Networking & Hardware Specialist

Job Title: NETWORKING & HARDWARE SPECIALIST
Working Location: Albany, NY facility (Hybrid)- Travel as needed if not local
Long Term Contract

THE OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a hands-on Networking & Hardware Specialist to build and run the physical IT backbone .This is a wire-and-rack role - you will be pulling cable, mounting switches, racking servers, configuring firewalls, deploying workstations and printers, and keeping every endpoint, server, and network device patched, monitored, and secure. You will work under the direction of IT leadership and alongside the Facilities and Operations teams to keep the plant connected and protected 24/7.

WHAT YOU BRING
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Information Technology, or related field - or equivalent hands-on experience
4+ years of hands-on networking and hardware support experience in a business or manufacturing environment
Strong working knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, switching, firewalls, VPN, and wireless networking
Comfortable terminating and testing structured cabling (RJ45, fiber) and reading cable plant documentation
Hands-on Windows Server, Active Directory / Entra ID, and basic Linux administration
Practical cybersecurity skills - endpoint protection, patching, MFA, email filtering, and basic incident response
Experience deploying and supporting end-user hardware, printers, scanners, and AV equipment
Comfortable working in a hard-hat / gowning environment and physically capable of pulling cable, racking gear, and lifting up to 50 lbs
Clear written documentation habits and good ticket discipline

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Network infrastructure - install, configure, and maintain switches, routers, firewalls, wireless access points, and VPN appliances across the facility
Structured cabling - pull, terminate, label, test, and document Cat6/Cat6A copper and fiber runs in office, warehouse, and ISO-classified cleanroom areas
Network segmentation - configure VLANs, ACLs, and firewall rules to separate corporate IT, manufacturing OT, guest, and IoT/equipment traffic
Wi-Fi - deploy and tune wireless coverage for office, warehouse, and cleanroom environments, including survey, AP placement, and SSID/security configuration
Server administration - rack, image, patch, and monitor on-prem and cloud Windows/Linux servers, hypervisors, storage, and UPS systems
Backup and disaster recovery - run scheduled backups, verify restores, and maintain documented recovery procedures for servers and critical workstations
Workstation and end-user hardware - procure, image, deploy, and support laptops, desktops, monitors, dock stations, conference room AV, and mobile devices
Peripheral hardware - install and support label printers, barcode scanners, badge readers, surveillance cameras, and ruggedized devices used inside cleanrooms
Cybersecurity operations - manage endpoint protection (EDR), patching, MFA, email security, and vulnerability scanning; respond to alerts and remediate findings
Identity and access - day-to-day administration of Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) user accounts, groups, SSO, conditional access, and MFA
Monitoring - configure and watch network/server monitoring tools (uptime, bandwidth, security events) and escalate or remediate as needed
Vendor coordination - work with ISPs, cabling contractors, hardware vendors, and managed service providers on installs, RMAs, and on-site visits
Documentation - maintain accurate rack diagrams, IP schemes, cable maps, asset inventories, and standard operating procedures
End-user support - serve as on-site Tier 1-2 support for the team; handle onboarding/offboarding tickets, hardware setup, and break/fix