Cisco Network Engineer

Cincinnati, OH

Hybrid role (3 days per week onsite)

$48 - $52 per hour

1-year contract with strong opportunity for extension or full-time hire

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our client is seeking a Cisco Network Engineer for a hybrid role based in Cincinnati, OH, on a 12-month contract with potential for extension or hire. In this position, you will support the implementation, modernization, and lifecycle management of critical network infrastructure across the Midwest region, focusing on Cisco enterprise routing, switching, SD-WAN, wireless, and network security technologies. You will work hands-on with network solutions supporting substations, corporate offices, and other business-critical locations. The successful candidate will implement, test, troubleshoot, and document reliable network solutions in a large, process-driven environment, collaborating within an Agile engineering team. This role requires strong technical expertise in Cisco networking, practical troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience with enterprise WAN concepts, network segmentation, and network automation tools is highly valued, and relevant Cisco certifications and experience in critical infrastructure environments are considered a plus.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Configure, implement, test, and support Cisco routers, switches, wireless access points, and related network infrastructure using established architecture standards and templates
• Deploy and support Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN solutions, including WAN edge routers, transport connectivity, segmentation, centralized policies, and application-aware routing
• Support WAN modernization across SD-WAN, MPLS, private Ethernet, internet, cellular, and other public or private WAN services
• Troubleshoot routing, switching, SD-WAN, wireless, WAN connectivity, firewall policy, and Layer 2/Layer 3 communication issues
• Implement and validate network resiliency, segmentation, failover, quality of service, and high-availability capabilities
• Prepare engineering job packages with equipment lists, installation instructions, implementation and test plans, rollback procedures, and supporting documentation
• Create and maintain physical and logical network drawings, rack elevations, wiring diagrams, layouts, and power drawings using Microsoft Visio
• Ensure monitoring, alarming, logging, asset records, and operational documentation are complete before solutions are placed into service
• Coordinate, activate, test, and troubleshoot private and public WAN circuits
• Monitor implementation work for compliance with engineering standards, cybersecurity requirements, applicable regulations, and approved procedures
• Support network automation using Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Git, or similar scripting and orchestration technologies
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, cybersecurity, field resources, telecommunications carriers, vendors, and business partners
• Follow formal change management practices, including impact analysis, peer review, approvals, validation, rollback planning, and documentation
• Participate in planned implementations, maintenance, and troubleshooting outside normal business hours when required
• Work within an Agile engineering environment on team-based projects and assignments

WHAT YOU BRING

• High school diploma or GED
• Ability to successfully complete required background screening
• Demonstrated experience configuring, implementing, or supporting Cisco routers and switches
• Solid understanding of IPv4, subnetting, TCP/IP, VLANs, IEEE 802.1Q trunks, Spanning Tree Protocol, and link aggregation
• Working knowledge of OSPF, BGP, enterprise WAN concepts, and route selection
• Ability to troubleshoot Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity issues using a structured approach
• General understanding of wireless, firewall, access control, and network segmentation technologies
• Working knowledge of copper and fiber cabling standards and connector types
• Ability to create and maintain accurate technical documentation and network diagrams
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow engineering, cybersecurity, and change management processes
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal, and teamwork skills
• Ability to work productively with limited direct supervision
• Willingness and ability to support scheduled work outside normal business hours when required

NICE TO HAVE

• Cisco CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, or comparable demonstrated experience
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst platforms and Cisco IOS or IOS-XE
• Experience deploying, migrating, supporting, or troubleshooting Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (formerly Cisco Viptela)
• Advanced knowledge of OSPF and BGP, including path selection, filtering, summarization, and redistribution
• Experience with VRFs, MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, DMVPN, IPsec, quality of service, route maps, prefix lists, access control lists, and BGP communities
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco ISE, Cisco ACI, or controller-based wireless technologies
• Experience with Palo Alto Networks firewalls or Cisco Secure Firewall
• Experience using Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Git, PowerShell, Bash, or similar technologies for network automation
• Experience with SolarWinds, BlueCat IPAM, Opengear terminal servers, SNMP, syslog, NetFlow, or packet analysis tools
• Experience preparing engineering job packages, implementation plans, test plans, rollback plans, equipment lists, and network diagrams
• Experience coordinating telecommunications circuits and working with carriers or vendors
• Experience with SCADA communications, operational technology networks, substations, control centers, regulated utilities, or other critical infrastructure
• Experience with Jira, Agile methodologies, and formal change management processes
• Self-directed, organized, collaborative, and willing to learn new technologies

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