Senior Network Administrator

Hendrickson; Woodridge (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hendrickson seeks a Senior Network Administrator to design, build, and support its global network, security, and telecommunications infrastructure for reliable, high-performance operations.

You will lead architecture, deploy SD-WAN/MPLS, configure firewalls and VPNs, and ensure ongoing vulnerability mitigation. Responsibilities include backups, DR planning, cross-site collaboration, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, CS, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in network administration and design.
• Experience with WAN/LAN, SD-WAN, MPLS, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Strong collaboration, leadership, and vendor coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, monitor, and maintain global network infrastructure.
• Lead network architecture, planning, and lifecycle management.
• Manage security controls, NAC, VLANs, patching, and vulnerability mitigation.
• Troubleshoot complex network, system, and telephony issues.
• Oversee backups, disaster recovery, and testing.
• Coordinate with vendors and IT teams across sites.
• Develop technical documentation and network diagrams.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

TCP/IP DNS DHCP

VLANs routing switching

VPN MFA

Security controls

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Cisco CCNA/CCNP

CCNA Security

Microsoft certs

VMware

CompTIA

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Senior Network Administrator designs, builds, and supports the company's global network, telecommunications, and system infrastructure to ensure secure, reliable, and high-performing business operations.

Essential Functions:

• Design, implement, configure, monitor, and maintain global Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure, including Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), switches, routers, firewalls, wireless systems, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Virtual Private Network (VPN), and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Serve as technical lead for network architecture, planning, integration, optimization, and lifecycle management across all supported sites.
• Coordinate with divisional Information Technology (IT) teams to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
• Manage and secure network infrastructure through best-practice security controls, including firewalls, Network Access Control (NAC), Virtual LAN (VLAN) segmentation, patching, and ongoing vulnerability mitigation.
• Monitor system performance, utilization, availability, and capacity.
• Analyze trends and recommend improvements to enhance reliability, security, and scalability.
• Install, configure, and support servers, Personal Computers (PCs), printers, cabling, time clocks, barcode equipment, and related hardware and software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network, system, application, and telephony issues.
• Provide escalation support for enterprise systems and infrastructure.
• Lead backup, disaster recovery, and system integrity initiatives.
• Maintain backups and conduct regular recovery testing with continuous improvement.
• Coordinate third-party vendors and service providers for network services, repairs, warranties, and infrastructure support.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, network diagrams, inventories, procedures, and the company knowledge base.
• Communicate maintenance activities, outages, and service impacts through established communication plans.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance to IT staff.
• Collaborate cross-functionally as a technical resource.
• Support additional company locations as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all systems and data.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Training:

• A bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field is required.
• A master's degree is a plus.
• Certifications such as, but not limited to, Cisco CCNA Routing & Switching, Cisco CCNP Routing & Switching, Cisco CCNA Security, CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, and VMware are a plus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years' experience.
• Ability to travel to division and plant locations up to 75% of the time on an as needed basis.
• Willingness to work evenings or weekends when system needs require it.
• In-depth knowledge of networking technologies and protocols, including but not limited to, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, VLANs, routing, switching, WAN, LAN, wireless networking, and VoIP systems.
• Hands-on experience with network architecture, design, and new data center implementations.
• Experience installing, configuring, administering, and supporting firewalls, network security technologies, and VPN solutions.
• Strong ability to diagnose and resolve complex hardware, software, network, and telecommunications issues.
• Knowledge of backup and recovery methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Strong project management, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Ability to provide effective group and on-on-one technical support and training.
• Demonstrated professionalism, initiative, strong work ethic, and ability to work independently.
• Ability to coordinate and manage vendor relationships for hardware repair, warranty services, and network support.

Benefits:

We offer a full complement of benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life, travel, and disability insurance; a flexible spending account; 401K plans; a pension plan; paid holidays and vacation. We also offer financial assistance programs if you decide to adopt a child or want to pursue further education. We have a comprehensive wellness program and an Employee Assistance Program, that supports individuals in the proactive management of their overall health and wellness.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.