IT Network Engineer Sr - IT Network Infrastructure

About the position

The position involves leading the design and implementation of high-availability network solutions tailored for the healthcare environment. The role requires managing Cisco-based network infrastructure, ensuring stability and reliability, and optimizing network performance for critical healthcare applications. Responsibilities include troubleshooting network issues, implementing security solutions, ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, and collaborating with various IT teams to support healthcare operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of high-availability network solutions, ensuring scalability and resilience to meet the growing demands of the healthcare environment.
• Design, configure, and manage Cisco-based network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers) to support healthcare applications and services.
• Install and configure Cisco hardware, including routers, switches, and firewalls, ensuring network stability and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and optimize Cisco networks to ensure high availability, low latency, and maximum throughput for critical healthcare systems.
• Work with Cisco Wireless Network Controllers to facilitate WIFI Systems throughout the campuses.
• Implement and manage Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, and network segmentation to improve network performance for healthcare applications such as Electronic Health Records (EHR), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), and telemedicine platforms.
• Utilize Cisco network monitoring tools (such as Cisco Prime, Cisco Catalyst Center, and Cisco Meraki) to proactively monitor network health and troubleshoot performance issues.
• Implement and manage security solutions, including firewalls (Cisco ASA, Firepower, and Palo Alto), VPNs and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
• Ensure compliance with healthcare industry standards (HIPAA) and best practices for data privacy and security within the network.
• Lead security audits, risk assessments, and vulnerability scans to ensure the network is protected from internal and external threats.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of complex network issues, collaborating with IT support teams to resolve escalated tickets.
• Respond quickly to incidents affecting network performance, minimizing downtime and ensuring critical healthcare applications remain operational.
• Work with the helpdesk team to provide tier 2/3 support for network-related issues.
• Collaborate with other IT teams, including Systems, Security, and Applications, to ensure seamless integration of network solutions with healthcare applications and systems.
• Work with clinical and administrative teams to ensure that the network infrastructure meets the needs of all healthcare operations, ensuring critical systems (EHR, EMR, etc.) have optimal performance.
• Create and maintain comprehensive network documentation, including network diagrams, configurations, and procedures, for Cisco-based infrastructure.
• Generate regular reports on network performance, incidents, and resolutions for management and compliance purposes.
• Assist in disaster recovery and business continuity planning through network documentation and backup solutions.
• Meet regularly with Security Team, Manager Network Infrastructure, Director of Network Services, CIO, and Governance committee to discuss projects, incidents, network environment.
• Ensure all changes are made and documented in accordance with McLeod change control, security, and risk assessment policies.
• Participates in support call rotations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Cisco certifications such as CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) or CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) are highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience with Cisco networking technologies in complex enterprise or healthcare environments.
• Proven experience in managing and optimizing large Cisco networks, including routers, switches, wireless controllers, and firewalls, VOIP systems.
• Strong knowledge of Cisco networking protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, STP, VLANs) and network design concepts (e.g., subnetting, IP addressing).
• Expertise in Cisco products (e.g., Catalyst, Nexus, ASA, Meraki) and network management tools (e.g., ISE, Cisco Prime, Spaces, Catalyst Center).
• In-depth knowledge of network security tools and practices.
• Experience with network monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, SolarWinds).
• Knowledge of healthcare-specific IT systems and networking requirements (e.g., EHR, PACS, telemedicine, HL7, DICOM).
• Familiarity with SD-WAN and cloud networking solutions (AWS, Azure) is a plus.
• Understanding of healthcare-specific regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, HITECH) as they relate to network security and data privacy.
• Experience supporting mission-critical healthcare applications and systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with SD-WAN and cloud networking solutions (AWS, Azure) is a plus.