Job Title: Contract-to-Hire Network Engineer Manager
Location: Austin, TX (4 days/week onsite)
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
Overview:
Our client is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Network Engineer Manager with strong expertise in network engineering, infrastructure, and operations. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity for a professional who can manage both network and infrastructure teams, while maintaining deep technical proficiency in networking and infrastructure management. The ideal candidate will have experience working with Cisco networking equipment, BGP, WAN configurations, Palo Alto firewalls, and be able to manage moves, adds, changes, help desk, and network operations.
Responsibilities:
- Network Engineering & Management: Oversee the network infrastructure, including WAN, LAN, and security protocols. Manage and optimize Cisco network devices, BGP configurations, and Palo Alto firewalls to ensure robust, secure, and efficient operations.
- Hands-On Technical Leadership: Actively contribute to network-related projects, troubleshooting, and configuration tasks while leading the team through more complex technical issues.
- Team Management: Supervise and mentor a team of network engineers and IT infrastructure specialists. Provide guidance, foster development, and manage day-to-day operations of the networking team.
- Moves, Adds, Changes (MACs): Oversee the MAC processes for network equipment, ensuring that changes are implemented smoothly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to business operations.
- Help Desk & Network Operations Support: Manage and resolve escalated issues from the help desk and network operations teams. Ensure continuous support for network infrastructure, security, and related services.
- Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, security, and business operations, to ensure alignment with business needs and goals.
- Incident Management: Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, including outages, disruptions, and performance problems in a timely manner.
- Compliance & Security: Ensure that all network operations and infrastructure adhere to security best practices, compliance standards, and organizational policies.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in network engineering, infrastructure management, and IT operations.
- Strong experience with Cisco networking hardware and protocols, including routing, switching, and BGP.
- Hands-on experience with Palo Alto firewalls and WAN technologies.
- Familiarity with network security best practices and VPNs.
- Previous experience managing or leading technical teams in a network or infrastructure environment.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
- Experience with ITIL processes and managing service requests, incidents, and changes.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders.
- Ability to work onsite 4 days a week in Austin, TX.
- A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Industry certifications such as Cisco CCNA/CCNP, Palo Alto, or similar are a plus.