Title: Sr. Network Engineer
Location:  4666 E FARIES PKWY, Decatur, ILLINOIS, USA, 62526-5630
Contract length: 6 month
Schedule: Normal Business Hours
Pay: 50-60 per hour

POSITION SUMMARY 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Wireless Network Engineer to join our IT Infrastructure team. In this role, you will be responsible for the architecture, design, deployment, and ongoing optimization of enterprise-grade wireless and wide-area network solutions across corporate and manufacturing environments. You will work closely with the Network Manager and cross-functional technology teams to ensure reliable, scalable, and secure wireless connectivity -- including Cisco Meraki, LTE, and Starlink technologies -- across all sites. 

This position requires deep technical expertise in RF engineering, manufacturing radio networks, and modern wireless infrastructure, with a passion for automation, monitoring integration, and continuous improvement. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Network Architecture & Design 

• Lead end-to-end architecture, design, and lifecycle management of enterprise wireless networks across campus, branch, and manufacturing environments. 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design documentation including RF site surveys, heat maps, capacity planning models, and topology diagrams. 

• Architect and implement solutions using Cisco Meraki, LTE, and Starlink technologies to provide resilient, high-availability connectivity. 

• Evaluate and recommend new wireless technologies, platforms, and standards to meet current and future business requirements. 

• Design network segmentation, VLAN structures, QoS policies, and security frameworks aligned with enterprise best practices. 

RF Engineering 

• Conduct RF site surveys, spectrum analysis, and interference assessments in complex environments including manufacturing floors and warehouses. 

• Develop RF propagation models and design wireless deployments that meet performance, coverage, and capacity targets. 

• Produce and maintain detailed RF reporting deliverables including coverage analysis, interference reports, and post-deployment validation documentation. 

• Troubleshoot complex RF issues such as co-channel interference, multi-path fading, and signal degradation in industrial environments. 

Manufacturing Radio Networks 

• Design and support dedicated radio networks for manufacturing operations, including integration with industrial control systems, barcode scanners, AGVs, and IoT devices. 

• Ensure wireless infrastructure meets the stringent uptime and reliability requirements of production environments. 

• Collaborate with OT/ICS teams to align wireless standards with operational technology needs and safety requirements. 

Operations & Monitoring 

• Manage and optimize wireless infrastructure using SolarWinds for network performance monitoring, alerting, and reporting. 

• Leverage Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) for network automation, policy management, and assurance. 

• Integrate Microsoft Intune for wireless device management, policy enforcement, and compliance reporting. 

• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting frameworks to provide visibility into network health, utilization, and performance trends. 

• Lead incident response and root cause analysis for wireless-related outages and performance degradations. 

Automation & API Integration  (Nice to Have) 

• Develop Python-based automation scripts and tools leveraging REST APIs from Cisco DNAC, SolarWinds, and Microsoft Intune. 

• Automate network provisioning, configuration management, alerting workflows, and reporting processes. 

• Contribute to infrastructure-as-code initiatives and integrate wireless management into DevOps pipelines where applicable. 

Collaboration & Leadership 

• Partner with the Network Manager on strategic roadmap planning, budget forecasting, and technology investment decisions. 

• Serve as subject matter expert and escalation point for wireless and RF networking issues. 

• Mentor junior network engineers and provide knowledge transfer across the team. 

• Engage with vendors, ISPs, and technology partners to evaluate solutions, manage contracts, and drive resolution of technical issues. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and professional experience. 

Experience 

• 7+ years of experience in wireless network architecture and design, including enterprise-scale deployments of Cisco Meraki, LTE, and Starlink solutions. 

• 7+ years of experience producing professional RF reporting artifacts including site survey reports, coverage maps, and interference analysis documentation. 

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Cisco networking platforms (switching, routing, and wireless infrastructure). 

• 5+ years of dedicated RF engineering experience, including spectrum analysis, antenna design, and wireless troubleshooting in complex environments. 

• 5+ years of experience designing and supporting manufacturing radio networks, including industrial wireless environments with AGVs, RFID, and IoT endpoints. 

Technical Skills 

• Deep knowledge of wireless standards: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E), LTE/4G/5G, and satellite connectivity (Starlink). 

• Proficiency with RF design and survey tools (e.g., Ekahau, iBwave, AirMagnet). 

• Strong understanding of network protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VLANs, STP, and QoS. 

• Experience with SolarWinds for network performance monitoring and management. 

• Familiarity with Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) for policy-based automation and network assurance. 

• Experience with Microsoft Intune for wireless endpoint and device policy management. 

• Solid understanding of wireless security standards: WPA3, 802.1X, EAP methods, RADIUS/AAA, and Zero Trust principles. 

 NICE TO HAVE 

Cisco Wireless Certifications -- one or more of the following: 

• Cisco Certified Network Professional - Enterprise (CCNP Enterprise) with Wireless concentration 

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Wireless Design 

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Wireless Implementation 

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) - Enterprise Infrastructure (Wireless) 

• Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist 

API Integration Using Python -- experience with: 

• Cisco DNAC REST API -- automation of provisioning, policy, and assurance workflows. 

• SolarWinds REST API -- custom alerting, reporting, and integration with ITSM tools. 

• Microsoft Intune / Graph API -- device management automation, compliance reporting, and policy deployment. 

Additional Nice-to-Haves 

• Experience with version control (Git) and scripting best practices for network automation. 

• Familiarity with Ansible, Terraform, or similar infrastructure automation tools in a network context. 

• Knowledge of ITIL framework and experience working within a formal change management process. 

• Experience with cloud-managed networking platforms and SD-WAN solutions. 

CORE COMPETENCIES 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Primarily office-based with regular visits to manufacturing facilities, warehouse environments, and remote/branch sites. 

• May require physical installation activities including working at height, in confined spaces, or in industrial environments. 

• Occasional domestic and/or international travel to remote sites as business needs require. 

• Availability for on-call support and after-hours maintenance windows as required. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience. 

• Annual performance bonus. 

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 

• 401(k) with company match. 

• Generous PTO and paid holidays. 

• Professional development budget including support for certifications and training. 

• Flexible / hybrid work arrangements where applicable.