Network Engineer - Contract - Columbia, SC

Network Engineer
Location: Blythewood, SC

Interview Process:Two Rounds. Candidate needs to be prepared to go onsite for one or both interviews. 
Duration: 12 Months
Employment Type: Contract
Experience Required: 12+ Years

Project Scope:

Seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to support enterprise Network Operations Center (NOC) initiatives by managing, maintaining, and optimizing a large-scale statewide network infrastructure. The consultant will provide advanced technical leadership in network design, implementation, troubleshooting, security, and operational support while ensuring high availability, performance, and compliance across enterprise network environments.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise with Cisco networking technologies, Palo Alto firewalls, enterprise routing and switching, VPN technologies, and network security. This role requires collaboration with cross-functional infrastructure teams, participation in network modernization initiatives, and providing technical guidance to peers.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Configure, install, maintain, and upgrade enterprise networking infrastructure.

·        Administer and support Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and related networking technologies.

·        Manage and troubleshoot Palo Alto firewall environments.

·        Monitor network performance and proactively identify connectivity and security issues.

·        Perform advanced network troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and issue resolution.

·        Design, implement, and support secure enterprise network solutions.

·        Maintain network architecture diagrams and technical documentation.

·        Support network security initiatives and ensure compliance with cybersecurity best practices.

·        Troubleshoot voice-integrated network infrastructure and connectivity issues.

·        Participate in network upgrades, maintenance windows, and infrastructure modernization projects.

·        Collaborate with infrastructure, security, and operations teams to ensure reliable service delivery.

·        Provide technical guidance, knowledge transfer, and mentoring to junior team members.

·        Participate in after-hours and weekend support activities when required.

Required Skills & Experience:

·        10+ years of experience with Cisco Firewalls.

·        10+ years of experience with Cisco Routers.

·        10+ years of experience with Cisco Switches.

·        10+ years of experience with Cisco VPN technologies.

·        10+ years of Cisco Network Administration experience.

·        5+ years of experience with Palo Alto Firewalls.

·        Strong experience with enterprise network troubleshooting and performance optimization.

·        Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

·        10+ years of experience with network monitoring and tracing tools.

·        10+ years of experience designing and supporting enterprise core network architecture.

·        10+ years of advanced routing and switching experience.

·        4+ years of experience supporting enterprise wireless networks.

·        3+ years of experience with hybrid cloud infrastructure.

·        Experience working in large enterprise or government network environments.

·        Experience working in fast-paced Network Operations Center (NOC) environments.

Education
Bachelor's Degree OR Four additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree.

Required Certifications:

·        CCNA

·        CCNP