Network Engineer (onsite at Tougaloo College (Jackson, Mississippi))

About the role

The Network Engineer at Tougaloo College supports campus and enterprise network services in a higher education environment, ensuring reliable connectivity and secure access.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support campus LAN/WLAN/WAN services, including switching, routing, wireless, and WAN connectivity.
• Implement and maintain advanced Layer 3 routing and segmentation under established architecture standards, including support for SD-WAN and software-defined campus/SD-LAN capabilities.
• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot dynamic routing (e.g., BGP and OSPF; EIGRP where applicable), route policy, and high-availability features.
• Administer Network Access Control (NAC) capabilities, including 802.1X, RADIUS/TACACS+, guest/BYOD onboarding, and posture.
• Administer and secure enterprise DNS, DHCP, and IPAM services, including lifecycle management, backup/restore, change control, auditability, and security hardening.
• Support modern wireless networking technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi 6/6E/7) including AP provisioning, controller/cloud management, RF optimization, roaming performance, and secure authentication.
• Maintain network monitoring and observability, perform troubleshooting using structured methodologies, packet analysis, and root-cause analysis.
• Execute upgrades and lifecycle activities for network hardware/software and configuration standards, including configuration backups and recovery procedures.
• Support network security controls, including firewall policy coordination, VPN, ACLs, and secure management access.
• Deliver excellent customer service: communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders, present findings and recommendations, and set expectations consistent with managed services delivery.

Requirements

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, provide technical guidance, and maintain positive working relationships with users, vendors, and team members.
• Solid proficiency with the OSI model, TCP/IP fundamentals, and structured troubleshooting practices; strong IPv4/IPv6 addressing and subnetting skills.
• Hands-on experience with routing and switching fundamentals and operations (e.g., VLANs, trunking, STP, port security, link aggregation, and high availability).
• Working knowledge of dynamic routing (e.g., OSPF and/or BGP; EIGRP where applicable) and the ability to support SD-WAN and/or SD-LAN environments with guidance from senior engineering resources when needed.
• Hands-on experience implementing or operating Network Access Control (NAC) solutions, including 802.1X and AAA (RADIUS/TACACS+).
• Hands-on experience with DNS and DHCP operations, and exposure to IPAM platforms and practices; ability to implement configuration and security best practices.
• Experience supporting enterprise wireless networks, including controller/cloud-managed architectures, authentication, RF troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Familiarity with BICSI low-voltage cabling practices and the ability to coordinate and validate vendor deliverables in MDF/IDF and classroom/residential environments.
• Strong technical writing skills, process documentation discipline, and the ability to deliver formal presentations to stakeholders when required.
• Demonstrated time and stress management skills, with the proven ability to prioritize and deliver multiple concurrent operational and project commitments in a dynamic environment.
• Able to effectively navigate external dependencies and constraints, proactively communicate impacts, and escalate risks to maintain service quality and delivery timelines.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of network engineering experience in enterprise, campus, or managed services environments; higher education experience is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in structured cabling installation and maintenance, including running, dressing, terminating, labeling, and testing Category 5e and Category 6 copper cabling.
• Experience with patch panel installation, cross-connects, network jack termination, cable management, and cable certification testing is required.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaboration and relationship-building abilities.
• Structured troubleshooting practices.
• OSI model and TCP/IP fundamentals.
• Routing and switching fundamentals.
• Dynamic routing (e.g., OSPF and BGP).
• NAC (Network Access Control) solutions.
• Wireless networking technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi 6/6E/7).
• BICSI low-voltage cabling practices.
• Technical writing and documentation skills.
• Time and stress management skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision.
• Flexible time off.
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) to support health, financial, or learning interests.
• 401(k) with match & BrightPlan to help save for retirement.
• Parental leave.
• Telemedicine.
• Wellness programs such as Headspace Care and Wellbeats.
• Caregiver support through RethinkCare & Wellthy.
• Diversity and inclusion programs.

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD