Sr. Network & Server Engineer

Senior Network and Server Engineer
Manufacturing Systems

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Network and Server Engineer to design, implement, and manage the IT infrastructure supporting our automotive manufacturing operations. This role requires deep technical expertise across virtualization, server, and network platforms, combined with the leadership and project management skills needed to plan and deliver infrastructure initiatives across a manufacturing environment where uptime, reliability, and production continuity are critical.

Key Responsibilities

Design, deploy, and maintain enterprise virtualization environments using VMware and Nutanix, including capacity planning, HA/DR configuration, and lifecycle upgrades.
Administer and support Windows Server 2019+ infrastructure, including Active Directory, DNS/DHCP, file/print services, and patch management.
Manage and maintain Cisco Catalyst switching infrastructure and Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC), including VLAN segmentation, QoS, and access control across corporate and plant-floor networks.
Administer and support the Microsoft 365 environment, including Exchange Online, Entra ID (Azure AD), SharePoint/OneDrive, Teams, and endpoint/device management.
Support and maintain network and server infrastructure connecting manufacturing execution systems (MES), plant-floor controllers, and production line equipment to ensure minimal downtime.
Lead and/or participate in infrastructure projects, including data center upgrades, network refreshes, plant expansions, and system migrations, from planning through execution and closeout.
Develop and maintain network diagrams, documentation, and standard operating procedures for server and network environments.
Monitor system and network performance, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact production.
Implement and maintain security best practices across servers, network devices, and wireless infrastructure, including segmentation between IT and OT/manufacturing networks.
Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service providers related to network and server infrastructure.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and IT staff, and coordinate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, engineering, and operations.
Participate in on-call rotation and respond to critical incidents affecting production or infrastructure availability.

Required Qualifications

5+ years of experience in network and server engineering, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Strong hands-on experience with Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure (AHV/Prism).
Solid experience administering Windows Server 2019 environments.
Strong working knowledge of Cisco Catalyst switches and Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC), including VLAN design and segmentation for manufacturing networks.
Strong Microsoft 365 administration skills, including Exchange Online, Entra ID/Azure AD, SharePoint Online, Teams, and security/compliance features.
Demonstrated project management experience, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and leading cross-functional infrastructure projects.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage priorities across IT and manufacturing teams.
Solid understanding of network security principles, including segmentation between enterprise IT and plant-floor/OT networks.
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred (Nice-to-Have) Qualifications

Experience with AI-powered tools and platforms, including Claude or similar large language model assistants, for automating workflows, reporting, or IT operations.
Familiarity with PICO Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or similar MES platforms used in automotive production.
Relevant certifications such as Cisco CCNA/CCNP, VMware VCP, Nutanix NCP, PMP, or similar.
Experience supporting OT/plant-floor networks, PLCs, or industrial control systems.
Basic understanding of CMMC/ITAR/NIST guidelines and requirements.

Skills and Attributes

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a methodical approach to root-cause analysis.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through on projects and incidents.
Comfortable working both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
Demonstrated ability to develop, document, and maintain clear, effective policies, procedures, and technical standards.

Work Environment
This role is based in a manufacturing facility environment and may require occasional presence on the plant floor, as well as periodic after-hours or on-call support to minimize impact to production operations.