Senior Network Engineer

Platte River Power Authority; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 125,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins, CO, is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, deploy, and manage complex network infrastructure across the organization. You will lead lifecycle management, drive best practices, and work closely with cybersecurity teams to ensure secure, reliable operations.

The role requires deep expertise in routing, switching, wireless, VPNs, and data center networks, along with strong documentation and vendor collaboration.

Qualifications

• Six to seven years of experience as a systems engineer or equivalent in an enterprise computing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, Computer Science, Engineering or related field or equivalent combination of education.
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy

Responsibilities

• Lead design, deployment, and lifecycle management of complex network infrastructure.
• Provide advanced networking support and mentor junior engineers.
• Develop network diagrams and documentation with Visio.
• Manage routers, firewalls, ACLs, and VPNs.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams on security standards.

Skills

Networking engineering

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Vendor evaluations

Visio

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred) in CS/IS/Engineering

Tools

Visio

Job description

Job summary

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for leading the design, deployment, implementation, and lifecycle management of complex network infrastructure systems. Oversees advanced network architecture, configuration, optimization, and maintenance activities. Identifies and resolves complex technical issues, performs in‑depth system assessments, and implements durable solutions to ensure reliability and performance. Responsibilities include managing system updates and patching, executing vulnerability management tasks, monitoring and analyzing system health and logs, and maintaining accurate architecture diagrams and documentation. Contributes to long‑term infrastructure strategy, provides expert‑level troubleshooting support, and guides best practices throughout the environment.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization

Advanced‑Level Support for Information technology (IT) Environments:

• Provide advanced support to the infrastructure team, assisting staff with complex problems using advanced skills and extensive experience.
• Provide advanced networking support, troubleshooting/resolving incidents, and mentoring lower‑level system engineers.

System Design and Development for IT

• Lower‑level design implementation and deployment of complex systems, ensuring alignment with project objectives and industry best practices.
  
• Collaborates with project management, stakeholders, applications, service desk, and cybersecurity teams for project scoping, Low‑level design understanding, and ensuring standards are accurate and well‑documented.

Monitoring and Configuration for IT

• Ensure systems are properly configured and proactively monitored in the environment, supporting the team in maintaining these standards.
  
• Manage the maintenance and patching process, including researching, documenting, and communicating changes; handle change tickets and implement patches in the IT environment.
  
• Help maintain new and existing monitoring tools
  

Network Analysis and Troubleshooting for IT

• Perform system analysis, troubleshooting, and debugging to ensure system performance and reliability.
  
• Recommend new tools and participate in vendor evaluations with the team of new innovative tools.
  

Network Engineering and Management for IT

• Collaborate with the team and vendors for current industry trends and emerging technologies, recommending their integration into our systems.
  
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of third‑party tools and components.
  
• Buildout of low‑level design and network diagrams, new project integration, and innovative deployments.
  
• Collaborate with the Information Governance group to develop and follow retention policies and processes.
  
• Adhere to and contribute to change management processes and procedures.
  

Network Engineering and Administration

• Deploy and implement the overall network infrastructure. This includes LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data center network solutions.
  
• Implement routing, switching, wireless, and network segmentation strategies throughout the network.
  
• Deploy the architected network design for the installation, configuration, testing, and management of network equipment across the organization.
  
• Deploy advanced features such as high availability, wide‑area routing, route redistribution, and link aggregation.
  
• Manage and maintain routers, firewalls, and assist with defining/implementing complex firewall rules and ACLs.
  
• Deploy and configure wireless networking management and monitoring technologies.
  
• Develop and test device hardening standards and processes.
  
• Advanced understanding of networking concepts, including layer 2/3, wireless, firewalls, ACLs, VPNs, WAN, OSI/TCP/IP models, IP address management, DHCP, DNS, servers, storage systems, network equipment, and datacenter hardware.
  

Additional Requirements

• Effectively collaborates with cross‑functional stakeholders, manages competing priorities, and consistently delivers high‑quality work within established deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
  
• Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers.
  
• Lead technical aspects of infrastructure projects.
  
• Continuously develop new skills through training and collaboration with experienced systems engineers.
  
• Demonstrate safe work practices and comply with established safety procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Requirements

• Delivers reliable and secure information technology solutions combined with the highest levels of customer service
  
• Produces clear, accurate, and professional written communications, delivers information effectively to diverse audiences, and demonstrates active listening skills to ensure understanding and successful collaboration.
  
• Willingness to learn new technologies and obtain and maintain required technical certifications
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, exhibit a positive attitude, and collaborate to provide high level of customer service
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and work with frequent interruptions.
  
• Ability to work occasionally during the evenings, weekends, after hours and on‑call for both scheduled and unscheduled events
• Possess intermediate troubleshooting skills in areas of assignment and basic troubleshooting skills of other areas
• Considered a subject matter expert in at least one of the assignment areas
• Experience using Visio or similar tools for creating diagrams and documentation

Network Architecture and Engineering

• Advanced understanding of OSI or TCP/IP networking models
  
• Design, implement, and support enterprise network infrastructure include LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, and data center networks.
  
• Manage data center technologies including VXLAN, BGP, and OSPF.
  
• Comprehensive understanding of IP address management, DHCP and DNS
• Advanced understanding of monitoring and logging tools
  
• Develop scalable network solutions aligned with business objectives and technology roadmaps.
  
• Lead network modernization initiatives, upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure refresh projects.
  
• Advanced understanding of wireless networking and management technologies
  
• Advanced understanding of firewalls, ACLs, and VPNs
• Advanced understanding of WAN and routing technologies
  
• Provide Tier 3 support for complex network issues and outages; follow up with root cause analysis and develop corrective action plans.

Network Security

• Implement and maintain network security controls including next‑generation firewalls, network segmentation, NAC solutions, and VPN services
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance on security standards and policy

Qualifications

Required

• Six to seven years of experience as a systems engineer or equivalent in an enterprise computing environment
• Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, Computer Science, Engineering or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Relevant experience may be substituted for education
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy

Preferred education, licenses, and work experience

• Master’s degree in computer information systems, Computer Science, Engineering or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Palo Alto, and Cisco i.e. CompTIA Server+

Physical demands

Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Minimal walking or standing as needed.

Hazards

Minimal exposure to hazards are typically found in general office environment where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident.

Work environment

Exposure to routine office noise and equipment

Pay

Salaries are paid bi-weekly and are annualized below for reference. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include special skills, years of experience, education, and certifications.

• Full range: $124,820 to $180,991
• Hiring range: $124,820 to $152,906