NETWORK ENGINEER

TALENT Software Services; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TALENT Software Services is looking for a Telecom/Network Infrastructure professional to design, configure, manage, troubleshoot, support, and implement enterprise telecom networks in Rochester, MN. The role includes coordinating internal and external staff, planning projects, and communicating status to stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Cisco switches and routers, knowledge of the OSI model, and strong customer-focused communication skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the OSI model (Layers 1–3) and basic telecom/network management tools.
• Ability to work with minimal direction and in a team environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with customers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Participate in decisions on technical direction, architecture design, and product selection for the enterprise telecom/data network under general supervision.
• Assist with the deployment of telecom/network technology.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex technical issues under general direction.
• Provide input to short and long-term section strategy and budget planning.
• Plan and lead small projects, coordinating efforts of internal and external staff with customer and business needs.
• Occasionally oversee projects and tasks assigned to project team members and provide input to their evaluations.
• Work under stressful conditions, participating in implementations and troubleshooting efforts with significant impact.
• Represent Telecommunications and Networks to committees as needed.

Skills

OSI model 1-3

telecom/network management tools

team collaboration

customer-focused communication

time management

analytical skills

Cisco switching

Cisco routing

Tools

Cisco Catalyst switches (C9000)

Cisco routers (C8000)

Job description

• Design, configure, manage, troubleshoot, support, and implement the Telecom/Network Infrastructure.
• Perform limited project management and coordinate efforts by various support staff.
• Communicate project status to project proponents.

Job Summary

• Design, configure, manage, troubleshoot, support, and implement the Telecom/Network Infrastructure.
• Perform limited project management and coordinate efforts by various support staff.
• Communicate project status to project proponents.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in decisions on technical direction, architecture design, and product selection for the enterprise telecom/data network under general supervision.
• Assist with the deployment of telecom/network technology.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex technical issues under general direction.
• Provide input to short and long-term section strategy and budget planning.
• Plan and lead small projects, coordinating efforts of internal and external staff with customer and business needs.
• Occasionally oversee projects and tasks assigned to project team members and provide input to their evaluations.
• Work under stressful conditions, participating in implementations and troubleshooting efforts with significant impact.
• Represent Telecommunications and Networks to committees as needed.

Required Skills & Experience

• Expert knowledge of telecom/network concepts and the 7-layer OSI model.
• Knowledge of basic telecom/network management and monitoring tools.
• Basic understanding of desktop and server operating systems is desirable.
• Ability to work with minimum direction and effectively in a team environment.
• Customer-focused with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills to handle workload and track various projects simultaneously.
• Solid analytical skills.

Scope

• Design, configure, and maintain enterprise switching and routing infrastructure.
• Operate independently on well-defined initiatives while collaborating within a broader engineering team.

Core Technical Requirements

• Self-directed individual who executes standard installs and configurations without hand-holding.
• Communicates proactively, documents thoroughly, and integrates well in a team-based engineering environment.

Networking Fundamentals

• Strong working knowledge of the OSI model, specifically Layers 1–3 (Physical, Data Link, Network).
• Ability to troubleshoot and reason about network issues at the appropriate OSI layer.

Hardware & Platform Experience

• Hands-on experience configuring and installing Cisco switches — Catalyst C9000 series.
• Hands-on experience configuring and installing Cisco routers — Catalyst C8000 series.
• Experience deploying equipment at both the access layer and distribution layer.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

• MEC (Multi-Chassis EtherChannel) configuration experience.
• SD-WAN deployment or administration experience.