Junior Network Administrator

Steel Dynamics, Inc; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Aluminum Dynamics in Columbus, MS is seeking a Junior Network Administrator to support the network infrastructure across offices, data center, and manufacturing plant. This hands-on role is ideal for someone with solid networking fundamentals who’s looking to grow into a Network Administrator or Network Engineer position.

Responsibilities include monitoring network health, configuring switches and VLANs, maintaining documentation, coordinating with OT engineers and vendors, and supporting

Qualifications

• Foundational networking knowledge; ability to troubleshoot methodically and document issues.
• Experience or familiarity with TCP/IP, switches, routers, and basic security concepts.
• Willingness to work in an industrial environment with PPE and access restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor network health, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and review logs/alerts.
• Configure switch ports, VLANs, trunks, and basic Layer 2 settings under procedures.
• Assist with installing/labeling switches, APs, cabling; perform basic cable testing.
• Maintain network documentation including device inventory, IPs, VLANs, and diagrams.
• Coordinate with OT engineers, system admins, vendors, and end users during troubleshooting.
• Support maintenance, upgrades, and expansion projects such as manufacturing plant buildouts.
• Participate in on-call/after-hours rotation as experience grows.
• Work with Network Engineer to support daily operations and network expansion.

Skills

TCP/IP fundamentals

IPv4 addressing

Subnetting

Switches

Routers

Firewalls

DNS

DHCP

Wireless APs

VLANs

Ethernet switching

Troubleshooting tools

Windows command line

Linux command line

Documentation

Communication

Structured troubleshooting

Industrial/manufacturing environment

Driver’s license

High school diploma or equivalent

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Relevant IT certs or military/experience a plus

CompTIA Network+

Cisco CCNA

Tools

Managed switches

Fortinet equipment

Cisco equipment

Job description

Aluminum Dynamics

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.

• 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.

Requirements

• 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 elevate 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.