Senior Network Engineer

Orion Innovation; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Innovation is seeking two senior data center network engineers in Edison, NJ, to design, implement, and automate its data center and DMZ networks for a Tier-1 global bank. This role requires hands-on expertise in spine-leaf fabrics (Cisco/Nexus, Arista EOS), F5 BIG-IP, and network automation using Python and Ansible.

The ideal candidates bring ~15 years of experience, strong routing and security fundamentals, and the ability to navigate extensive change-control processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on data center networking across design, implementation, and operations.
• Spine-leaf architecture, VXLAN/EVPN, and data center SDN with Cisco ACI/Nexus and Arista EOS/CloudVision.
• F5 BIG-IP (LTM, GTM/DNS, iRules, SSL offload, HA) in DMZ or multi-tier data center; AS3/Declarative Onboarding/BIG-IQ is a plus.
• Routing and switching: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, QoS, VPN/tunneling.
• Automation: Python, Ansible, YAML, REST APIs, JSON/XML, Git-based change control.
• ITIL: change, incident, problem, request management.
• Clear written and verbal communication; ability to produce executive summaries and Visio diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate spine-leaf data center fabrics on Cisco and Arista platforms.
• Engineer and support F5 BIG-IP for data center and DMZ: load balancing, SSL offload, global traffic management, WAF policies.
• Develop and maintain network automation replacing manual changes using Python, Ansible, and Itential.
• Create implementation plans with test criteria, back-out plans, and validation procedures.
• Provide Level 3 support for production incidents and lead root cause analysis.
• Support audits and regulatory reviews with accurate documentation.
• Document designs and hand off to Operations; mentor junior engineers on automation.
• Report milestone progress to engagement lead and client's engineering managers.

Skills

Spine-leaf architecture

VXLAN/EVPN

F5 BIG-IP administration

Python automation

Ansible

REST APIs

Network security fundamentals

BGP/OSPF/IS-IS

Networking troubleshooting

Documentation & diagrams

Education

CCNP Data Center

CCIE Data Center

Arista ACE

F5 Certified

Tools

Cisco ACI

Nexus

Arista EOS

CloudVision

Itential

BIG-IP management

Job description

Orion Innovation is a premier, award-winning, global business and technology services firm. Orion delivers game-changing business transformation and product development rooted in digital strategy, experience design, and engineering, with a unique combination of agility, scale, and maturity. We work with a wide range of clients across many industries including financial services, professional services, telecommunications and media, consumer products, automotive, industrial automation, professional sports and entertainment, life sciences, ecommerce, and education.

Project Overview

A Tier-1 global bank is seeking two senior data center network engineers, roughly 15 years of experience each, to design, implement, and automate its data center and DMZ networks. The ideal hire combines spine-leaf fabric expertise (Cisco and Arista), F5 load balancing, and hands-on network automation, with prior experience at a large bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate spine-leaf (VXLAN/EVPN) data center fabrics on Cisco and Arista platforms.
• Engineer and support F5 BIG-IP application delivery for data center and DMZ: load balancing, SSL/TLS offload, global traffic management, and web application firewall policies.
• Build and maintain network automation that replaces manual change: provisioning, configuration compliance, validation, and drift detection, using Python, Ansible, and an orchestration platform such as Itential.
• Turn approved designs into implementation plans with test and acceptance criteria, back-out plans, and validation procedures.
• Run quality assurance reviews before each implementation and follow the bank's change management and design authority processes.
• Provide Level 3 escalation for production network incidents and drive root cause analysis.
• Assess risk to production and protect service resiliency on every change.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory exams with accurate documentation.
• Document designs and hand services over to Operations, and coach junior engineers on automation practices.
• Report milestone progress to the engagement lead and the client's engineering managers.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of hands-on data center networking across design, implementation, and operations
• Spine-leaf architecture, VXLAN/EVPN, and data center SDN: Cisco ACI and Nexus, Arista EOS and CloudVision.
• F5 BIG-IP (the gap to close): LTM, GTM/DNS, iRules, SSL/TLS offload, high availability, and troubleshooting in a DMZ or multi-tier data center. Experience with F5 AS3/Declarative Onboarding and BIG-IQ is a strong plus.
• Routing and switching: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, multicast, MPLS, QoS, and VPN/tunneling (IPsec, GRE, MACsec).
• Network security fundamentals: segmentation, firewall and DMZ design, ACLs.
• Automation: Python, Ansible, YAML, REST APIs, JSON/XML, and Git-based change control.
• Troubleshooting and monitoring tools: Wireshark, NetScout, SolarWinds, and similar packet and flow analysis.
• ITIL processes: change, incident, problem, and request management.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including executive summaries and Visio-level design diagrams.

Certifications (at least one professional-level preferred)

CCNP or CCIE (Data Center), Arista ACE, F5 Certified (F5-CA or higher), CISSP.

Orion is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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