Junior Network Administrator

UNAVAILABLE; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aluminum Dynamics in Columbus, MS is seeking a Junior Network Administrator to support our office, data center, and manufacturing plant network infrastructure. This hands-on role develops into Network Administrator or Network Engineer as you grow.

You’ll monitor health, troubleshoot, configure switches, VLANs, and assist with labeling equipment and cabling, while maintaining documentation and working with OT engineers and end users.

Qualifications

• Foundational TCP/IP and subnetting knowledge required.
• Familiarity with switches, routers, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, wireless APs.
• Basic Windows and Linux command-line experience preferred.
• Strong documentation and communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Monitor network health and troubleshoot connectivity, latency, and port issues.
• Configure switch ports, VLANs, trunks, and basic Layer 2 settings.
• Assist with installing and labeling switches, APs, optics, and cabling; test cables.
• Maintain network documentation: device inventory, IPs, VLANs, diagrams.
• Coordinate with OT engineers, system admins, vendors and end users during troubleshooting.
• Support maintenance, upgrades, and expansion projects including new plant buildout.
• Participate in on-call/after-hours rotation as experience grows.
• Work with Network Engineer to support daily operations and network expansion.

Skills

TCP/IP basics

IPv4 addressing/subnetting

Network troubleshooting

Switches/routers/firewalls

DNS/DHCP/WAPs

Windows/Linux CLI

Documentation

Structured troubleshooting

Industrial environment awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certs beneficial (e.g., CompTIA Network+/CCNA)

Tools

Fortinet equipment

Cisco equipment

Managed switches

Job description

Subsidiary

Aluminum Dynamics

Overview

We’re looking for a Junior Network Administrator to help support the network infrastructure across our offices, data center, and manufacturing plant. This is a hands‑on role, ideal for someone with solid networking fundamentals who’s looking to grow into a Network Administrator or Network Engineer position.

Responsibilities

• Monitor network health, troubleshoot connectivity/latency/port issues, and review logs and alerts
• Configure switch ports, VLANs, trunks, and basic Layer 2 settings under change procedures
• Assist with installing and labeling switches, wireless access points, optics, and cabling; perform basic cable testing and physical-layer troubleshooting
• Maintain network documentation, including device inventory, assigned IP addresses, VLANs, switch-port records, uplinks, and diagrams.
• Coordinate with OT engineers, system admins, vendors, and end users during troubleshooting
• Support scheduled maintenance, upgrades, and expansion projects - including our new recycling plant buildout
• Participate in an on-call/after-hours rotation as experience grows
• Work directly with the Network Engineer to support daily operations, troubleshoot incidents, maintain documentation, and assist with network expansion projects.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of TCP/IP, IPv4 addressing, and subnetting
• Understanding of switches, routers, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, and wireless APs
• Basic knowledge of VLANs, access/trunk ports, and Ethernet switching
• Comfort with basic troubleshooting tools (ping, traceroute, ARP, ipconfig/ifconfig, DNS lookups)
• Basic Windows and Linux command-line familiarity
• Strong documentation habits, clear communication skills, and the ability to read technical documentation and follow established procedures
• Ability to troubleshoot in a structured, methodical way - gathering evidence rather than making random changes - and to escalate before making risky production changes
• Comfort working in an active industrial/manufacturing environment is correct, but your environment involves distance, heat, noise, PPE, lifts, network closets, and walking through active production areas.
• Valid driver's license
• High school diploma or equivalent; relevant certs, military, or IT experience a plus

Preferred

• 1-3 years in network support, NOC, infrastructure support, field technology, or a help-desk role involving network troubleshooting.
• CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or similar certification
• Experience with managed switches, VLANs/trunking, or Fortinet/Cisco equipment
• Familiarity with fiber optics, SFP modules, or wireless troubleshooting
• Exposure to industrial/OT/manufacturing environments

Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.