Network Infrastructure Engineer

Network Infrastructure Engineer – SME

Location: Clinton, MS

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite

Contract Duration: Through March 31, 2027

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Openings: 3

Travel: Occasional in-state travel

Employment Type: Contract

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Infrastructure Engineer / Network SME to support and advance a large enterprise networking environment. This is a hands-on engineering position focused on data center networking, Cisco ACI, Software-Defined Access, identity-driven networking, network security, and network observability.

The ideal candidate will have extensive Cisco networking experience and a strong background designing, implementing, troubleshooting, and supporting mission-critical network infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Cisco ACI & Data Center Networking

• Design, implement, and maintain Cisco Nexus platforms running ACI.
• Work with VRFs, Bridge Domains, EPGs, ESGs, L3Out, contracts, and fabric policies.
• Integrate ACI with virtualization and container platforms, including OpenShift and Cilium/Isovalent.
• Troubleshoot ACI fabric health, endpoint learning, contracts, faults, and segmentation.
• Support high-performance networking and RoCEv2 environments.
• Create and maintain network architecture documentation, standards, and procedures.

Cisco Catalyst & SDA

• Deploy and support Cisco Catalyst platforms.
• Design and maintain Software-Defined Access (SDA) environments.
• Support SDA wired and wireless fabric architectures.
• Manage fabric underlay/overlay, policy mapping, authentication integrations, and assurance.
• Collaborate with wireless teams to optimize network performance and policy enforcement.

Identity-Driven Networking & Security

• Configure and administer Cisco ISE.
• Support TACACS+, authentication/authorization policy sets, and endpoint profiling.
• Integrate identity and security technologies to support network segmentation and Zero Trust initiatives.
• Work with Cyber Vision for OT/IoT visibility, profiling, and segmentation.

Network Visibility & Observability

• Support ThousandEyes for end-to-end network visibility and performance monitoring.
• Utilize Cisco Cyber Vision for OT/IoT asset visibility and behavior analysis.
• Support DNA Spaces for location analytics, telemetry, and wireless intelligence.
• Analyze network data and provide meaningful technical insights to leadership.

Core Network Engineering

• Troubleshoot complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 network issues.
• Work with VLANs, OSPF, BGP, STP, multicast, TCP/IP, routing, switching, and QoS.
• Design and implement Palo Alto Networks security solutions.
• Develop architecture diagrams, runbooks, standards, and asset documentation.
• Support network modernization, upgrades, procurement, and enterprise technology initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of Cisco networking experience.
• Hands-on Cisco ACI production experience.
• Strong knowledge of VRF, BD, EPG, ESG, L3Out, and contracts.
• Experience integrating ACI with OpenShift and Cilium/Isovalent.
• Strong experience with Cisco Catalyst and SDA technologies.
• Hands-on Cisco ISE administration, including TACACS+ and NAC policy sets.
• Knowledge of ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, DNA Spaces, or comparable network observability technologies.
• Strong L2/L3 networking knowledge, including OSPF, BGP, STP, VLANs, multicast, routing, switching, and QoS.
• Palo Alto Networks experience.
• Strong network troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Ability to create clear network diagrams, documentation, and architectural artifacts.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in mission-critical environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• CCNP Data Center, CCNP Enterprise, CCIE, or equivalent experience.
• Container networking and virtualization integration experience.
• Network automation experience with Python, Ansible, and REST APIs.
• Familiarity with NIST frameworks and cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience working in state government or large enterprise environments.
• PCCSA or PCNSA certification.

Important Work Requirements

• 100% onsite in Clinton, Mississippi
• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Occasional in-state travel
• Candidates must be able to work onsite; remote candidates will not be considered.

Interested candidates: Please send your updated resume along with your current location, work authorization, availability, and pay rate expectation.