
• Excellent networking hardware troubleshooting experience
• Competence with testing tools and procedures for data circuits
• Good understanding of the organization's goals and objectives
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Able to conduct research into networking issues and products as required
• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail
• Able to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Strong customer service orientation
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package (base salary & bonus)
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental coverage effective the first of the month following 30 days of service
• Hybrid work opportunities

About Us:

Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) serves the life, accident, and health insurance needs of individuals and businesses across 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands through its U.S.-based member companies—Pan-American Life Insurance Company and Pan-American Assurance Company.

At PALIG, our employees are our greatest asset. We value collaboration, trust, and the confidence of our policyholders. Our long-standing commitment to excellence continues to drive our success.

Pan-American Life is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.