Network Engineer

Ports North; Genoa Township (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry seeks a Network Engineer to modernize plant IT/OT networks across multiple facilities, delivering secure, high-performance, segmented networks in live production settings.

The role is hands-on, partnering with process engineering and security teams, and requires travel up to 25% across the United States and Mexico to support assessments, implementations, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of network engineering experience.
• Significant experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, energy, or heavy manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with IT/OT network design and segmentation.
• Experience with VLAN design and implementation, routing and switching, industrial networking, network security architecture, firewall administration, wireless networking.

Responsibilities

• Assess IT/OT network environments across multiple facilities.
• Design and implement network segmentation to improve security and resilience.
• Modernize plant-level infrastructure including routing, switching, wireless, and firewall environments.
• Collaborate with process engineering and security teams to support plant-floor systems.
• Develop and deploy future-state network architectures aligned with standards.
• Configure and support Cisco network infrastructure and Palo Alto Firewall solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex network issues affecting production systems.
• Establish network standards and governance across facilities.
• Perform network assessments, documentation, and remediation planning.
• Support network monitoring and performance optimization.

Skills

VLAN design

Routing & switching

Industrial networking

Network security architecture

Firewall administration

Wireless networking

Palo Alto Firewalls

Cisco networking

SolarWinds

Tools

Cisco switches

Cisco routers

Cisco wireless infrastructure

Cisco access points

Palo Alto Firewalls

SolarWinds

AWS Direct Connect

Cisco AI & automation

Job description

Network Engineer - Manufacturing & OT Network Modernization

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer with deep experience supporting manufacturing and industrial environments to help modernize and standardize network operations across multiple production facilities. This role will focus on transforming and securing plant-level IT/OT (Information Technology / Operational Technology) networks, improving network segmentation, resiliency, performance, and cybersecurity while supporting ongoing manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience designing and implementing network infrastructure within manufacturing plants, heavy industrial operations, energy environments, or similar operational settings. This is not a purely architectural role. The selected consultant will be actively involved in planning, configuring, deploying, and optimizing network solutions within live plant environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess current-state IT/OT network environments across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Design and implement network segmentation strategies to improve security and operational resilience.
• Modernize plant-level network infrastructure, including routing, switching, wireless, and firewall environments.
• Work closely with process engineering, manufacturing operations, infrastructure, and security teams to support plant-floor systems.
• Develop and deploy future-state network architectures that align with operational and cybersecurity standards.
• Configure and support Cisco network infrastructure including switches, routers, wireless access points, and related technologies.
• Implement and support Palo Alto firewall solutions within industrial environments.
• Troubleshoot complex network issues affecting manufacturing operations and critical production systems.
• Establish network standards, governance, and best practices across multiple facilities.
• Perform network assessments, documentation, and remediation planning.
• Support network monitoring and performance optimization initiatives.
• Participate in change management, implementation planning, and cutover activities.
• Travel periodically to manufacturing facilities for assessments, implementations, and stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of network engineering experience.
• Significant experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, energy, or heavy manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with IT/OT network design and segmentation.
• Strong knowledge of:

• VLAN design and implementation
• Routing and switching
• Industrial networking
• Network security architecture
• Firewall administration
• Wireless networking

• Experience working directly with plant floor systems and process engineering teams.

• Advanced knowledge of the Cisco networking ecosystem, including:

• Cisco switches
• Cisco routers
• Cisco wireless infrastructure
• Cisco access points

• Strong experience with Palo Alto Firewalls.
• Proven ability to execute network modernization initiatives within operational manufacturing facilities.
• Ability to work independently and bring structure and standards to complex environments.
• Excellent troubleshooting and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolarWinds monitoring and network management tools.
• Experience supporting AWS Direct Connect environments.
• Exposure to Cisco AI and automation capabilities.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing organizations.
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity frameworks and OT security best practices.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 25% travel.
• Travel may include manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States and Mexico.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com