Senior Network Engineer

Platte River Power Authority•Fort Collins, CO

2d•$124,820 - $180,991

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, system updates and patching, vulnerability management, monitoring, and documentation. It identifies and resolves complex technical issues, performs system assessments, and implements durable solutions to maintain reliability and performance. The engineer contributes to long-term infrastructure strategy, provides expert-level troubleshooting, and promotes best practices. The position provides advanced support for enterprise IT environments and network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, WLAN, VPN, data center networks, routers, firewalls, and network equipment. It designs and deploys routing, switching, wireless, segmentation, high availability, wide-area routing, route redistribution, and link aggregation solutions. The engineer also supports network security controls, device hardening, monitoring and logging, change management, and project delivery, while collaborating with stakeholders, vendors, project management, service desk, and cybersecurity teams. The role serves as a technical mentor to junior engineers and may involve occasional evening, weekend, after-hours, and on-call work. The position is primarily sedentary in a general office environment with routine office noise and equipment. Physical effort is minimal, though occasional lifting and carrying of light objects and minimal walking or standing may be required. Salary is bi-weekly and annualized: the full range is $124,820–$180,991, with a hiring range of $124,820–$152,906. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, education, and certifications.

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.
Experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, and data center networks.
Understanding 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 develop scalable network solutions aligned with business objectives and technology roadmaps.
Ability to provide Tier 3 support for complex network issues and outages and follow through with root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
Ability to implement and maintain network security controls and collaborate with cybersecurity teams on standards and policies.
Ability to deliver reliable and secure IT solutions with a high level of customer service.
Clear, accurate, professional written communication; ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and actively listen.
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 high-quality 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 areas of assignment and basic troubleshooting skills in other areas.
Subject-matter expertise in at least one area of assignment.
Experience using Visio or similar tools for diagrams and documentation.
Ability to collaborate effectively across functions, mentor junior engineers, and deliver work in a fast-paced environment.
Must be legally eligible to work in the United States; the employer cannot sponsor applicants who require sponsorship now or in the future.

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 and implement 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 designs, standards, and documentation.
Ensure systems are configured and monitored appropriately; maintain monitoring tools.
Manage maintenance and patching, including researching, documenting, and communicating changes, processing change tickets, and implementing patches.
Analyze, troubleshoot, and debug systems to maintain performance and reliability.
Recommend tools and participate in vendor evaluations and selection of third-party tools and components.
Collaborate with the team and vendors on industry trends and emerging technologies, and recommend their integration.
Create low-level designs and network diagrams and support new project integrations and deployments.
Collaborate with Information Governance to develop and follow retention policies and processes.
Follow and contribute to change management processes and procedures.
Deploy and implement LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data center network infrastructure.
Implement routing, switching, wireless, and network segmentation strategies.
Install, configure, test, and manage network equipment across the organization.
Deploy advanced networking capabilities, including high availability, wide-area routing, route redistribution, and link aggregation.
Manage and maintain routers and firewalls; assist with complex firewall rules and access control lists.
Deploy and configure wireless networking management and monitoring technologies.
Develop and test device hardening standards and processes.
Implement and maintain network security controls, including next-generation firewalls, network segmentation, network access control solutions, and VPN services.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support compliance with security standards and policies.
Provide Tier 3 support for complex network issues and outages, conduct root cause analysis, and develop corrective action plans.
Lead technical aspects of infrastructure projects and network modernization, upgrades, migrations, and infrastructure refreshes.
Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within established deadlines.
Continuously develop skills through training and collaboration with experienced systems engineers.
Demonstrate safe work practices and comply with established safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health insurance options, including PPO and high-deductible health savings account plans with prescription drug coverage
Telemedicine
Benefit advocacy
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending plan
Basic life insurance
Basic accidental death and disability coverage
Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options
Voluntary accidental death and disability insurance
Long-term disability insurance
401a defined contribution retirement plan
457b deferred compensation plan
12 paid holidays annually
Paid personal and sick leave
Wellness program
In-house training opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program
Onsite, fully equipped gym facilities
Fleet cars for local business travel
Employee rewards, health, and financial wellness programs
Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events
Competitive pay