Associate Principal, Network Engineering

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Technology Stipend

Generous PTO and Parental leave

401k Employer Match

Health benefits

Job summary

The OCC is seeking a Network Engineer to support, administer, and design network architectures for on-premise and cloud environments. You will manage routing, switching, Cisco FTD firewalls, and Cisco ACI, while coordinating projects with clients and vendors.

You will also implement security governance (NIST-CSF, COBIT), maintain documentation, and provide on-call support to ensure reliability and business continuity across hybrid environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the network infrastructure lifecycle including routing, switching, and security appliances.
• Deploy and troubleshoot Cisco IOS/NX-OS/FTD platforms and cloud connectivity (AWS/Azure).
• Coordinate complex installation projects with clients and vendors; ensure security and governance compliance.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Problem solving

Independence

Team player

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

Tools

Cisco IOS

NX-OS

XR

FTD (Firepower)

Cisco ACI

AWS

Azure

Python

Ansible

Job description

What You'll Do:

This role is responsible for supporting, administering, and overseeing network support, design, and analysis of new and existing architectures — including routing/switching configuration, Cisco FTD firewall administration, Cisco ACI management, and network-related business continuity planning. The role also involves developing systems specifications, technical implementation plans, and coordinating complex installation projects with clients and vendors, while working with a team on network and security architecture design for both on-premise and Cloud environments.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

Support the network infrastructure lifecycle, including routing, switching, Cisco FTD firewalls, Cisco ACI, and cloud-based (AWS) solutions — covering deployment, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance. Assist in implementing network changes to maintain security, performance, and compliance with governance frameworks (NIST-CSF, COBIT). Partner with vendors, carriers, and engineering teams to resolve issues and support large-scale projects. Maintain documentation and provide on-call support to help ensure reliability and business continuity.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Qualifications:

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

• [Required] Excellent presentation skills including planning, material preparation and public speaking


• [Required] Demonstrated capability to tailor communications to the technical level of the audience


• [Required] Clear, concise and precise written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with people of various backgrounds


• [Required] Strong interpersonal, leadership, project management and mentoring skills


• [Required] Strong ability to use solution-oriented approach towards problem resolution


• [Required] Ability to work independently and be a team player

Technical Skills:

• [Required] Strong foundation in Network protocols (BGP, OSPF, ISIS) and concepts (WAN/LAN/IP/VPN/IPAM/DNS), with the ability to apply this knowledge to expand and support existing network infrastructure


• [Required] Advanced experience with Cisco network products, including lifecycle management (deployment, upgrades, and ongoing support) of IOS, NX-OS, XR, and FTD platforms


• [Required] Strong network troubleshooting skills to support day-to-day operations, including packet capture, analysis, and review.


• [Required] Experience supporting cloud connectivity (AWS, Azure) within a hybrid infrastructure environment


• [Preferred] Scripting experience (Python, Ansible, Github or industry equivalent) to support automation and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Education and/or Experience:

• [Required] Bachelor's degree, preferably in technical discipline (Computer Science, Mathematics, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience.


• [Required] 5+ years of experience in IT systems installation, operations, administration, and maintenance of virtualized servers / cloud systems

Certificates or Licenses:

• [Preferred] Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP/CCDP) equivalent field experience


• [Preferred] Relevant industry certifications such as AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google


• Cloud


• [Preferred] AWS certifications such as DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Advanced Networking, or Security or equivalent field experience

About Us

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Benefits

A highly collaborative and supportive environment developed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness. Some of these components include:

• A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work


• Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education


• Student Loan Repayment Assistance


• Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely


• Generous PTO and Parental leave


• 401k Employer Match


• Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision

Compensation

• The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.


• In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.


• We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers


• All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range

$108,600.00 - $154,500.00

Incentive Range

8% to 15%

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer