Contract Senior Network Engineer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to support a large-scale network modernization and standardization initiative across multiple manufacturing locations. This consultant will help design and implement secure, highly available enterprise network environments with a particular focus on Cisco ISE, network segmentation, and Cisco Catalyst Center/DNA Center.
The ideal candidate combines strong network design capabilities with hands-on execution experience and has supported manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, or other mission-critical 24x7 environments where network reliability and uptime are essential.
This is a 6+ month contract engagement, with potential for extension or conversion.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement secure, highly available Cisco network environments across multiple locations.
- Lead hands-on Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) configuration and implementation, including:
- Network access control (NAC)
- Authentication and authorization
- Policy creation and administration
- Device onboarding
- Design and implement network segmentation and access-control policies across complex enterprise environments.
- Utilize Cisco Catalyst Center / Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) for network planning, deployment, and execution.
- Support network modernization and standardization initiatives across manufacturing sites.
- Design solutions with the reliability requirements of 24x7, mission-critical operations in mind.
- Troubleshoot complex network and connectivity issues.
- Bring proven network architecture, security, and implementation best practices to the organization.
- Partner with technical stakeholders while remaining directly involved in configuration, deployment, and execution.
Required Qualifications
- Extensive hands-on experience as a Network Engineer, Network Security Engineer, or Cisco Network Engineer.
- Deep hands-on expertise with Cisco ISE, including implementation and policy configuration.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing network segmentation.
- Strong Cisco enterprise networking background.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst Center and/or Cisco DNA Center (DNAC).
- Experience supporting highly available, 24x7 network environments.
- Ability to operate as both a technical designer and hands-on implementer.
Preferred Qualifications
- Network engineering experience within manufacturing, plant, industrial, or OT environments.
- Experience supporting networks across multiple plants or physical locations.
- Healthcare/hospital or comparable mission-critical infrastructure experience will also be considered.
- Experience implementing segmentation and network access controls in environments where downtime has significant operational impact.
Ideal Candidate
The strongest candidate will be a hands-on Cisco network engineer who has personally implemented Cisco ISE and network segmentation, rather than someone who has simply supported an environment where those technologies were present. They should be equally comfortable designing the solution and rolling up their sleeves to configure, deploy, troubleshoot, and execute it.
