Network Engineer

Network Engineer - Contract or CTP - Tampa, FL - $ 50.38 - $ 50.38 /hr.

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's/applicant's qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship not available.

Our client is seeking a Network Engineer in Tampa, FL.

Role Description

We are seeking a hands-on Network Operations Lead who will play a dual role - serving as the onsite network support engineer while also managing a remote network support team. This position requires 40 hours onsite weekly, providing direct support for network infrastructure and ensuring operational excellence across both onsite and remote environments.
The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You will handle all onsite network troubleshooting and support, while also driving performance, training, and accountability within your remote team.

Troubleshoot and support all onsite network infrastructure issues.
Maintain and support Cisco switches, Meraki Wireless Access Points (WAPs), structured data cabling, Webex video conferencing systems, and VoIP telephony systems.
Serve as the primary onsite point of contact for all network-related support tasks.
Manage the full lifecycle of network hardware RMAs, including configuring emergency replacements, integrate with vendor support, tracking and documentation.
Remote Team Management:
Lead a distributed network operations support team.
Foster a high-performance culture with a strong sense of urgency and ownership.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and training to support team growth and skill development.
General Network Operations Duties:
Oversee network monitoring, maintenance, and incident response.
Perform root cause analysis of recurring network problems and implement long-term solutions.
Ensure network security policies and protocols are consistently enforced.
Develop and maintain operational procedures and documentation.
Plan and execute network performance improvements, upgrades, and scalability projects.
Collaborate with IT, Security, and Support teams to support broader initiatives.
Prepare and deliver regular reports on network health, incident trends, and team performance.

Skills & Requirements

Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
Minimum 8 years of experience in network operations, with at least 2+ years managing teams.
Strong hands-on experience with:
Cisco switching and routing
Meraki networking platforms
VoIP systems and conferencing tools like Cisco Webex & Microsoft Teams
Data cabling standards and structured cabling troubleshooting

Skills & Competencies:
Advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Proven ability to lead and motivate technical teams.
Excellent communication skills - clear and concise for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong organizational skills for managing RMAs, SLAs, and documentation.
Working knowledge of network diagnostic tools (e.g., SolarWinds).
Experience with network protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, BGP, OSPF).
Experience with SD-WAN and hybrid network environments is a plus.
Familiarity with network security practices (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).

Preferred Certifications:
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or higher.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Other relevant network and infrastructure certifications.

Benefits/Other Compensation

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit).

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it.

Nervous about an upcoming interview? Unsure how to write a new resume?

Visit the Hays Career Advice section to learn top tips to help you stand out from the crowd when job hunting.

Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays' guiding principles is 'do the right thing'.
We also believe that actions speak louder than words.
In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text .

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

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