Senior Network Engineer – Cisco, Fortinet & AWS

Hydrogen Group; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 140,000; Part time

Job summary

Hydrogen Group is seeking a Senior Network Engineer in Palo Alto, CA, hybrid arrangement, to design, configure and maintain on-prem enterprise networks using Cisco Nexus 9000 switches, Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, and develop secure site-to-site VPNs. The role includes exposure to AWS hybrid cloud networking with Transit Gateway, PrivateLink, VPC endpoints and Route 53, and DNS expertise.

You will work with internal IT teams and vendors to ensure performance, security and reliability.

Qualifications

• Design, install, configure, maintain and optimize enterprise LAN/WAN network infrastructure.
• Manage Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches, routers and wireless access points.
• Configure and administer Fortinet FortiGate firewalls.
• Troubleshoot complex routing, switching, connectivity and network performance issues.
• Maintain secure, reliable network connectivity across offices and external sites.
• Identify opportunities to improve network resilience and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex network incidents and infrastructure-related support requests.
• Investigate root causes of hardware/software, routing and firewall issues.
• Coordinate with remote IT teams and stakeholders to resolve technical issues efficiently.
• Maintain clear technical documentation of configurations and incidents.
• Proactively identify and implement network improvements during lower-demand periods.

Skills

Enterprise networking

Cisco Nexus 9000

Fortinet FortiGate

VPN & site-to-site

AWS Hybrid Cloud

LAN/WAN

Network security

Troubleshooting

Vendor coordination

Documentation

Tools

Cisco Nexus 9000 switches

Fortinet FortiGate

Cisco ISE

Cisco DNA Center

AWS Transit Gateway

VPC endpoints

Route 53

Job description

Senior Network Engineer - Cisco, Fortinet & AWS

Location: Palo Alto, CA (Hybrid)
Pay Rate: $86.66 per hour
Contract Duration: 6 months initially
Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Travel: Up to 30%

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to support enterprise networking infrastructure for an innovative organization operating within the automotive and technology sector.

Based in Palo Alto, California, this position will focus primarily on the design, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of on-premises enterprise networks, including Cisco Nexus switching, Fortinet firewalls, wireless networking and secure site-to-site connectivity.

The successful candidate will act as a senior technical escalation point, taking ownership of complex network issues, supporting business-critical infrastructure and collaborating with internal IT teams and external vendors.

In addition to core network engineering responsibilities, the role will provide exposure to AWS hybrid cloud networking, including Transit Gateway, PrivateLink, VPC endpoints and Route 53.

This is a hands-on engineering position suited to someone who enjoys solving complex infrastructure challenges and proactively improving network reliability, security and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Network Infrastructure

• Design, install, configure, maintain and optimize enterprise LAN/WAN network infrastructure.

• Manage Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches, routers, wireless access points and associated network hardware.

• Support the configuration and administration of Fortinet FortiGate firewalls.

• Troubleshoot complex routing, switching, connectivity and network performance issues.

• Maintain secure, reliable network connectivity across corporate offices, operational facilities and external sites.

• Identify opportunities to improve network resilience, performance and operational efficiency.

Network Security, Wireless & VPN Connectivity

• Configure, troubleshoot and maintain enterprise firewall policies, VPN connections and network security infrastructure.

• Work directly with external vendors to establish, validate and maintain secure site-to-site VPN tunnels.

• Support Cisco enterprise wireless infrastructure, including Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco DNA Center.

• Diagnose wireless connectivity, authentication and network access issues.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to resolve network security and connectivity challenges.

• Support secure connectivity between vendor environments and company facilities.

Advanced Troubleshooting & IT Support

• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex network incidents and infrastructure-related support requests.

• Investigate hardware, software, routing, firewall and connectivity issues to identify root causes.

• Prioritize incoming support tickets based on business impact, operational urgency and service requirements.

• Coordinate with remote IT teams and internal stakeholders to resolve technical issues efficiently.

• Maintain clear technical documentation relating to network configurations, incidents and troubleshooting activities.

• Proactively identify and implement network improvements during periods of lower support demand.

AWS Hybrid Cloud Networking

• Support connectivity between on-premises enterprise networks and AWS cloud environments.

• Assist with hybrid network routing using AWS Transit Gateway.

• Support deployment and maintenance of AWS PrivateLink and private VPC endpoints.

• Assist with hybrid DNS resolution using Amazon Route 53, including hosted zones and resolvers.

• Utilize AWS networking monitoring tools, including VPC Flow Logs, CloudWatch Metrics and Transit Gateway Network Manager.

• Investigate connectivity issues, latency and routing problems between physical facilities and AWS environments.

• Collaborate with cloud and infrastructure engineering teams to maintain secure hybrid connectivity.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on experience in enterprise network engineering, administration and infrastructure support.

• Demonstrated expertise configuring, managing and troubleshooting Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches.

• Strong working knowledge of Cisco routing, switching and LAN/WAN networking technologies.

• Practical experience configuring and supporting Fortinet FortiGate firewalls.

• Experience establishing, configuring and troubleshooting site-to-site VPN tunnels.

• Strong understanding of enterprise networking protocols, IP addressing, routing, DNS and network security.

• Experience supporting Cisco wireless networking environments.

• Familiarity with Cisco ISE and Cisco DNA Center administration or troubleshooting.

• Proven ability to investigate and resolve complex network infrastructure incidents.

• Experience working with vendors, internal IT teams and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ability to independently prioritize technical issues and manage competing operational demands.

• Strong communication, documentation and problem-solving skills.

• Willingness to work in a hybrid arrangement in Palo Alto and travel up to 30% as required.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience supporting hybrid networking environments connecting on-premises infrastructure with AWS.

• Knowledge of AWS Transit Gateway, AWS PrivateLink and VPC endpoints.

• Familiarity with Amazon Route 53, including DNS resolvers and hosted zones.

• Experience using AWS CloudWatch, VPC Flow Logs or other cloud network monitoring tools.

• Relevant networking certifications, such as Cisco CCNP, CCNA or Fortinet certifications.

• Previous experience supporting enterprise networks across multiple locations or operational facilities.

• Experience working within automotive, manufacturing, technology or other complex enterprise environments.

Contract Details

• Pay Rate: $86.66 per hour

• Contract: Initial 6-month assignment

• Location: Palo Alto, California

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid

• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM

• Travel: Up to 30%

Why Apply?

This opportunity offers an experienced Senior Network Engineer the chance to support a sophisticated enterprise network environment, working with Cisco, Fortinet and AWS networking technologies.

You will take ownership of challenging infrastructure issues, collaborate with technical teams and vendors, and contribute directly to the security, reliability and performance of business-critical network systems.

The position combines hands-on network engineering, technical troubleshooting and opportunities to develop further experience in hybrid cloud connectivity.