Network Staging Lab Engineer

Mondo; Dallas (TX); Remote; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Mondo in the Dallas–Fort Worth area is seeking an experienced Network Staging Lab Engineer to remotely configure, test, validate, and prepare network equipment for deployment into production data center environments. The ideal candidate brings CCNP-level networking expertise, hands-on routing and switching experience, and a solid understanding of physical data center infrastructure.

This is a primarily remote engineering role with occasional hands-on lab or data center travel.

Qualifications

• CCNP-level networking knowledge or equivalent demonstrated hands-on expertise.
• Strong understanding of Layer 1 connectivity and physical network infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience in data center environments.
• Experience configuring, troubleshooting, and validating enterprise routers and switches.
• Experience with TCP/IP, VLANs, Ethernet switching, and routing fundamentals.
• Experience with routing protocols such as OSPF and BGP.
• Ability to troubleshoot network connectivity, configuration, and hardware issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Remotely access network devices to configure infrastructure and prepare equipment for deployment.
• Configure, stage, test, and validate routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and management equipment.
• Perform pre-deployment validation and testing.
• Coordinate with teams to resolve deployment blockers.
• Document configurations, software versions, and deployment readiness.

Skills

CCNP level networking

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/IT/Network Engineering

Associate degree acceptable

Tools

Cisco devices

Juniper devices

NetBox

Ansible

Git

Job description

Job Title: Associate, Network Engineering
Location-Type:Local Remote - Must Reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Area. Relocation will not be considered at this time.
Start Date Is: ASAP
Duration: 1 year
Work Hours: 8am-5pm CST
Travel: Approximately 10%
Compensation Range: $46-56/hr W2
Benefits: Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, 401K
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Job Description:

Our client is seeking an experienced Network Staging Lab Engineer to support a highly visible, global network infrastructure initiative. This role focuses on remotely configuring, testing, validating, and preparing network equipment for deployment into production data center environments. The engineer will work with routers, switches, firewalls, and other network infrastructure to ensure devices meet technical, security, and operational standards before deployment.

The ideal candidate brings CCNP-level networking expertise, strong hands‑on routing and switching experience, and a solid understanding of physical data center infrastructure. This is a primarily remote engineering role requiring independent troubleshooting, technical ownership, and occasional travel for hands‑on lab or data center support.

Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities:

• Remotely access network devices to establish connectivity, configure infrastructure, and prepare equipment for production deployment.
• Configure, stage, test, and validate routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and out‑of‑band management equipment.
• Perform network configuration deployments, baseline validation, and pre‑deployment acceptance testing.
• Troubleshoot Layer 1 connectivity, cabling, optics, physical interfaces, and other network infrastructure issues.
• Validate routing, switching, security, and network management functionality before deployment.
• Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP, VLANs, Ethernet switching, OSPF, BGP, and related networking technologies.
• Install and validate network operating systems, firmware, and approved software releases.
• Verify device configurations and software versions against established security and operational standards.
• Support network expansion, refresh, migration, and deployment initiatives across global environments.
• Coordinate with network engineering, operations, vendors, and project managers to resolve technical issues and deployment blockers.
• Support occasional onsite rack‑and‑stack, cabling, equipment validation, and data center activities.
• Maintain network device inventory, asset records, configuration documentation, and deployment checklists.
• Document device configurations, software versions, serial numbers, testing results, and deployment readiness.
• Troubleshoot hardware failures and coordinate vendor RMAs when necessary.
• Participate in engineering meetings, technical troubleshooting discussions, and deployment planning.
• Develop and maintain staging procedures, technical runbooks, and standard operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate network staging, configuration, and validation processes.
• Support network automation initiatives involving scripting, zero‑touch provisioning, and configuration management tools.
• Maintain secure handling practices and appropriate documentation throughout the staging and deployment lifecycle.

3+ years of hands‑on network engineering experience supporting routing, switching, network infrastructure, or deployment environments.

CCNP-level networking knowledge or equivalent demonstrated hands‑on technical expertise.

Strong understanding of Layer 1 connectivity and physical network infrastructure within data center environments.

Hands‑on experience working in data center environments.

Experience configuring, troubleshooting, and validating enterprise routers and switches.

Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, Ethernet switching, VLANs, and routing fundamentals.

Working knowledge of routing protocols, including OSPF and BGP.

Experience supporting network staging, deployment, refresh, migration, or network operations activities.

Experience with enterprise networking equipment from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or equivalent.

Familiarity with network hardware, optics, cabling, physical interfaces, and connectivity troubleshooting.

Experience using console access, terminal software, and remote device management tools.

Ability to independently troubleshoot network connectivity, configuration, and hardware issues.

Understanding of network security fundamentals and configuration validation.

Experience maintaining technical documentation, configuration records, and deployment procedures.

Strong technical problem‑solving skills and a structured troubleshooting methodology.

Ability to work independently in a primarily remote environment while collaborating with global engineering teams.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Must reside in the Dallas‑Fort Worth, TX area.

Ability to travel approximately 10% as business needs require.

Ability to perform occasional hands‑on data center activities, including racking, cabling, and lifting equipment up to 50 lbs in accordance with safety guidelines.

Flexibility to provide occasional after‑hours support during critical deployments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juniper networking experience.
• CCNP, JNCIA, or comparable networking certification.
• Experience supporting large‑scale or global network infrastructure environments.
• Experience with large enterprise data center or cloud networking environments.
• Knowledge of IS-IS and Segment Routing (SR‑MPLS).
• Experience with Netmiko or NAPALM.
• Ansible experience for network configuration management and automation.
• Git experience for version control and managing automation scripts or playbooks.
• Experience with zero‑touch provisioning (ZTP).
• Familiarity with NetBox or other network source‑of‑truth platforms.
• Experience with Bash or PowerShell scripting.
• Experience automating repetitive network staging, testing, or validation tasks.
• Experience with asset management, inventory tracking, or network staging lab operations.
• Exposure to AI‑assisted network automation or development tools, including LLM‑based coding assistants.