Job Description
Seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Deployment Engineer with 8+ years of progressive experience to lead complex, large-scale campus network deployment projects from inception to completion. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader responsible for the design, build-out, and continuous maintenance of high-performance enterprise campus networks (wired and wireless). A key focus of this role is leveraging network automation tools and scripting (Ansible, Python) for efficient, repeatable deployments, coupled with strong project management skills for leading and executing end-to-end site builds globally.
Responsibilities
- Lead the comprehensive design, architecture, implementation, and optimization of complex wired and wireless campus network infrastructures.
- Manage and execute end-to-end site deployments, overseeing all phases from requirements gathering and architecture design through configuration, testing, cutover, and final operational handover.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal IT teams, security, data center teams, facilities, and external vendors to ensure seamless project delivery.
- Create, maintain, and enforce robust network documentation (diagrams, standards, templates) and best practices.
- Drive network automation initiatives by developing and utilizing scripts and tools (e.g., Python, Ansible, Netmiko) for configuration management, deployment, and operational tasks.
- Provide advanced, third-level troubleshooting and act as an escalation point for complex network issues across all technologies.
- Proactively manage project timelines and resources, ensuring on-time and on-budget completion and providing regular status updates.
Skills/Expertise Core Networking
- Hands-on experience or familiarity with Arista, Cisco, Mist, Cumulus Linux
- Strong expertise in BGP, EVPN, VXLAN for campus deployments
- Campus segmentation (EVPN VXLAN)
- IPSEC VPNs, and SD-WAN solutions
- Knowledge of multi-tenancy architectures and segmentation
- Advanced troubleshooting skills using packet capture (Wireshark)
Security
- Hands-on experience with Palo Alto firewalls
- Expertise in enterprise firewall configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
- Proficient in load balancer technologies, including F5 and Citrix load balancers.
Network Access Control
- Hands-on experience in NAC solutions
- Authentication protocols (802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+, EAP, COA)
Wireless Networking
- Familiarity with RF planning, site surveys, and Wi-Fi deployment/troubleshooting.
- Experience with platforms such as Cisco, Mist, and Aruba
Network Automation & Scripting
- Medium-level proficiency in network automation (Ansible, Salt) and scripting (Python) for configuration, deployment, and auditing.
Soft Skills
- Demonstrated strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills; proven ability to lead and manage multiple end-to-end site builds/deployments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts.
Top Skills Details
- Network Engineering
- Communication
- Ownership/Ability to Drive Work Across Teams
Feedback from Prior Interviews
Candidate One: '…limited grasp of routing protocols and how routing actually works, and unfamiliarity with 802.1Q trunking. He had difficulty applying concepts outside of his direct prior use cases. His exposure to Arista, NVIDIA/Mellanox, Palo Alto, VXLAN, and Layer 2 stretch is limited to none.'
Candidate Two: 'Palo Alto firewalls and BGP. On the logical side, though, he tested at an entry level — he struggled with basic theory (e.g., how an L2 loop leads to a broadcast storm, VRF segmentation of corp vs. guest). He’s unfamiliar with VXLAN and L2 stretch, and uses AI assistance rather than writing Python directly. We don’t see him being self-sufficient on configuration or troubleshooting at the level this role requires.'