Lead Network Engineer

Fortitude Mining, LLC • Grand Island, NE

1d

About The Position

The Lead Network Engineer is a key member of the IT & Cybersecurity team, responsible for implementing, maintaining, and securing network infrastructure supporting mission-critical mining operations. Reporting to the Director of Network Operations, this role leads network deployments based on approved architecture designs and project requirements, ensuring implementation quality, performance, reliability, and operational readiness. The position maintains network documentation, topology diagrams, technical procedures, disaster recovery playbooks, and security controls. It supports mining operations, curtailment connectivity, OT network integrations, and cybersecurity initiatives while following established security standards and change management processes. The engineer also provides technical guidance, post-deployment validation, incident response, day-to-day operational support, and on-call coverage for infrastructure supporting 24/7 mining operations.

The role involves a combination of office, remote, and active infrastructure environments, including data centers, industrial sites, and mission-critical operational facilities across the United States. Frequent travel to company sites and partner facilities is required for deployments, maintenance, troubleshooting, and network expansion. Work may involve standing, walking, climbing ladders, working within equipment racks, handling cabling and hardware, and working around noise, varying temperatures, and active electrical and mechanical infrastructure. Occasional lifting and moving of equipment weighing up to 50 pounds may be required. Employees must follow company safety procedures, operational protocols, OSHA regulations, site access requirements, electrical safety practices, PPE requirements, applicable lockout/tagout procedures, and physical security standards. The role supports a 24/7 environment and may require after-hours maintenance, on-call rotations, emergency response, and scheduled deployments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional IT experience.
• 5–10 years of experience in network engineering, network administration, infrastructure support, or a related technical role.
• Active CCNA, CCNP, or Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) in Secure Networking certification.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise switching, routing, firewalls, wireless networking, and WAN connectivity.
• Strong understanding of the OSI model and networking fundamentals, including Ethernet, TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, routing, switching, and firewall policies.
• Experience with network monitoring, SNMP, performance analysis, incident troubleshooting, configuration backups, and device recovery procedures.
• Ability to perform physical network installations, including structured cabling, equipment racking, and wireless access point installation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical leadership skills, with the ability to execute deployments and manage implementation activities with minimal supervision.
• Ability and willingness to participate in on-call support and travel to Fortitude locations as business and operational needs require.
• Ability to follow applicable safety procedures, operational protocols, OSHA regulations, and site requirements in production and field environments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, and/or UniFi technologies.
• Experience with network automation, scripting, operational technology (OT), mining infrastructure, or automated systems.
• Interest or experience in cryptocurrency and/or blockchain.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to learn complex systems quickly.
• Documentation experience, especially diagramming system data flows and connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, and UniFi network infrastructure, including firewalls, switches, and wireless systems.
• Lead end-to-end network deployments, including planning, configuration, testing, quality assurance, documentation, and production handoff.
• Support network operations, troubleshooting, and performance optimization across switching, VLANs, trunks, LAGs, TCP/IP, DNS, routing, NAT, WAN, SD-WAN, and firewalls.
• Execute physical network buildouts, including rack assembly, structured cabling, wireless infrastructure, WAN fiber connectivity, Starlink systems, and security camera deployments.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and on-site personnel to execute deployments, troubleshoot infrastructure issues, and ensure implementation quality.
• Support network infrastructure for mining operations and curtailment systems, including OT network integrations, smart PDUs, Foreman, utility/RTAC connectivity, and related infrastructure.
• Implement and maintain network monitoring integrations, including SNMP device onboarding into LibreNMS, alert configuration and validation, and troubleshooting.
• Support network automation, configuration management, infrastructure integrations, and continuous operational improvements.
• Maintain the Production Support Lab (PSL) to validate infrastructure changes, test configurations, develop disaster recovery playbooks, and conduct recovery exercises.
• Support Security Operations by implementing, documenting, and validating network security controls and firewall policies; analyzing traffic and threats using FortiAnalyzer; investigating suspicious activity and high-risk vulnerabilities; and collecting technical evidence for security audits.
• Develop and maintain network topology diagrams, configuration baselines, SOPs, MOPs, and deployment standards.
• Follow change management processes, security policies, and implementation standards, including testing, approvals, documentation, and post-deployment validation.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call support, providing technical escalation, incident response, and troubleshooting for critical network outages and service disruptions.
• Travel to support network deployments, infrastructure projects, and site requirements, including regional Midwest visits and occasional air travel.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, bonus, and incentive compensation.
• Discretionary time off, coordinated with the employee's manager.
• Professional development budget with flexibility for personal and professional growth.
• Health insurance for employees, partners, and dependents.
• Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with company contribution.
• Flexible spending programs for medical and dependent care.
• Paid parental leave.
• Overtime pay and other tangible benefits are referenced, but details are not specified.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior