Senior Network Engineer

Platte River Power Authority•Fort Collins, CO

About The Position

The Senior Network Engineer leads the design, deployment, implementation, and lifecycle management of complex network infrastructure. The role oversees network architecture, configuration, optimization, maintenance, monitoring, patching, vulnerability management, and documentation to support reliable and high-performing systems. It contributes to infrastructure strategy, resolves complex technical issues, provides expert troubleshooting, and promotes network best practices. The engineer provides advanced support across IT environments and mentors lower-level engineers. The role collaborates with project management, stakeholders, application teams, the service desk, cybersecurity, vendors, and Information Governance to scope and deliver infrastructure projects, maintain standards and retention processes, and support change management. It designs, deploys, and manages LAN, WAN, WLAN, wireless, VPN, and data center networks, including routing, switching, segmentation, firewalls, and advanced availability and routing features. The position also supports network security controls and Tier 3 incident resolution, including root-cause analysis and corrective action planning. The position is primarily in a general office environment with routine office noise and equipment. Work is primarily sedentary and involves minimal physical effort, with occasional lifting or carrying of light objects and minimal walking or standing. The role may require occasional evening, weekend, after-hours, and on-call work for scheduled or unscheduled events. Salary range is $124,820–$180,991 annually, with a hiring range of $124,820–$152,906; salaries are paid biweekly.

Requirements

Six to seven years of experience as a systems engineer or equivalent in an enterprise computing environment.
Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, computer science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; relevant experience may substitute for education.
Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy.
Advanced understanding of OSI or TCP/IP networking models.
Ability to design, implement, and support enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, and data center networks.
Experience or knowledge of data center technologies including VXLAN, BGP, and OSPF.
Comprehensive understanding of IP address management, DHCP, and DNS.
Advanced understanding of monitoring and logging tools, wireless networking and management technologies, firewalls, ACLs, VPNs, WAN, and routing technologies.
Ability to implement and maintain network security controls and collaborate with cybersecurity teams on security standards and policies.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver quality work in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, active listening, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Willingness to learn new technologies and obtain and maintain required technical certifications.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, maintain a positive attitude, and collaborate to provide a high level of customer service.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequent interruptions.
Ability to work occasionally evenings, weekends, after hours, and on-call for scheduled and unscheduled events.
Intermediate troubleshooting skills in assigned areas and basic troubleshooting skills in other areas.
Subject matter expertise in at least one assignment area.
Experience using Visio or similar tools to create diagrams and documentation.
Minimal physical effort; primarily sedentary work, with occasional lifting and carrying of light objects and minimal walking or standing.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in computer information systems, computer science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Palo Alto, or Cisco, such as CompTIA Server+.

Responsibilities

Model the organization’s mission, vision, values, and culture.
Provide advanced infrastructure and networking support, resolve complex incidents, and mentor lower-level system engineers.
Design, implement, and deploy complex IT systems in alignment with project objectives and industry best practices.
Collaborate with project management, stakeholders, applications, service desk, and cybersecurity teams on project scope, low-level design, and standards documentation.
Ensure systems are properly configured and proactively monitored; help maintain monitoring tools.
Manage system maintenance and patching, including researching, documenting, and communicating changes, handling change tickets, and implementing patches.
Analyze, troubleshoot, and debug systems to ensure performance and reliability; recommend tools and participate in vendor evaluations.
Collaborate with the team and vendors on industry trends and emerging technologies, and recommend appropriate integrations.
Develop low-level designs and network diagrams and support project integrations and innovative deployments.
Work with Information Governance to develop and follow retention policies and processes; adhere to and contribute to change management procedures.
Deploy and manage LAN, WAN, WLAN, wireless, VPN, and data center network infrastructure and equipment.
Implement routing, switching, wireless, and network segmentation strategies, including high availability, wide-area routing, route redistribution, and link aggregation.
Manage routers and firewalls, and assist in defining and implementing complex firewall rules and ACLs.
Deploy and configure wireless network management and monitoring technologies.
Develop and test network device hardening standards and processes.
Develop scalable network solutions aligned with business objectives and technology roadmaps; lead network modernization, upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure refresh projects.
Provide Tier 3 support for complex network issues and outages, conduct root-cause analysis, and develop corrective action plans.
Implement and maintain network security controls, including next-generation firewalls, network segmentation, NAC solutions, and VPN services.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support compliance with security standards and policies.
Lead technical aspects of infrastructure projects, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality work within deadlines.
Continue developing technical skills through training and collaboration; demonstrate safe work practices and comply with safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.