IT Engineer II-Network Data Services

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan•Detroit, MI

About The Position

The LAN/WAN Network Engineer II is responsible for the design, implementation approach, and maintenance of the local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) infrastructure. This role requires a deep understanding of network protocols, hardware, software, and security mechanisms. The Network Engineer II will lead medium and high complexity projects, mentor junior engineers, provide tier III support for an outsourced operation model, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and deliver on stakeholder expectations. The engineer will design, build, test, implement, maintain, and optimize the network, telecommunications, desktop, and mobility system infrastructure and operations. This includes monitoring and optimizing the performance of operating systems and applications, diagnosing system failures and taking corrective action, and using a strong client service orientation to ensure all requests and problems are resolved. The role involves coordinating and working on multiple cross-functional initiatives/work groups and projects as a team member, sometimes as a technical lead. The engineer will develop/build complex systems that may have system-wide impact and integrate across the organization, and participate in short- and long-term planning efforts with stakeholders and IT groups. They will develop cost/time estimates, work with business analysts, Architecture, and stakeholders to understand business needs, and evaluate technical requirements for projects to determine the impact to the infrastructure. This includes determining systems specifications, input/output processes, and working parameters for hardware/software compatibility. The engineer will design and implement security solutions, maintain existing security capabilities, and make recommendations and implement appropriate up-to-date security technologies. They will also make recommendations to improve security and participate in investigations as needed. The role involves assisting in establishing requirements, methods, and procedures for routine maintenance, designing, planning, and leading testing efforts, and coordinating feedback of test results. Developing test case files and conducting testing to ensure requirements are met are key responsibilities. The engineer will deploy and review new, modified, or enhanced system components or services, operationalize new components for service, and ensure performance meets the present and future needs of the business. This includes forecasting utilization patterns and identifying modifications or upgrades, recommending changes/enhancements for improved systems availability, reliability, and performance, and recommending operational metrics. Analyzing metrics to understand performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvements is also crucial. The engineer will perform Level 3 issue assessment and resolution on systems, investigate alternative methods to expedite problem resolution, and recommend procedures and controls for problem resolution or create temporary solutions until permanent solutions can be implemented. Researching, analyzing, and recommending the implementation of software or hardware changes to rectify any problems, and participating in the identification of vulnerabilities and mitigation plans are also part of the role. Assisting in the development of disaster recovery plans with service providers, supporting and helping establish systems environment standards, and working with auditors and security groups to ensure adherence to governance, regulations, and compliance with policies and procedures are expected. The engineer will work with vendors to resolve problems, monitor services provided by vendors to ensure service levels meet requirements, and evaluate vendor solutions to ensure compliance with requirements and cost-effectiveness. Documenting new or modified functions, modules, test activities/results, and other areas, ensuring all documentation is delivered according to specified guidelines and on selected media, and providing leadership, coaching, and mentoring to less-experienced team members are also key aspects of the role. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.
5 years of relevant technology work experience required.
Relevant certification is required.
Demonstrate knowledge of broad range hardware and software products.
Knowledge of products and services.
Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing environments
Written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with system users and other technical colleagues.
Ability to work independently or within a team environment.
Analytical thinking skills.
Other related skills and/or abilities may be required to perform this job.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
8+ years of hands-on experience in LAN/WAN Network Operations
5+ years of Engineering network solutions (LAN/WAN/Secure Access)
Understanding of ITIL standards and strong process development
Proficient in network hardware and software, such as Cisco, Juniper, F5, Akamai and Zscaler technologies

Responsibilities

Design, build, test, implement, maintain, and optimize the network, telecommunications, desktop, and mobility system infrastructure and operations.
Monitor and optimize the performance of operating systems and applications.
Diagnose system failures and take corrective action.
Use strong client service orientation to ensure all requests and problems are resolved.
Coordinate and work on multiple cross-functional initiatives/work groups and projects as a team member, sometimes as a technical lead.
Develop/build complex systems that may have system-wide impact and integrate across the organization.
Participate in short- and long-term planning effort with stakeholders IT groups.
Develop cost/time estimates.
Work with business analysts, Architecture, and stakeholders to understand business needs.
Evaluate technical requirements for projects to determine the impact to the infrastructure.
Determine systems specifications, input/output processes and working parameters for hardware/software compatibility.
Design and implement security solutions.
Maintain existing security capabilities, making recommendations and implementing appropriate up to date security technologies.
Make recommendations to improve security and participate in investigations as needed.
Assist in establishing requirements, methods and procedures for routine maintenance.
Design, plan and lead testing efforts and coordinate feedback of test results.
Develop test case files.
Conduct testing to ensure requirements are met.
Deploy and review new, modified or enhanced system components or services.
Operationalize new components for service.
Ensure performance meets the present and future needs of the business.
Forecast utilization patterns and identify modifications or upgrades.
Recommend changes/enhancements for improved systems availability, reliability and performance.
Recommend operational metrics.
Analyze metrics to understand performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvements.
Perform Level 3 issue assessment and resolution on systems.
Investigate alternative methods to expedite problem resolution.
Recommend procedures and controls for problem resolution or create temporary solutions until permanent solutions can be implemented.
Research, analyze and recommend the implementation of software or hardware changes to rectify any problems.
Participate in the identification of vulnerabilities and mitigation plan.
Assist in the development of disaster recovery plans with service providers.
Support and help establish systems environment standards.
Work with auditors and security groups to ensure adherence to governance, regulations, and compliance with policies and procedures.
Work with vendors to resolve problems.
Monitor services provided by vendors to ensure service levels meet requirements.
Evaluate vendor solutions to ensure compliance with requirements and cost-effectiveness.
Document new or modified functions, modules, test activities/results and other areas.
Ensures all documentation is delivered according to specified guidelines and on selected media.
Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to less-experienced team members.
Other duties as assigned.