Network Engineer I

Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Support and enhance the performance, reliability, and security of our enterprise network infrastructure in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment. As a Network Engineer I, you will play a key role in maintaining and optimizing firewalls, routers, SD-WAN, wired and wireless networks, and network access control systems that keep the business connected and running efficiently. You will partner closely with senior network engineers, IT operations, and security teams to troubleshoot real-time network challenges, improve connectivity, and support critical infrastructure initiatives. This role is ideal for a motivated and technically curious professional who is eager to grow their networking expertise, solve complex problems, and build a strong foundation in enterprise network engineering.

This position has a target wage of $20.00 - $30.00 per hour, based on shift, experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance). Overtime may be available.

In addition to hourly wages, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide day to day operational support for enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, and VPN environments.
• Monitor network performance, availability, and alerts using approved monitoring tools such as Opsramp, Solarwinds and Armis.
• Respond to and remediate network incidents and service disruptions in accordance with predefined SLAs. Collaborate with helpdesk, information security team, application teams, and senior network engineers to resolve network related issues quickly.
• Perform basic Layer 1\u20133 troubleshooting and escalate complex issues as appropriate. Support common network services and protocols including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and routing fundamentals.
• Assist with installation, configuration, and maintenance of network devices including switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points.
• Perform routine network maintenance tasks such as configuration backups, firmware upgrades, and port provisioning.
• Follow change management procedures and participate in approved maintenance windows.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 1+ year in managing and deploying network devices (Routers, Switches, Load balancers, Access Points, Wireless Controllers).
• Incumbents must exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills as they will work in a fast-paced team-based environment.
• Knowledge or experience in switched Ethernet (Cisco, Aruba), Wireless (Aruba), Firewalls (Palo Alto), WAN transmission technologies (MPLS, SDWAN), remote troubleshooting, Protocols: TCP/IP, EIGRP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree, with preferred emphasis in Information Systems, Computer Science or Math.
• Having knowledge of cloud network technologies such as Aruba Central, Cisco Meraki and Palo Alto SCM.
• One to three years of progressive networking experience, NOC experience.
• Working toward, or having networking certifications (CCNA, Net+, A+).

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Ability to work in an open-partitioned cubicle environment.
• Ability to communicate via telephone. Email, Chat and in person.
• Ability to support off-hours for problems and staffing coverage.
• Ability to operate a computer terminal and a workstation, using keyboard, mouse and reading a monitor.
• Ability to remain stationery for up to 7.5 hours a day or more.
• Ability to travel, possibly overnight, to any customer area, which could be any Perdue facility or to a remote site for disaster recovery or training.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to carry or transport hardware/software up to 30 lbs.
• Must be able to implement hardware.

Ability to climb stairs/ladder, work in parts of the building/facility which house the wiring infrastructure to review, test or implement computer products/ser

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.