Sr. Network Systems Engineer

Employment Type: Salaried
Work Designation: Hybrid 

Position Summary:

The purpose of the Network Systems Engineer, Sr. position is to design, implement, and maintain Ventura Foods’ complex network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance across multiple locations. This role requires advanced expertise in network architecture, security protocols, and access controls to support the organization’s business operations effectively. The Sr. Engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional IT teams, providing guidance on network resilience strategies, troubleshooting critical issues, and executing strategic projects, including IT/OT integration, SD-WAN, and Zero Trust initiatives. Through proactive network monitoring, performance tuning, and security enforcement, this role supports Ventura Foods' commitment to robust, secure, and scalable network solutions that drive business continuity and growth.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Network Design & Implementation: Develop and deploy LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and SASE solutions to ensure connectivity across Ventura Foods locations. Implement Zero Trust Architecture and Cisco ISE for secure access and continuous verification.
• Maintenance & Optimization: Monitor, maintain, and optimize network systems using SolarWinds and Infoblox. Review and upgrade Cisco Catalyst, Nexus switches, and Palo Alto firewalls to align with best practices.
• Troubleshooting & Support: Act as an escalation point for complex network issues, ensuring quick diagnostics and resolutions to minimize downtime. Collaborate with teams for efficient problem-solving.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed network documentation, including configurations, SOPs, and DR plans. Generate reports on network performance, security posture, and project updates for stakeholders.
• Project Management & Collaboration: Lead projects like IT/OT integration, SD-WAN deployment, and cloud connectivity. Collaborate with IT teams (Security, Compliance, DevOps) to ensure project alignment with strategic goals.
• Technology Evaluation & Improvement: Research and recommend new networking technologies to enhance performance and security. Implement process optimizations for increased resilience.
• Security & Compliance: Manage security measures on network devices, ensuring policy and regulation compliance. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and risk analyses.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Develop and execute DR strategies to enable rapid restoration during disruptions. Conduct failover simulations and scenario planning to validate business continuity.
• Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with network hardware and services vendors. Act as a key contact for stakeholders, providing insights to meet operational needs.

Education and Experience:

• 7+ years prior experience as listed in Primary Technical Skills required.
• The successful candidate must be willing to travel up to 35% of the time for this role.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.
• Must be an effective communicator and willing to work in a team (hands on approach).
• Experience planning and executing network resilience strategies, including Zero Trust and adaptive security preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• BC/DR Expertise: Develop and test business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• ITSM Standards & Documentation: Proficient in ITIL practices and strong documentation skills.
• Resilience Planning: Conduct regular disaster recovery and continuity tests.
• Network Security: Proficient in Cisco ISE, Zero Trust Architecture, and Palo Alto firewalls.
• Cloud & Hybrid Networking: Experienced in SD-WAN and secure cloud connectivity.
• Monitoring & Management: Skilled in Infoblox and SolarWinds Orion.
• Wireless Networking: Hands-on experience with Ruckus SmartZone.
• Routing & Switching: Expertise in Cisco Catalyst, Nexus switches, and Layer 3 routing protocols.