Network Engineer

Mercury Z; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercury Z is seeking an experienced Network Engineer based in Nashville, TN, to lead enterprise deployments. This challenging role requires Cisco certification and expertise in routing, switching, and troubleshooting complex networking issues.

The ideal candidate will ensure high-capacity circuits and seamless client communication, thriving in a fast-paced field environment. Responsibilities include collaborating with NOC and optimizing server room setups. The role involves daily travel among client sites.

Qualifications

• Strong background in routing and switching with Cisco expertise.
• Experience in enterprise deployment and configuration of network hardware.
• Capacity to troubleshoot complex L2/L3 network issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site enterprise network deployments and configuration.
• Collaborate with NOC and manage field-based network operations.
• Perform audits for optimizing physical server room setup.

Skills

Routing & Switching expertise

Cisco systems knowledge

BGP, OSPF proficiency

TCP/IP knowledge

Education

Cisco CCNA certification

CCNP or CCIE preferred

Juniper JNCIA or CompTIA Network+ with experience

Tools

VIAVI

NetAlly

Wireshark

OTDR

Fusion Splicer

Job description

Location: Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, Greensboro, NC or Charlotte, NC – Field Based

Position Level: Tier 2 / Tier 3 Network Engineering

Position Summary

We are looking for a Network Engineer with a strong background in routing and switching to lead our on‑site enterprise deployments. This is not a standard "cable tech" role; we need a Cisco‑certified professional who can bridge the gap between physical infrastructure and complex logical networking. You will be the technical authority on site, responsible for configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining high‑capacity circuits for our most critical business clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Advanced L2/L3 Troubleshooting: Resolve complex connectivity issues involving BGP, OSPF, VLAN tagging (802.1Q), and STP.
• Enterprise Deployment: Lead the installation and CLI‑based configuration of Cisco, Juniper, and Meraki hardware.
• Circuit Validation: Utilize high‑end diagnostic tools (VIAVI, NetAlly) to ensure Fiber and Ethernet circuits meet strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• NOC Collaboration: Act as the primary field liaison for our Network Operations Center, assisting in the turn‑up of static IP blocks and complex routing tables.
• MDF/IDF Management: Perform "deep‑in‑depth" audits of client server rooms to optimize equipment placement and extend demarcations.
• Infrastructure Reliability: While the focus is logical, you will ensure the physical layer (Fiber/Copper) is spliced and terminated to enterprise standards.

Technical Skills & Qualifications

Certifications (One or more required):

• Cisco: CCNA (Routing & Switching) required; CCNP or CCIE highly preferred.
• Alternative: Juniper JNCIA/JNCIS, or CompTIA Network+ (with significant field experience).

Core Competencies

• Hardware: Deep experience with Cisco ISR/ASR routers, Catalyst switches, Juniper MX/EX series, and Meraki MS/MX stacks.
• Protocols: Proficiency in TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and SD‑WAN architectures.
• Network Analysis: Experience with packet‑level analysis using Wireshark to identify latency or jitter issues.
• Physical Layer: Familiarity with Fiber Optic standards (GPON/Active Ethernet) and the ability to use an OTDR or Fusion Splicer when necessary.

Soft Skills & Requirements

• The Technical Consultant: Ability to walk into a Fortune 500 server room and speak as a peer to their Network Architects.
• Critical Thinking: A methodical approach to the "broken" circuit—isolating variables from the handoff to the core.
• Mobility: Must hold a valid driver’s license and be comfortable with daily travel to client locations.
• Physical Ability: Must be able to rack heavy enterprise equipment (up to 50 lbs) and work in professional data center environments.

What Success Looks Like

• First‑Visit Resolution: Utilizing your Cisco expertise to solve routing loops or configuration mismatches that a standard tech would miss.
• Network Integrity: Ensuring that every client handoff is clean, documented, and performing at 100% capacity.
• Client Confidence: Serving as a trusted advisor to client IT managers, ensuring they feel secure in our network’s reliability.