Network Engineer

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, implement, and support the network infrastructure across our manufacturing facility. This role is critical to maintaining uptime and connectivity across plant-floor operations, corporate systems, and OT/IT integration points. The ideal candidate has deep hands-on experience with enterprise networking in industrial or manufacturing environments and is comfortable working both in the data closet and on the production floor.

Core Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and maintain LAN/WAN, wireless, and VPN infrastructure across the manufacturing facility and any connected sites
• Manage and troubleshoot Cisco (or similar) routers, switches, and firewalls supporting both corporate IT and OT/plant-floor networks
• Support network segmentation between IT and OT environments to ensure security and operational continuity
• Monitor network performance and proactively resolve issues to minimize production downtime
• Manage wireless infrastructure across the plant floor, including coverage for handheld scanners, IoT devices, and mobile equipment
• Maintain network documentation, topology diagrams, and configuration backups
• Lead network upgrade and expansion projects, including new equipment rollouts and facility changes
• Collaborate with automation/controls engineers on network requirements for PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial equipment
• Implement and maintain firewall rules, VLANs, and access controls to secure plant systems
• Provide Tier 3 escalation support for network-related incidents
• Partner with corporate IT and security teams on compliance, audits, and enterprise standards
• Participate in on-call rotation for after-hours network support as needed

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of network engineering experience, with at least 2+ years supporting a manufacturing, industrial, or plant environment
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco routing and switching (CCNP-level knowledge or equivalent)
• Experience with firewall management (Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, or similar)
• Solid understanding of IT/OT network segmentation and industrial network security best practices
• Experience supporting wireless infrastructure in a warehouse or plant-floor setting
• Working knowledge of VLANs, VPNs, QoS, and network monitoring tools
• Ability to work independently and respond to urgent issues affecting production
• Strong documentation and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SCADA, PLC, or industrial control system networking
• Cisco certifications (CCNA/CCNP) or equivalent
• Experience with network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, or similar)
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and their network requirements
• Experience with Meraki or other cloud-managed networking platforms