Field Network Engineer

Vinebrook Technology; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinebrook Technology is seeking a hands-on Field Network Engineer to lead a multi-site network refresh across 50+ sites in the Metro Boston area. You will survey sites, inventory gear, and build detailed installation packets for the crew, ensuring a smooth cutover and thorough handoff with documentation.

You will collaborate with the client’s network design team live, validate designs, and prepare for ongoing support as the refresh concludes.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on network work, with real field time on refreshes, cutovers, or multi-site rollouts.
• Comfortable in Cisco Meraki: switches, access points, VLANs, PoE, and 802.1X
• Know fiber and copper well enough to tell an install crew exactly what to do, and to spot when something's off
• Can run a cutover start to finish: plan it, configure it, test it, and roll it back if needed
• Document as you go: port maps, rack photos, and diagrams, so the next person doesn't have to guess
• Follow things through to done and keep people posted without being chased
• Explain technical needs in plain terms to install crews and staff
• Must reside in Massachusetts and be able to commute on-site to Boston and Somerville regularly
• Valid US-issued driver's license and ability to drive to sites throughout the Metro Boston area

Responsibilities

• Responsible for network infrastructure refresh activities at a variety of locations in the Metro Boston area.
• Before Each Install: Site surveys, inventory gear, map ports, check power, photograph equipment.
• Inventory: sync site trackers and CMDBs across Cisco Meraki and ServiceNow CMDB.
• Design check: verify site designs against real conditions and flag gaps before gear is ordered.
• Readiness: ensure gear is ordered and ready, crew access and downtime window aligned.
• Staging: pre-configure equipment and build complete kits for each site.
• Install direction: create step-by-step install packets for site crews.
• Install Day and Cutover: configure and troubleshoot switches/APs with remote design team; complete cutovers.
• Closeout: hand off site with documentation, update trackers and CMDB.
• Ongoing: follow-through on site work, retire legacy gear, open change records, standardize cabling and labeling, own post-refresh work

Skills

Field network experience

Cisco Meraki experience

Network design and planning

Documentation and diagramming

Clear communication with crews

Valid US driver's license

Tools

Cisco Meraki

ServiceNow

Job description

Vinebrook Technology provides IT solutions and support to organizations across many industries. We are hiring a hands-on Field Network Engineer, employed by Vinebrook, to work on-site with one of our clients in the Metro Boston area.

About the Role:

You'll be the hands-on Network Engineer in the field for a refresh of the switching, Wi-Fi, and fiber across 50+ sites. You'll get each site ready, give the install crew a clear plan, run the cutover, and hand the site off fully documented.

You'll be the eyes and hands for the client's network design team, working live with them by video and photos so they can stay focused on design. As the refresh wraps up, there is potential to stay on as the go-to person for network work at the sites.

What You'll Do:

Responsible for network infrastructure refresh activities at a variety of locations in the Metro Boston area.

Before Each Install:

• Site surveys: Visit each site before work starts. Inventory all network gear (model, serial, firmware), map every switch port and what's connected to it, check closet power, space, and cooling, and photograph everything.
• Inventory: Keep site inventory accurate and in sync across the site tracker, Cisco Meraki, Cato Networks, and the ServiceNow CMDB.
• Design check: Work with the network architect to check each site design against real conditions (port counts, PoE budget, optics, rack space) and flag gaps before gear is ordered.
• Readiness: Confirm gear is ordered and received, and that the installation crew, site access, and the downtime window are lined up before each site goes.
• Staging: Receive, tag, and pre-configure equipment in the lab (firmware, config templates, labels, power-on test) and build a complete kit for each site.
• Install direction: Build an easy-to-follow, step-by-step install packet for each site: exactly what goes where, which port, which power outlet, plus the patch list and labels. Walk it through with the installation crew lead before install day. The crew performs all physical installation and cabling.

Install Day and Cutover:

• Cutovers: Be on site for installs and cutovers. Configure and troubleshoot switches and access points, working live with the remote design team, and get the site back up inside the agreed window.
• Validation: Review cable and fiber test results, labeling, and cable management with the installation crew before sign-off, and log any issues in ServiceNow.
• Testing: Run a standard test checklist after every cutover (uplinks, internet/SD-WAN, DHCP/DNS, phones, cameras, payment devices, Wi-Fi coverage, PoE devices) and compare before-and-after device lists so nothing is missed.

Closeout:

• Site handoff: Close out every site with a complete package (final port map, rack photos, updated diagram) and update the tracker, CMDB, and Meraki.
• Decommissioning: Retire replaced gear: wipe configs, remove it from inventory and licensing, and arrange return or disposal.
• Support handoff: Hand finished sites to day-to-day support with site notes, and provide L2/L3 network support at sites when needed.

Ongoing:

• Follow-through: Track related site work through to done so nothing stalls.
• Legacy cleanup: Help move connections off old switch stacks onto new switches and VLANs, coordinating across communications, OT, and IT teams, and help retire legacy T1/DS3 circuits.
• Changes and status: Open change records for cutovers and report weekly on sites completed, sites coming up, issues, and risks.
• Standards: Help build and maintain cabling, labeling, and network closet (IDF/MDF) standards and the standard test checklist.
• After the refresh: Own network work for new sites, moves/adds/changes, and on-site escalations.

What You Bring:

• 4+ years of hands-on network work, with real field time on refreshes, cutovers, or multi-site rollouts
• Comfortable in Cisco Meraki: switches, access points, VLANs, PoE, and 802.1X
• Know fiber and copper well enough to tell an install crew exactly what to do, and to spot when something's off
• Can run a cutover start to finish: plan it, configure it, test it, and roll it back if needed
• Document as you go: port maps, rack photos, and diagrams, so the next person doesn't have to guess
• Follow things through to done and keep people posted without being chased
• Explain technical needs in plain terms to install crews and staff
• Must reside in Massachusetts and be able to commute on-site to Boston and Somerville regularly
• Valid US-issued driver's license and ability to drive to sites throughout the Metro Boston area

Nice to Have:

• SD-WAN experience, especially Cato Networks
• Wi-Fi survey tools, such as Ekahau
• ServiceNow and basic change and incident process
• Cisco CCNA or Meraki CMNA certification
• Python or the Meraki API for automating repetitive tasks
• Field-heavy operations experience, or work alongside union trades

Who You'll Work With:

• The client's network architect and design lead, who own the design and back you up remotely
• The managed service provider's network team, for configuration and day-to-day support
• The client's communications team, who do all physical installs and cabling, plus OT and IT teams as needed

Working Conditions:

• Field-based, with daily field network sites and regular on-site work in Boston and Somerville, MA **This is not a remote position**
• Work in network closets, equipment rooms, and some outdoor locations
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, and stand for long periods
• Fast pace: the target is 4 to 5 site refreshes per week
• Some nights and weekends to fit cutovers around business operations
• Must complete required safety training and follow all site safety rules