Network Operations Engineer

SwitchThink Solutions; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SwitchThink Solutions in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Network Operations Engineer II to maintain secure, highly available networks and datacenters. You will implement Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco IOS, SD‑WAN, and VPN connectivity while ensuring performance and security for clients.

The role requires 6+ years in network operations/engineering and 4+ years with Palo Alto Firewalls in regulated environments. Strong problem-solving and Cisco/PCNSA/CCNP/CCIE certifications are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 6+ years of Network Operations/Engineering or data center management.
• 4+ years managing Palo Alto Firewalls.
• 4+ years in regulated environments with SOX/PCI/SSAE/NCUA/FDIC governance.
• 1+ year in Server administration, Security administration, Cloud, and SDN.
• Deep understanding of routing and switching in highly available data centers.
• Expertise in Software-defined networking with VMware NSX.
• Expertise constructing security policies with Palo Alto Firewalls.
• Proven problem-solving using WireShark, vRealize Network Insight, Panorama.
• CCNA/CCNP/CCIE and Palo Alto PCNSA certifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain secure, highly available datacenters and distributed networks.
• Implement secure network solutions using Cisco IOS, Palo Alto Firewalls, load balancers, and SD‑WAN.
• Support client VPN implementations and connectivity.
• Analyze, isolate, and remediate network issues to ensure security and performance.
• Advance scalable networking strategies and SDN adoption with NSX.
• Support multi-carrier WAN connecting 50+ locations and external clients.
• Protect data, software, and hardware by enforcing security measures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Networking

Security

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Tools

Cisco IOS

Palo Alto Firewalls

VMware NSX

SD‑WAN

Wireshark

vRealize Network Insight

Panorama

Job description

The Network Operations Engineer II is responsible for maintaining and monitoring functional and secure computer networks, including local area and multi-tenant networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the internet, intranets, and other data communication systems. The role maintains standards, tests, and evaluates networks and security.

What you will do here:

• Maintain network and security solutions to keep highly available, standardized, and regulated datacenters and distributed networks.
• Implement highly secure network solutions leveraging tools such as VMware, Cisco IOS, PaloAlto Firewalls, Load Balancers, wireless access points, and SD‑WAN solutions.
• Support CUSO client VPN implementations and vendor/client connectivity.
• Analyze, isolate, and remediate issues while monitoring networks to ensure security, availability, and performance.
• Leverage advanced networking protocols to strategically drive scalable solutions within the networking environment.
• Support a multi-carrier WAN network connecting 50+ branch locations and a growing number of external clients.
• Implement and support CUSO client VPNs for vendors and client location connectivity.
• Protect data, software, and hardware by planning and implementing network security measures.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (preferred).
• Equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• 6+ years of Network Operations, Network Engineering, or Data Center Management experience required.
• 4+ years of experience managing Palo Alto Firewalls required.
• 4+ years of experience working in a regulated environment providing SOX, PCI, SSAE, NCUA, or FDIC governance required.
• 1+ year of experience in Server administration, Security administration, Cloud, and emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networks required.
• Deep understanding of routing and switching protocols in a highly available data center environment required.
• Deep knowledge of supporting infrastructure related disaster recovery scenarios.
• Expertise managing Software‑defined networking leveraging VMware NSX required.
• Expertise in constructing security policies using Palo Alto Firewalls required.
• Technical problem‑solving ability using tools including WireShark, vRealize Network Insight, and Panorama required.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team environment required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE required.
• Palo Alto PCNSA required.
• Cisco VoIP or other technical certifications preferred.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.