Senior Network Engineer Lead
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Network Engineer Lead
- Company: TEKsystems
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Job Type: Hybrid
- Category: Network Engineering
- Date Posted: June 26, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Role Summary
- Lead 24/7 technical operations and incident management for enterprise network organization
- Troubleshoot complex network issues and perform root cause analysis
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and platform engineering to align network operations with development
- Create technical documentation and automation workflows to enhance network efficiency
- Provide training, mentorship, and after-hours support as needed
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a high level of technical expertise and leadership skills to manage network operations and incident response for a large enterprise network.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Incident Management: Lead major incident support efforts, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure timely resolution and communication during critical network incidents.
- Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex network issues escalated from Tier-1 and Tier-2 support teams, and perform post-mortem analysis to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions.
- Network Operations: Maintain current knowledge of hardware, software, and network technology, and recommend modifications as required. Engage with platform engineering teams to align network operations with platform development and enhancements.
- Documentation: Create technical documentation in accordance with change control and project management processes and procedures.
- Automation: Work with developers to create automation workflows that enhance network operations and efficiency.
- Training & Mentorship: Provide training and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- On-Call Support: Provide after-hours and on-call support as needed.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a significant amount of on-call responsibilities and requires strong communication skills to effectively manage incidents and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science or a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, work, and/or military experience.
Experience: 8+ years of experience in troubleshooting complex network technologies, with a focus on the following protocols and functions: IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S, VLANs, MPLS, IPSEC, DMVPN, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VRF, VxLAN, EVPN, VRRP, MLAG, VPC, STP, Anycast, IPSEC, SSL, TLS.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in designing, deploying, and maintaining highly available underlay and overlay networking and security constructs (EVPN, VxLAN, SD-WAN, VMWare NSX)
- Strong knowledge of campus networks, including wired and wireless, Cisco Catalyst, Cisco DNA, Cisco ISE, and SASE architectures
- Proficiency in network management protocols such as SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS/802.1x
- Excellent communication skills (written/verbal) to articulate complicated network designs to management and business partners
Preferred Skills:
- 4+ years of experience in automating network and/or security deployments and functions in a multi-tenant/multi-data-center environment using coding/scripting languages (Python, Ansible, PowerShell, etc.)
- Experience deploying and maintaining large-scale L2 and L3 data center networks
- Familiarity with Cisco (IOS & NXOS), Arista (EOS), F5 (Big-IP), Palo Alto (PanOS), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Ansible, AWX, AAP, and cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Experience with UNIX/Linux and technical certifications such as Cisco CCNP-Enterprise or Datacenter, CCIE, Palo Alto PCCSA, PCNS, PCNSE, or F5
- Previous banking/financial industry experience is a plus
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with a strong background in network engineering, incident management, and automation will be well-suited for this role. Familiarity with cloud platforms and emerging technologies is also beneficial.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
- Portfolio Essentials: A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating experience in network engineering, incident management, and automation. Include case studies showcasing successful incident resolution, network optimization, and automation projects.
- Technical Documentation: Provide examples of technical documentation created for network operations, including incident reports, post-mortem analyses, and network design documents.
- Automation & Scripting: Include examples of automation workflows and scripts used to enhance network operations and efficiency. Highlight any scripting languages used and the impact of the automation on network performance.
📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on network engineering and incident management, a strong portfolio demonstrating technical expertise and problem-solving skills is essential. Include any relevant certifications and industry-specific projects to showcase your qualifications.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $50.00 - $70.00/hr
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range for this role is competitive and in line with industry standards for senior network engineering positions. The benefits package is comprehensive and includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as retirement and life insurance options.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Information Technology and Services
Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees)
Founded: 1985
Team Structure:
- The network engineering team consists of multiple levels, including junior, mid-level, and senior engineers, as well as team leads and managers.
- The team works closely with platform engineering, development, and operations teams to ensure network services align with business needs.
- The organization values collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation.
Development Methodology:
- The team follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and regular communication.
- Network operations are supported by a combination of on-site and remote team members, with regular team meetings and stand-ups to ensure alignment and progress.
Company Website: TEKsystems
📝 Enhancement Note: TEKsystems is a large IT services and staffing firm that focuses on providing technology solutions and talent to clients across various industries. The company values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, making it an ideal fit for network engineering professionals looking to grow their careers in a dynamic environment.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Network Engineering Career Level: Senior Network Engineer Lead
- Responsible for leading network operations and incident management for the enterprise network organization
- Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level network engineers
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams and platform engineering to align network operations with development and business needs
- Drives continuous improvement and optimization of network services and performance
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Network Operations Manager or a similar role within the organization
Technical Impact: Leads network incident management and resolution, ensuring high availability and performance of network services. Drives network optimization and automation initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Leadership: With experience and proven performance, senior network engineers may advance to roles such as network architect, network manager, or director of network engineering.
- Technical Specialization: Network engineers may choose to specialize in specific areas, such as data center networking, cloud networking, or network security, and pursue roles such as senior data center network engineer, senior cloud network engineer, or senior network security engineer.
- Mentorship & Training: Senior network engineers have the opportunity to mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization.
📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior network engineer lead, there are several growth opportunities available, including technical leadership roles, technical specialization, and mentorship and training opportunities. The organization values continuous learning and development, providing ample opportunities for network engineering professionals to advance their careers.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid office environment with a combination of on-site and remote work options
Office Location(s): Columbus, OH
Workspace Context:
- The network engineering team works in a collaborative environment, with open communication and regular team meetings to ensure alignment and progress.
- Team members have access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs effectively, including multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools.
- The team works closely with other departments, such as development, operations, and IT, to ensure network services align with business needs and user expectations.
Work Schedule: Flexible work schedule with regular business hours and on-call responsibilities for incident management and resolution.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at TEKsystems provides network engineering professionals with the flexibility to balance on-site collaboration and remote work. The organization values a collaborative and inclusive work culture, with a focus on continuous learning and development.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your background, experience, and career goals. This is an opportunity for the hiring manager to assess your cultural fit and technical qualifications.
- Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment to evaluate your network engineering skills, including troubleshooting, network design, and automation. This may include live coding or configuration exercises.
- On-Site Interview: An on-site interview with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss your technical assessment, answer any questions you may have, and assess your cultural fit within the organization.
- Final Evaluation: A final evaluation by the hiring manager and other stakeholders to determine your fit for the role and the organization.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience in network engineering, incident management, and automation.
- Include case studies and success stories demonstrating your ability to troubleshoot complex network issues, optimize network performance, and drive automation initiatives.
- Showcase your technical documentation and scripting skills, including examples of network design documents, incident reports, and automation workflows.
- Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and provide mentorship and training to junior team members.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your network engineering fundamentals, including protocols, network design principles, and troubleshooting techniques.
- Familiarize yourself with the latest network technologies and trends, including cloud networking, software-defined networking (SDN), and network function virtualization (NFV).
- Prepare for live coding or configuration exercises by practicing common network engineering tasks, such as network configuration, troubleshooting, and automation scripting.
ATS Keywords: Network Engineering, Incident Management, Network Operations, Network Design, Automation, Cloud Networking, SDN, NFV, Troubleshooting, Collaboration, Mentorship, Technical Documentation, Scripting, Network Protocols, Network Technologies
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for the senior network engineer lead role at TEKsystems is comprehensive and designed to assess your technical skills, cultural fit, and leadership potential. By preparing thoroughly and highlighting your relevant experience and accomplishments, you can demonstrate your qualifications for the role and increase your chances of success.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Network Technologies:
- Cisco Routers (IOS & NXOS)
- Cisco Switches (Catalyst, Nexus)
- Arista Switches (EOS)
- F5 Load Balancers (Big-IP)
- Palo Alto Firewalls (PanOS)
- VMWare NSX
- AWS, GCP, or Azure cloud platforms
- UNIX/Linux operating systems
Network Protocols & Functions:
- IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S
- VLANs, MPLS, IPSEC, DMVPN, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VRF, VxLAN, EVPN, VRRP, MLAG, VPC, STP, Anycast, IPSEC, SSL, TLS
- SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS/802.1x
Automation & Scripting Tools:
- Ansible, AWX, AAP
- Python, PowerShell
- Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes
Monitoring & Management Tools:
- SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix
- Prometheus, Grafana
- Datadog, New Relic
📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for the senior network engineer lead role at TEKsystems is comprehensive and includes a wide range of network technologies, protocols, and functions. Familiarity with these technologies and a strong background in network engineering are essential for success in this role.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Network Engineering Values:
- Technical Expertise: A strong commitment to continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest network technologies, trends, and best practices.
- Collaboration: A focus on working closely with cross-functional teams, including development, operations, and IT, to ensure network services align with business needs and user expectations.
- Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying and resolving network issues, with a strong commitment to troubleshooting, optimization, and automation.
- Mentorship: A dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the network engineering team, with a focus on providing guidance, support, and training to junior team members.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with development, operations, and IT teams to ensure network services align with business needs and user expectations.
- Code Review Culture: Regular code reviews and peer programming to ensure high-quality network design, configuration, and automation.
- Knowledge Sharing: A culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, with regular team meetings, training sessions, and brown bag presentations.
📝 Enhancement Note: The network engineering team at TEKsystems values technical expertise, collaboration, problem-solving, and mentorship. By embracing these values and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, network engineering professionals can thrive in this dynamic and inclusive work environment.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Incident Management: Managing major network incidents and ensuring timely resolution and communication, often under high-pressure situations.
- Network Optimization: Identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks, optimizing network configuration, and implementing automation workflows to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
- Cloud Migration: Migrating on-premises network services to cloud-based infrastructure, including the design, deployment, and management of cloud-based network services.
- Security: Implementing and managing network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection, and access control, to protect network services and data from unauthorized access and malicious attacks.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Training: Attend industry conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest network technologies, trends, and best practices.
- Certification: Pursue relevant certifications, such as Cisco CCNP-Enterprise or Datacenter, CCIE, Palo Alto PCCSA, PCNS, PCNSE, or F5, to demonstrate your technical expertise and commitment to continuous learning.
- Mentorship: Seek mentorship opportunities from experienced network engineering professionals to gain insights into industry trends, best practices, and career development strategies.
📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior network engineer lead, you will face various technical challenges and growth opportunities. By embracing these challenges and pursuing continuous learning and development, you can drive network performance, optimize network services, and advance your career in the dynamic and inclusive work environment at TEKsystems.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Network Protocols & Functions: Describe the function of a specific network protocol or function, such as BGP, OSPF, or VLAN, and explain its role in network communication and routing.
- Network Design: Walk through a network design case study, explaining your approach to network architecture, topology, and service provisioning.
- Troubleshooting: Describe your process for troubleshooting a complex network issue, including your diagnostic tools, techniques, and resolution strategies.
- Automation: Explain your experience with network automation and provide examples of automation workflows you have created to enhance network operations and efficiency.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Culture: Describe your understanding of TEKsystems' company culture and how your personal values align with the organization's mission and goals.
- Team Dynamics: Explain how you would foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, with a focus on continuous learning and development.
- Incident Management: Describe your approach to managing major network incidents, including your communication strategies, escalation procedures, and post-mortem analysis processes.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Technical Documentation: Highlight your technical documentation and scripting skills, including examples of network design documents, incident reports, and automation workflows.
- Case Studies: Present case studies and success stories demonstrating your ability to troubleshoot complex network issues, optimize network performance, and drive automation initiatives.
- Live Demo: Provide a live demo of your technical skills, including network configuration, troubleshooting, and automation scripting.
📝 Enhancement Note: By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your technical skills, relevant experience, and cultural fit, you can demonstrate your qualifications for the senior network engineer lead role at TEKsystems and increase your chances of success in the interview process.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this senior network engineer lead position at TEKsystems:
- Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in network engineering, incident management, and automation.
- Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio showcasing your technical expertise, including case studies, success stories, technical documentation, and live demos.
- Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with TEKsystems' company culture, mission, and values, and prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process.
- Practice Technical Interview Questions: Brush up on your network engineering fundamentals, prepare for live coding or configuration exercises, and practice common troubleshooting and design scenarios.
- Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Reflect on your past experiences, accomplishments, and challenges, and prepare concise and compelling responses to behavioral interview questions.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in computer science or a relevant field and at least 8 years of experience in troubleshooting complex network technologies. Preferred qualifications include experience in automating network deployments and familiarity with cloud platforms.