Senior Network Engineer

Contract to hire role

Mont Belvieu, TX

Onsite position

Must be Greencard or US Citizen

Client is seeking an experienced Network Operations Analyst to support and enhance its enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure. This role is ideal for a hands-on Cisco networking professional who enjoys working in production environments and traveling to field locations. While based in Mont Belvieu, TX, the position requires up to 20% domestic travel.

The Network Operations Analyst will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of a robust network infrastructure supporting critical operations. Success in this role requires strong technical expertise, the ability to work independently, and excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships with plant personnel and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and oversee network activities in assigned areas in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and procedures, with a strong emphasis on health, safety, and environmental considerations.
• Must have strong experience with Palo Alto, and Cisco products.
• Design, implement, configure, test, and troubleshoot LAN/WAN infrastructure at Tier 2 3 support levels.
• Travel to production facilities to install, upgrade, and maintain network systems using company-provided vehicles.
• Support and maintain network topologies utilizing OSPF, BGP, NAT/PAT, and VPN technologies.
• Lead and coordinate with telecom and technology vendors to complete projects on time and within budget.
• Participate in network expansion and upgrade initiatives, including hardware/software installation and integration testing.
• Respond to emergency network issues and provide on-call or escalation support as required.
• Serve as a liaison between business users and technical teams to ensure alignment with operational objectives.
• Lead assigned tasks independently and mentor junior members of the network team.
• Collaborate with management to prioritize business needs and technology initiatives.
• Represent the IT organization professionally in meetings, calls, and onsite engagements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in MIS, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7 10 years of experience supporting and maintaining LAN/WAN network infrastructure.
• Strong working knowledge of Cisco networking technologies and firewalls.
• Solid understanding of firewall architecture, policy design, and deployment.
• In-depth knowledge of routing and switching protocols and network security best practices.
• Familiarity with securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS) in accordance with NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 2.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current certifications such as CCNP and/or PCNSE.
• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls, including Panorama management.
• Experience with Aruba wireless infrastructure and ClearPass.
• Prior experience in the oil and gas industry.
• Familiarity with SolarWinds, ServiceNow, and formal change management processes.
• Self-motivated, customer-focused mindset with a strong "can-do" attitude.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.