Sr. Network Engineer (Remote- US Based Only)

TRAC Recruiting, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

TRAC Recruiting, Inc. is seeking a Senior Network Engineer for a fully remote US-based position.

The role emphasizes hands-on networking with automation, Python scripting, and collaboration with software engineers to build and operate scalable cloud-based networks. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in production IP networks, multi-vendor experience, and a drive to expand into software engineering, including REST APIs and cloud technologies.

Qualifications

• 8+ years hands-on experience designing, deploying, operating, and troubleshooting production IP networks.
• Strong understanding of routing, switching, VLANs, NAT, firewalls, DHCP, DNS, VPNs, and QoS.
• Deep hands-on experience with network authentication technologies (RADIUS, AAA, 802.1X, EAP).
• Experience with multi-vendor environments and network automation using Python/Bash.

Responsibilities

• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot large-scale multi-vendor network environments.
• Develop scripts to automate provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and device lifecycle.
• Collaborate with software engineers to design networked software services.
• Support on-call rotation and disaster recovery readiness.
• Document standards and runbooks for network operations.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Routing & Switching

Network automation

Python scripting

Linux command line

REST APIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

CCNA/CCNP or equivalent

Tools

Git

CI/CD tooling

Job description

We are seeking a Network Engineer (REMOTE- US Based Only)for a full time and direct hire role for one of our amazing partners in the United States. This role is remote, but you MUST be living in the United States and be a US Citizen for Green Card Holder. This role does NOT offer sponsorship, it's NOT a consulting role, and we do NOT work with 3rd parties!

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to work with network protocols & devices. You will join a growing software engineering organization developing cloud-based technology that supports large-scale, distributed network environments. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced network engineer who also has strong programming and scripting skills and wants to take the next step into software engineering. The ideal candidate will bring deep, hands‑on experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting production IP networks, along with expertise in network authentication, multi‑vendor network equipment, automation, and network operations at scale. In this role, you’ll initially serve as a network and device subject matter expert while working closely with experienced software engineers. Over time, you’ll take on increasing responsibility for designing and developing production software services that interact with and control network infrastructure. This is a hands‑on individual contributor role working within an Agile/Scrum development environment.

This role is ideal for a senior network engineer who wants to expand beyond traditional network operations. You’ll bring the networking expertise to the team while working alongside experienced software engineers who can help accelerate your development skills. The long‑term opportunity is to become a hybrid engineer capable of designing both the network infrastructure and the software systems that manage and interact with it. If you have strong networking fundamentals, enjoy solving complex infrastructure problems, already have a programming foundation, and are genuinely excited about moving deeper into software engineering, this role offers an opportunity to make that transition while working on large‑scale, cloud‑based technology.

Responsibilities:

Network Engineering & Infrastructure

• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot large‑scale, multi‑vendor network environments including routers, switches, gateways, and wireless access points
• Design, operate, and troubleshoot network authentication environments involving RADIUS, AAA, 802.1X, EAP, certificate‑based authentication, captive portals, and MAC‑based authentication
• Apply deep knowledge of routing, switching, VLANs, NAT, firewalls, DHCP, DNS, VPNs, QoS, and other core networking technologies
• Diagnose complex network issues across Layers 2–7 using packet captures, device logs, monitoring tools, and system telemetry
• Support large, distributed network deployments with centralized configuration, monitoring, firmware management, and device lifecycle processes

Automation & Development

• Develop scripts and automation to improve network provisioning, configuration management, authentication, monitoring, and device lifecycle management
• Use technologies such as Python, Bash, network scripting languages, and vendor APIs to automate repetitive processes and improve operational efficiency
• Build diagnostic and troubleshooting tools that help identify and resolve issues across large network environments
• Translate network behavior and vendor capabilities into technical requirements for software applications and services
• Work with senior software engineers to progressively take ownership of software development projects
• Design, develop, and maintain software services that interact with or control network infrastructure
• Work with REST APIs, Linux‑based environments, cloud infrastructure, and containerized services

Software Engineering Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineering, product, UX, and other cross‑functional teams to develop scalable products and features
• Participate in architecture and design discussions involving both network infrastructure and software systems
• Contribute to code reviews, technical discovery, testing, and software development best practices
• Help incorporate security requirements into both network architecture and the software development lifecycle
• Work within an Agile/Scrum environment, including two‑week development sprints
• Participate in an on‑call rotation as needed

Documentation & Knowledge Sharing

• Document network standards, processes, architecture, and troubleshooting procedures
• Develop and maintain technical runbooks and operational documentation
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor other team members on network protocols, devices, and infrastructure
• Stay current with networking, cloud, security, and software development best practices

Requirements:

• 8+ years of hands‑on experience designing, deploying, operating, and troubleshooting production IP networks
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including routing, switching, VLANs, NAT, firewalls, DHCP, DNS, VPNs, and QoS
• Ability to troubleshoot complex issues across Layers 2–7
• Deep hands‑on experience with network authentication technologies, including RADIUS, AAA, 802.1X, EAP, and certificate‑based authentication
• Experience working with multiple network hardware and software vendors across routers, switches, gateways, and wireless infrastructure
• Experience managing large fleets of network devices across multi‑site or distributed environments
• Experience with centralized network configuration, monitoring, firmware management, and device lifecycle processes
• Strong programming and scripting experience applied to network operations and automation
• Experience with technologies such as Python, Bash, network scripting, and REST APIs
• Strong Linux skills and comfort working in command‑line environments
• Demonstrated ability and genuine interest in transitioning from primarily network‑focused engineering into broader software engineering
• Willingness to learn and apply modern software development practices, including version control, code review, automated testing, CI/CD, and cloud technologies
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work effectively in a remote, Agile development environment

Nice to Have:

• Experience with large‑scale Wi‑Fi/WLAN deployments
• Experience supporting high‑density wireless environments such as hospitality, multi‑family, education, or other distributed environments
• Familiarity with cloud‑managed and controller‑based wireless systems
• Understanding of wireless RF fundamentals
• Professional software engineering experience beyond scripting
• Experience developing software that interacts with or controls network infrastructure
• Experience with RESTful API development
• Experience with Git and CI/CD practices
• Experience with AWS or other major cloud platforms
• Experience with serverless architecture, infrastructure‑as‑code, or CloudFormation
• Experience developing or supporting security‑hardened containerized services
• Experience with Python, C#/.NET, SQL, or similar technologies
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field
• Industry‑recognized networking certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CWNA, vendor‑specific certifications, or equivalent experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. You must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.