Network Engineer

About the role

The team is supporting significant facility expansion projects, including new clean rooms, telecom infrastructure, and lab buildouts. The contractor will primarily support network deployment activities across the campus, including configuring, deploying, and maintaining network equipment. This is a hands-on implementation and support role rather than a network design position. Network architectures and designs are already established by the engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and configure network switches and related hardware
• Support campus infrastructure projects
• Perform rack-and-stack activities
• Handle device decommissioning
• Update monitoring systems following deployments and removals
• Maintain device inventory within SolarWinds Orion and Cacti
• Participate in project meetings and collaborate with engineering teams
• Provide operational support during periods with fewer project activities

Requirements

• CCNA certification required (minimum certification requirement)
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting campus network environments
• Strong experience configuring and deploying Cisco switches
• Solid understanding of Layer 2 networking concepts
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst switches, particularly the 9300 series
• Experience performing switch deployment, configuration, rack-and-stack, and decommissioning activities
• Ability to work onsite daily
• Strong hands-on Cisco networking experience
• Proven switch deployment and configuration experience
• Ability to work independently in a campus environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Arista switches (especially the 7050 series)
• Experience working in large enterprise environments
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools such as Cacti and SolarWinds Orion
• Experience supporting operational network environments in addition to project work
• Higher-level Cisco certifications (CCNP/CCIE) are desirable but not required
• Arista networking experience
• Network monitoring tool administration
• Project implementation exposure
• Experience participating in project planning discussions

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: Eligible employees and their dependents receive healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.
• Dental Insurance: Eligible employees and their dependents receive a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• Vision Insurance: Eligible employees receive vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• 401(k) Plan: Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first of the month following at least 1 calendar year after employment begins.