Infrastructure Engineer I

EMPIST•Chicago, IL

6d•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Networking-Focused ISG Engineer is responsible for supporting, optimizing, and securing EMPIST’s client network environments across on premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures. This role serves as a primary escalation point for advanced networking issues and plays a critical part in ensuring high availability, strong security, and exceptional client experience.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on networking or infrastructure engineering experience
Strong proficiency with firewalls, switching, and routing (Fortinet strongly preferred)
Experience supporting multi‑tenant MSP or multi‑environment infrastructure
Strong understanding of DNS, DHCP, VLANs, NAC, and network security principles
Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Azure AD, and virtualization concepts (VMware/Hyper‑V)
Experience with wireless platforms such as Aruba, Cisco, Meraki, or Fortinet
Ability to work onsite, remotely, and at client locations as required
Strong troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications (CCNA, CCNP, Network+, Fortinet NSE, or equivalent)
Experience with SD‑WAN, QoS, and VoIP-related network configurations
Familiarity with ITGlue or similar documentation platforms
Experience designing or supporting hybrid-cloud networking (Azure, AWS)

Responsibilities

Serve as a Level 2/3 escalation point for complex networking issues across multiple client environments
Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot firewalls (Fortinet & Meraki preferred)
Support routing, switching, VPN, VLAN segmentation, and wireless deployments
Implement SD‑WAN, site‑to‑site VPNs, and client VPNs
Perform network health assessments, optimization recommendations, and remediation
Utilize network monitoring tools to proactively identify and resolve issues
Support and optimize wireless environments across HP/Aruba, Cisco, Meraki, and Fortinet platforms
Troubleshoot RF performance issues and assist with wireless redesigns or expansions
Work with Infrastructure and Cloud engineers to ensure alignment between network configurations and server, Azure, and VMware environments
Support basic server, virtualization, and identity-related troubleshooting when issues intersect with network performance or connectivity
Assist with hybrid connectivity between cloud and on-prem networks
Collaborate on infrastructure tickets where networking and systems layers overlap
Maintain accurate documentation, diagrams, and configuration standards
Contribute to knowledgebase content and best practices
Participate in on‑call rotation
Deliver exceptional customer service both onsite and remotely
Communicate clearly with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
Provide guidance to Service Desk and Field Engineers to reduce networking escalations