Network Engineering Manager

This is a 6 month contract-to-hire and needs to meet Client full-time conversion policies. Those dependent on a work permit sponsor now or anytime in the future (ie H1B, OPT, CPT, etc) do not meet Client requirements for this opening.

**MUST BE HYBRID IN Hartford, CT

**MUST BE W2; No Corp-to-Corp**

We re seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Manager, IT Engineering to lead our network engineering team while actively contributing to the design, implementation, and support of our network infrastructure. This role combines technical expertise with strong leadership skills perfect for someone who thrives on rolling up their sleeves and solving complex challenges while also mentoring a high-performing team.
The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of modern networking technologies, excellent troubleshooting skills, and a track record of delivering reliable, scalable, and secure network environments.
Serve as the manager of a team of network engineering specialists, partnering on the design, implementation, and operational support of varied enterprise network platforms. Responsible for the operational effectiveness of the Network Engineering service offerings, as well as strategic and tactical planning and communicating to broad internal customers and peers.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of network engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
Define team goals, track progress, and ensure successful delivery of projects and operational support.
Work closely with IT leadership, security teams, and other stakeholders to align network strategies with business needs.
Hands-On Technical Work
Support, manage, and optimize enterprise network, including LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN, and data center connectivity.
Assist with Design and Implementation of Enterprise Network architecture
Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot network hardware (routers, switches, wireless controllers, access points) and associated software.
Ensure high availability, performance, and scalability across network systems.
Implement and maintain robust network security measures in collaboration with cybersecurity teams.
Lead incident response for network outages and performance issues, providing root cause analysis and preventative recommendations.

Strategic & Operational Responsibilities
Evaluate and recommend network technologies, tools, and vendors.
Oversee capacity planning, performance tuning, and cost management for network operations.
Develop and maintain comprehensive network documentation, including diagrams, standards, and procedures.
Manage network change control processes to minimize downtime and risk.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of progressive network engineering experience, with at least 3 5 years in a leadership role.
Expert-level understanding of:
o Layer 2/3 networking (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, VLANs, STP)
o Network security (VPN, ACLs)
o Wireless networking and controller-based solutions
o DNS, DHCP, Web Application Firewall, NTP, SD-WAN, VPN
Proficiency with network hardware from major vendors (Juniper, Aruba, Cisco, Ivanti, etc.)
Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform) and hybrid architectures.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and documentation abilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Relevant certifications such as CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, or equivalent.
Experience implementing network automation and monitoring solutions (Python, Ansible, etc.).
Experience in high-availability, mission-critical environments.