Role: Network Engineer - Ship Board
Duration: 12 Months
Location: Remote, (EST time zone - some travel)
Description and Location
The Senior Network Engineer Shipboard is responsible for analyzing business and operational needs across the fleet and developing robust, cost-effective network solutions that align with company objectives. This role involves evaluating, designing, and implementing advanced shipboard IT systems while ensuring scalability, resilience, and compliance with industry and maritime standards.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform detailed analysis, planning, engineering, and design of shipboard and shoreside data networks to support business and operational requirements.
- Partner with business groups and internal stakeholders to develop technical solutions addressing current and future fleet demands.
- Design, configure, and upgrade network components to support vessel growth, newbuilds, and drydock infrastructure requirements.
- Prepare, stage, and implement assigned shipboard network projects, ensuring alignment with project leaders and departmental objectives.
- Manage project rollouts, coordinating closely with the Lead Engineer and Project Management Office (PMO) to validate vendor deliverables and project scope.
- Develop comprehensive Bills of Materials (BoM) and oversee the full lifecycle of shipboard network projects, from planning through execution.
- Evaluate LAN/WAN, wireless, and satellite communication hardware/software, recommending and justifying upgrades or replacements.
- Define, document, and enforce technical standards for shipboard and fleetwide network architecture.
- Coordinate the integration of new network solutions and services in alignment with global IT standards and under guidance from Network Leadership.
- Utilize monitoring and management tools (e.g., DNAC, ISE, Fortinet, Aruba, etc.) to proactively ensure system availability and identify early warning issues.Conduct preventive maintenance and collaborate with vendors to implement recommended updates and patches.
- Troubleshoot and resolve escalated issues from shipboard environments, minimizing downtime for both crew and passenger services.
- Develop and maintain uniform operational procedures for LAN/WAN, wireless, and hybrid network environments across the fleet.
- Manage hybrid, cloud-based, and on-premises integrations to support global IT operations.
- Review and execute change management requests for shipboard, cloud, and data center managed services.Build and maintain professional relationships with key vendors, ensuring reliable partnerships and efficient delivery of services.
Manage and oversee external resources and contractors to achieve business needs efficiently - Ensure NCLH shipboard network processes and best practices are clearly documented and consistently applied.
- Lead the resolution of complex service provider and satellite communication issues with minimal impact to shipboard operations.
- Oversee and validate backup schedules of critical systems, ensuring service recovery and high availability in the event of failures.
- Serve as a senior technical escalation point for Level 2 engineers across shipboard and shoreside teams.
- Travel internationally as required (30 35%), primarily outside the United States, to support shipboard projects, drydocks, newbuilds, and operational deployments.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fleetwide IT strategies.
Qualifications
Bachelor s Degree in Computer Science, MIS, or related field of study; or any equivalent combination of relevant experience, education, and training. Mid-level networking certifications strongly preferred
Experience
5-7 years of experience with configuration and management of enterprise networking hardware, including routers, switches, voice over IP telephony, wireless infrastructure, cloud services, firewalls, and internet proxy devices. Recent experience with network administration / configuration/ management related. Industry experience strongly preferred.
Competencies/Skills
- Advanced Networking Expertise Demonstrated mastery of enterprise routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP) and switching technologies (Spanning Tree, VLANs, trunking, MPLS), with strong proficiency in Cisco technologies, proprietary protocols, and industry networking standards.
ACI / SDA / ISE Proficiency Proven hands-on experience with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), Software-Defined Access (SDA), and Identity Services Engine (ISE) for policy-driven access, segmentation, automation, and secure shipboard network operations. - Aruba & Fortinet Expertise Skilled in Aruba wireless solutions (controllers, ClearPass, Airwave) and Fortinet platforms (firewalls, Forti Authenticator, Forti Analyzer) to deliver secure, high-performance wired/wireless connectivity across shipboard and island environments.
- Shipboard Troubleshooting Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly resolve complex shipboard network issues in high-pressure, mission-critical environments.
Project Leadership Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and execute large-scale network infrastructure projects (newbuilds, drydocks, and fleet upgrades), meeting deadlines and deliverables while adapting to resource and logistical constraints.
Technology Proficiency Current knowledge of core IT infrastructure including routers, switches, firewalls, cloud and hybrid services, wireless platforms, and maritime security systems. Strong understanding of interoperability between hardware, software, and satellite communications.
Operational Agility Capacity to work independently in remote shipboard environments, multitask effectively, and make sound, real-time decisions to maintain network uptime and reliability.
Research & Innovation Ability to evaluate emerging technologies, conduct in-depth analysis of shipboard network challenges, and implement innovative, practical solutions aligned with fleetwide IT strategies.
Communication Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interpret and produce technical manuals, procedural documentation, and training materials for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Collaboration Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills with a proven commitment to cross-departmental collaboration, both shipboard and shoreside.
Initiative & Prioritization Skilled at managing multiple priorities, showing initiative in problem-solving, and aligning efforts with organizational objectives.
Physical Requirements Ability to safely lift, install, and secure shipboard network hardware and related equipment, with reasonable accommodation when required.
Certifications/Licenses
CCNA/CCDA/CCNP/CCDP/CCIE
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional/Expert (DevNet) highlights network automation/orchestration expertise.
Aruba Certified Mobility Professional (ACMP) / Aruba Certified Edge Professional
Fortinet NSE 4 7
AWS Certified Advanced Networking
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