Network Engineer

Patriot Talent Solutions; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Patriot Talent Solutions seeks a Network Engineer in Knoxville, TN for a direct-hire, hybrid role with three onsite days weekly. You will troubleshoot and own network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs, and related services.

MSP-style environment with cross‑team collaboration and documentation duties will be central to the role. The ideal candidate has hands‑on networking experience, knowledge of core protocols, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience supporting enterprise networks.
• Strong knowledge of routing, switching, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, firewalls.
• Experience configuring network hardware/software in production.
• Exposure to multiple enterprise platforms; vendor expertise not required.
• Ability to troubleshoot beyond basic monitoring and escalation.
• MSP or varied technical environment experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Configure, support, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot connectivity, performance, routing, and security issues.
• Support core networking services and protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing).
• Take ownership of issues and know when to escalate.
• Assist with deployments, upgrades, migrations, and improvements.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and guides.
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure reliable operations.
• Participate in projects and deliver assigned technical outcomes.
• Evaluate issues and propose practical improvements.
• Coordinate with vendors and third‑party support as needed.
• Communicate technical status to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Skills

Hands-on troubleshooting

Routing & switching

TCP/IP

DNS

DHCP

VLANs/VPNs

Firewall/security

LAN/WAN

Documentation

Communication

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CCNA

MSP experience beneficial

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

CCNA or comparable certification

Tools

Cisco

Fortinet/FortiGate

Meraki

Palo Alto

Aruba

Juniper

Job description

Knoxville, TN | Network Engineer | Full-time

We are actively recruiting a Network Engineer for our client in Knoxville, TN. This is a direct-hire opportunity that will require a hybrid schedule with three days onsite per week in Knoxville. This is an excellent opportunity for a well-rounded networking professional who enjoys hands‑on troubleshooting, wants greater ownership of infrastructure, and is ready to continue growing technically. Must have a solid foundation across core networking technologies and the ability to independently work through network issues.

Due to client request, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities

• Configure, support, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs, VLANs, and LAN/WAN environments.
• Troubleshoot network connectivity, performance, routing, and security issues using a methodical, hands‑on approach.
• Support core networking services and protocols including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and routing and switching.
• Take ownership of technical issues, working through problems independently while knowing when additional resources or escalation are appropriate.
• Assist with network deployments, upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain clear technical documentation, procedures, and support guides.
• Partner with other infrastructure and IT team members to maintain reliable technology operations.
• Participate in infrastructure projects and take responsibility for assigned technical deliverables.
• Evaluate issues and recommend practical solutions or improvements.
• Coordinate with technology vendors and third‑party support partners as needed.
• Clearly communicate technical issues, recommendations, and project status to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience supporting and troubleshooting enterprise network environments.
• Working knowledge of routing and switching, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, LAN/WAN, and network security.
• Experience configuring and maintaining network hardware and software in a production environment.
• Exposure to enterprise networking platforms such as Cisco, Fortinet/FortiGate, Meraki, Palo Alto, Aruba, Juniper, or comparable technologies is valuable, but expertise with a specific vendor is not required.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot issues beyond basic monitoring and escalation.
• Experience implementing, configuring, deploying, upgrading, migrating, or remediating network technologies is preferred.
• Strong communication, documentation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional IT experience.
• CCNA or comparable networking knowledge/certification is a plus.
• Experience within an MSP or similarly varied technical environment may be beneficial.

Ideal Background

This opportunity is particularly well suited for someone who has built a strong networking foundation and is ready to take on more ownership and responsibility. Candidates do not need to check every technology box. The strongest fit will be someone who can troubleshoot effectively, take initiative, make thoughtful recommendations, and help move infrastructure work forward.

Experience under titles such as Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Network Analyst, Network Systems Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Systems/Network Administrator, or Network Support Engineer may translate well.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled