Senior Network Engineer (Dallas, TX - Onsite)
Summary
Senior Network Engineer (contract-to-hire, onsite in Dallas, TX) who designs, secures, optimizes, and operates enterprise network infrastructure across WAN/LAN/WLAN, SD-WAN, data center, cloud, and security environments. Acts as senior technical lead and escalation point, driving modernization projects and mentoring other engineers, with a Cisco-centric, security-focused stack.
Job Title: Senior Network Engineer
Position Type: Contract to Hire
Location: Onsite 5 days a week - Dallas, TX
Role Overview:
The Senior Network Engineer is an advanced networking professional responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, security, and operational support of enterprise network infrastructure.
Serving as a senior technical leader, this role develops networking standards, drives modernization initiatives, architects secure and scalable network solutions, acts as a senior escalation resource, and provides mentorship to other engineers.
This position supports WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, data center, cybersecurity, and cloud networking environments.
Responsibilities:
Network Design & Implementation:
- Design, implement, and optimize enterprise network infrastructure.
- Architect secure and scalable network solutions.
- Design, secure, and optimize enterprise networks across WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, data center, cybersecurity, and cloud networking environments.
Technical Leadership & Modernization:
- Serve as a senior technical leader for the network engineering function.
- Drive modernization initiatives and lead technical projects and modernization efforts.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and solutions.
- Manage multiple priorities and strategic initiatives.
Operations, Security & Escalation Support:
- Provide security and operational support for enterprise network infrastructure.
- Act as a senior escalation resource.
- Troubleshoot highly complex networking issues.
Standards, Documentation & Mentorship:
- Develop networking and engineering standards and documentation.
- Provide technical mentorship and leadership to other engineers.
- Communicate effectively with executives, engineers, vendors, and business stakeholders.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or related field; OR Associate degree with seven (7) years of progressively responsible network engineering experience; OR equivalent combination of education, certifications, training, and experience.
Experience:
- 7+ years designing, implementing, troubleshooting, and supporting enterprise network environments.
- Required Experience: Complex Cisco networking environments; wireless infrastructure; firewalls; cloud networking; network security technologies; enterprise infrastructure projects.
- Preferred Experience: Technical leadership and mentoring experience.
Technical Knowledge:
- Enterprise Network Architecture: WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), routing and switching protocols, and network segmentation.
- Data Center Networking: Data center networking architectures and technologies.
- Cloud Networking: Cloud networking architectures and connectivity.
- Network Security: Network security, Zero Trust, firewalls, and secure network design.
- Monitoring & Observability: Monitoring and observability platforms.
- Disaster Recovery: Network disaster recovery planning and implementation.
- Automation & IaC: Network automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
- Project Management: Project management methodologies and technical project delivery.
Key Skills:
- Network Engineering: Design, secure, and optimize enterprise networks.
- Technical Leadership: Lead technical projects and modernization efforts.
- Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot highly complex networking issues.
- Standards & Documentation: Develop engineering standards and documentation.
- Technology Evaluation: Evaluate emerging technologies and solutions.
- Mentorship: Provide technical mentorship and leadership.
- Communication: Communicate effectively with executives, engineers, vendors, and business stakeholders.
- Strategic Priorities: Manage multiple priorities and strategic initiatives.
Preferred Certifications:
- Cisco: Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise); Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
- Cloud: AWS Advanced Networking – Specialty; Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate.
- Wireless: Aruba Certified Professional/Expert.
- Other: Equivalent advanced networking certifications.