Network Engineer

Akaasa Technologies; Hamden (CT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Akaasa Technologies seeks a hands-on Network Engineering Consultant to support network remediation and build out infrastructure for a major core conversion to Jack Henry. This role collaborates with IT and project stakeholders to ensure a stable, secure, well-documented network environment capable of supporting the new core platform.

The candidate will design, configure, and implement network changes in a hybrid office setting (CT) with on-site work three days per week, ensuring proper rack,

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of hands-on network engineering experience.
• Basic networking certification (e.g., CCNA, Network+).
• Strong routing and switching experience.
• Experience configuring firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco).
• Hands-on physical infrastructure work (rack/stack, cabling).
• On-site availability 3 days/week in CT (New Canaan or Hamden).
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build, configure, and validate network environment supporting Jack Henry core conversion.
• Execute remediation work to fix routing, switching, and firewall issues.
• Configure routers/switches, VLANs, trunking, and OSPF/BGP.
• Manage firewall rules, segmentation, and secure connectivity between locations.
• Perform rack-and-stack installation, cabling, and patching in data centers and offices.
• Troubleshoot connectivity/performance and support cutover activities.
• Create and maintain network documentation and diagrams.

Job description

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE GOOD TENURE AND/OR LONG PROJECTS. CANDIDATES WITH RECENT LOCAL PROJECTS HIGHLY PREFERRED. NO RELOCATION CANDIDATES MUST HAVE ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE

Required Candidate Location: Hybrid/New Caanan or Hamden CT 3 Days a Week

We are seeking a hands-on Network Engineering Consultant to support network remediation efforts and build out the dedicated network infrastructure for the bank's upcoming core conversion to Jack Henry. This consultant will work closely with the bank's IT team and conversion stakeholders to ensure the network environment is stable, secure, well-documented, and ready to support the new core platform. The role combines design and configuration work with physical, in-the-rack execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build, configure, and validate the dedicated network environment supporting the Jack Henry core conversion, in coordination with internal IT and the conversion team.
• Execute network remediation work, identifying and resolving configuration gaps, legacy issues, and inconsistencies across routing, switching, and firewall infrastructure.
• Configure and support routers and switches, including VLANs, trunking, and routing (static and dynamic protocols such as OSPF/BGP).
• Implement and manage firewall rules, policies, and network segmentation to support secure connectivity between bank locations, data center, and vendor environments.
• Perform rack-and-stack installation of network hardware, along with cabling, patching, and labeling in data center and office network closets.
• Troubleshoot connectivity and performance issues and support cutover activities, which may include occasional off-hours work.
• Create and maintain network documentation, including diagrams, IP schemas, patching records, and change documentation.
• Adhere to the bank's change management, information security, and compliance standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 7 years of hands-on network engineering experience.
• Basic networking certification (e.g., CCNA, CompTIA Network+, or equivalent).
• Strong working experience with routing and switching.
• Experience configuring and managing firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA/FTD, or similar).
• Hands-on physical infrastructure experience, including rack and stack, cabling, and patching.
• Proven experience with network remediation and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work onsite 3 days per week at either the New Canaan or Hamden, CT office.
• Strong documentation habits and clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a banking or financial services environment.
• Prior involvement in a core banking conversion, ideally Jack Henry.
• Familiarity with security and regulatory expectations for financial institutions.
• Exposure to VPN, SD-WAN, and wireless technologies.
• Advanced or vendor-specific certifications (e.g., CCNP, PCNSA/PCNSE, NSE).