Senior Data Center Network Engineer

Senior Data Center Network/Mellanox Engineer
Location: Remote, United States
Employment type: Contract
Schedule: Participation in a 24x7 operational support model with weekend coverage required
Need to be strong in: BGP EVPN/VXLAN, Troubleshooting, Firewall, Automation (ansible/python).

Overview:
Simple Solutions is searching for a Senior Data Center Network Engineer to support large-scale AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data center deployments. This role will focus on deploying, validating, troubleshooting, and operationalizing complex Ethernet fabrics supporting GPU compute clusters. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in modern data center networking, automation, Linux administration, and large-scale leaf-spine architectures.

This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI infrastructure projects while partnering with engineering teams, customers, and data center operations personnel to deliver reliable and repeatable deployments.

Responsibilities

• Perform cluster bring-up activities using approved deployment methodologies, automation workflows, and configuration standards.
• Design and validate large-scale Ethernet fabrics utilizing CLOS and leaf-spine architectures.
• Develop IP addressing plans and validate network topology, connectivity documentation, and infrastructure designs.
• Build, provision, test, and validate network switch configurations in lab and production environments.
• Configure and troubleshoot inter-node networking, including RoCE-enabled environments.
• Develop automation scripts and tooling using Python and Ansible.
• Troubleshoot network, hardware, cabling, and configuration issues during deployment and operational support activities.
• Partner with data center technicians and remote-hands teams to coordinate remediation efforts.
• Document incidents, troubleshooting findings, root cause analysis, and deployment outcomes.
• Create deployment records, configuration artifacts, validation reports, and operational handoff documentation.
• Communicate project status, risks, blockers, and technical updates to stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with Ethernet switching, routing, and TCP/IP networking.
• Expert-level experience designing, implementing, and troubleshooting data center leaf-spine/CLOS architectures.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with:
• BGP
• EVPN
• VXLAN
• 3+ years of Linux systems administration experience.
• 2+ years of Python and Ansible automation experience.
• Experience with ZTP, PXE, and DHCP-based provisioning technologies.
• Experience supporting customer-facing engagements in professional services, consulting, or technical support environments.
• Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools for technical operations and automation development.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, shift-based support environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Cumulus Linux.
• Experience deploying and supporting AI GPU clusters or HPC environments.
• Experience with RoCE networking and high-performance interconnect technologies.
• Experience diagnosing physical-layer and cabling issues within data center environments.
• Previous experience serving as a technical lead, shift lead, or mentor to engineering teams.

Technical Skills

• Ethernet Switching & Routing
• TCP/IP Networking
• Data Center Networking
• CLOS / Leaf-Spine Architectures
• BGP
• EVPN
• VXLAN
• RoCE
• Cumulus Linux
• Linux Administration
• Python
• Ansible
• Network Automation
• ZTP
• PXE
• DHCP
• AI Infrastructure
• GPU Clusters
• HPC Environments
• Deployment & Operational Support