Network Manager/Director (Contract to Hire)

Job Summary:

The Manager/Director of Network Engineering will lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of our network infrastructure, ensuring reliable voice, data, and network provisioning across our organization. This role will require strategic oversight and operational management of our networking systems, as well as a deep understanding of advanced networking and security protocols. The ideal candidate will have proven expertise with Fortinet and Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco ISE, Cisco Nexus, Cisco Meraki, and WebEx. They will manage a team of network engineers, drive initiatives to improve performance and security, and work closely with IT leadership to align network operations with business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Strong knowledge of network infrastructure design, management, and support
• Proficiency with Fortigate and Palo Alto firewall configurations, security policies, and troubleshooting
• Expertise in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for secure network access and policy enforcement
• Advanced skills in Cisco Nexus switch configuration and data center networking
• Experience with Meraki for cloud-managed network solutions
• Deep understanding of WebEx administration and integration for collaboration and communications
• In-depth understanding of TCP/IP, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and VPN technologies
• Knowledge of voice-over-IP (VoIP) protocols and systems integration
• Experience in network provisioning and capacity planning
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in network engineering and management
• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role overseeing network engineering teams of at least 15 people or more
• Proven track record of managing network infrastructure projects from conception through completion
• Experience with network security best practices, including policy creation and incident response
• Demonstrated experience with Fortigate and Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco ISE, Nexus, Meraki, and WebEx
• Experience managing and forecasting for an operational budget.

Skills Preferred:

• Familiarity with SD-WAN and network automation technologies
• Knowledge of cloud networking environments, particularly AWS and Azure
• Experience with network monitoring tools and SIEM systems (e.g., SolarWinds, Splunk)
• Understanding of network security frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR)
• Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for automation purposes
• Project management experience and familiarity with Agile methodologies

Experience Preferred:

• Prior experience working in a large, distributed enterprise environment
• Hands-on experience with SD-WAN implementations and hybrid cloud network solutions
• Familiarity with managing networks for both on-premises and remote work environments

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

Education Preferred:

• Relevant certifications, including:
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)
• Fortinet NSE 4 or higher
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)