Senior Network Operations Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Network Operations Engineer
- Company: SBA Communications
- Location: Boca Raton, FL Corporate Office
- Job Type: On-site, Full-time
- Category: Network Infrastructure & Operations
- Date Posted: June 27, 2025
🚀 Role Summary
- Primary Responsibility: Design, maintain, and support LAN and WAN infrastructures across the company, ensuring high availability and performance.
- Key Skills: Network operations, routing, switching, firewall management, disaster recovery, and vendor relationship management.
- Experience Level: 10+ years in a relevant role.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in network engineering and administration, with a focus on advanced technologies and vendor management.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
-
Network Infrastructure Management:
- Design, install, maintain, and support LAN and WAN infrastructures.
- Ensure adequate planning for building communications spaces, networks, and media pathways.
- Interface with internal and external customers and vendors to determine infrastructure needs.
-
Vendor Management:
- Manage third-party vendor relationships for call center and network operations.
- Hold vendors accountable for delivering outsourced functions.
-
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity:
- Develop and implement a robust disaster recovery strategy for critical systems and infrastructure.
- Assess single points of failure and recommend actions as appropriate.
-
Technical Expertise:
- Utilize expertise in routing, switching, firewall, and load-balancing using a thorough understanding of IP, routing protocols, switching, and security.
- Work with leadership to develop and execute new initiatives to simplify, standardize, optimize, and automate network designs, tooling, and operations.
-
Cross-functional Collaboration:
- Establish cross-team level relationships and partner with all business disciplines and other teams to define network services, meet service level requirements, and serve as an escalation point for service delivery and operational issues.
- Foster an environment of continuous improvement and structured processes and procedures that support a zero-fault culture.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background, with a focus on advanced network engineering and administration, as well as excellent communication and collaboration skills.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a relevant field.
Experience: Minimum 8 years of directly relevant experience in network operations, infrastructure management, or a similar role.
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of advanced engineering and administration of multiprotocol routers, multilayer switches, network security devices, and network management systems.
- Excellent analytical, problem-management, organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
- Proficient in Cisco routers & switches, Cisco & Fortinet firewalls, Ruckus wireless & switching.
- Strong knowledge of device-level security, ACLs, port-level security, VLANs, VRFs.
- Extensive experience with instrumentation, enterprise monitoring, and reporting tools.
- In-depth knowledge of modern enterprise networking routing protocols such as EIGRP, BGP, and OSPF.
- Strong understanding of voice and data network protocols: Ethernet, R/ARP, LACP, Spanning Tree, VSS, 802.1Q, TCP/IP, IPSEC VPNs, BGP, HSRP, NAT, TACACS+ & RADIUS, MFA, SIP, SNMP/RMON, and RDP.
- Proficient in packet captures, such as Wireshark, TCPDump, and TCP flow tools, such as NetFlow, jFlow, SFlow.
Preferred Skills:
- Networking and firewall certifications (CCNP, CCDP, PCNSE, CCP-N).
- Knowledge of network optimization and performance analysis.
- Familiarity with general-purpose test equipment, including network sniffers and traffic generators.
📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCDP) would be beneficial for this role, as they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and a strong understanding of network technologies.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Case studies demonstrating successful network infrastructure projects, including design, implementation, and maintenance.
- Examples of disaster recovery strategies and business continuity plans.
- Documentation showcasing vendor management and relationship-building skills.
Technical Documentation:
- Network diagrams and schematics illustrating complex network topologies.
- Network configuration files and scripts demonstrating proficiency in network engineering and administration.
- Performance analysis reports and optimization strategies.
📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves managing third-party vendors, including call center and network operations, including examples of vendor management strategies and performance metrics in the portfolio would be beneficial.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Senior Network Operations Engineer in the United States)
Benefits: (Not specified in the job listing)
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with on-call responsibilities as needed.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is not provided in the job listing, based on industry standards for a Senior Network Operations Engineer in the United States, the estimated range is $120,000 - $160,000 per year. The benefits package should include health insurance, retirement plans, and other standard employee benefits.
🎯 Team & Company Context
Company Culture: SBA Communications is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including towers, buildings, rooftops, DAS, and small cells. They operate with a strong sense of integrity, commitment to quality, and a culture of excellence that incorporates working collegially, where every team member can contribute meaningfully and make a difference.
Team Structure: The team consists of network operations engineers, infrastructure managers, and other technical professionals responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and supporting LAN and WAN infrastructures throughout the company.
Development Methodology: The team follows ITIL best practices, including Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management, Capacity Management, Release Management, and Service Level Management.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the development methodology is not explicitly stated, the role's responsibilities suggest a focus on ITIL best practices, which are widely adopted in network operations and infrastructure management.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, with a focus on advanced network engineering and administration, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Network Operations Engineer reports directly to the Director of Network Operations or a similar role.
Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the company's network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance, and security. It also influences vendor relationships and business continuity strategies.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Growth: Expand expertise in emerging network technologies, such as SD-WAN, 5G, and network virtualization.
- Leadership Development: Develop management and leadership skills by mentoring junior team members and taking on more strategic projects.
- Architecture & Design: Gain experience in network architecture and design, contributing to the company's overall network strategy.
📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, there are opportunities for growth in this role, including technical skill development, leadership, and architecture and design.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment with a focus on collaboration and teamwork.
Office Location(s): Boca Raton, FL Corporate Office
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Environment: The workspace encourages cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: The workspace is equipped with the latest network infrastructure, tools, and equipment to support the team's work.
- Flexible Work Arrangement: The role may require on-call responsibilities and flexible scheduling to address network issues and maintain business continuity.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with on-call responsibilities as needed.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the work schedule is not explicitly stated, the role's responsibilities suggest a full-time work arrangement with on-call responsibilities as needed to address network issues and maintain business continuity.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone/Video Screen: A brief phone or video call to discuss the candidate's experience, qualifications, and career goals.
- Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on network engineering and administration skills, including routing, switching, firewall management, and disaster recovery.
- On-site Interview: A face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss the candidate's fit with the team and company culture.
- Final Decision: A final decision is made based on the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's goals.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight successful network infrastructure projects, including design, implementation, and maintenance.
- Showcase disaster recovery strategies and business continuity plans.
- Demonstrate vendor management and relationship-building skills.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on network engineering and administration skills, including routing, switching, firewall management, and disaster recovery.
- Familiarize yourself with the company's network infrastructure and technologies.
- Prepare for questions about network optimization, performance analysis, and capacity planning.
ATS Keywords: (Not specified in the job listing)
📝 Enhancement Note: While the ATS keywords are not specified in the job listing, relevant keywords for this role include network operations, infrastructure management, routing, switching, firewall management, disaster recovery, vendor management, and ITIL best practices.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Network Infrastructure: Cisco routers & switches, Cisco & Fortinet firewalls, Ruckus wireless & switching.
Network Protocols: IP, routing protocols (EIGRP, BGP, OSPF), switching, and security protocols (ACLs, VLANs, VRFs).
Monitoring Tools: Enterprise monitoring and reporting tools (not specified in the job listing).
📝 Enhancement Note: While the monitoring tools are not specified in the job listing, relevant tools for this role include SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix, or other enterprise-grade network monitoring solutions.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Network Operations Values:
- Expertise: Demonstrate a deep understanding of network engineering and administration, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional teams, including IT, business, and vendor partners, to ensure high availability, performance, and security of the network infrastructure.
- Customer Focus: Prioritize the needs of internal and external customers, ensuring that network services meet or exceed their expectations.
- Innovation: Embrace emerging network technologies and best practices, driving continuous improvement in network design, implementation, and management.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Work closely with IT, business, and vendor partners to ensure that network services meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Code Review Culture: Collaborate with team members to review and improve network designs, configurations, and management processes.
- Knowledge Sharing: Share expertise and best practices with team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the collaboration style is not explicitly stated, the role's responsibilities suggest a focus on cross-functional integration, code review culture, and knowledge sharing.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Network Complexity: Design, implement, and maintain complex network topologies, ensuring high availability, performance, and security.
- Vendor Management: Manage third-party vendor relationships, holding them accountable for delivering outsourced functions, specifically call center and network operations.
- Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging network technologies, such as SD-WAN, 5G, and network virtualization, and integrate them into the company's network infrastructure.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: Expand expertise in network engineering and administration, emerging network technologies, and vendor management.
- Leadership Development: Develop management and leadership skills by mentoring junior team members and taking on more strategic projects.
- Architecture & Design: Gain experience in network architecture and design, contributing to the company's overall network strategy.
📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, there are opportunities for growth in this role, including technical skill development, leadership, and architecture and design.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Network Engineering & Administration: Questions focusing on routing, switching, firewall management, and disaster recovery strategies.
- Vendor Management: Questions about managing third-party vendor relationships and holding them accountable for delivering outsourced functions.
- Network Optimization & Performance Analysis: Questions about network optimization, performance analysis, and capacity planning.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Culture: Questions about the company's values, mission, and work environment.
- Team Dynamics: Questions about the network operations team's structure, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing practices.
- Career Growth: Questions about opportunities for professional development, leadership, and architecture and design.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Case Studies: Present case studies demonstrating successful network infrastructure projects, including design, implementation, and maintenance.
- Disaster Recovery Strategies: Showcase disaster recovery strategies and business continuity plans.
- Vendor Management: Demonstrate vendor management and relationship-building skills.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the interview questions and portfolio presentation strategy are not explicitly stated, the role's responsibilities suggest a focus on network engineering and administration, vendor management, and network optimization and performance analysis.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Network Operations Engineer position:
- Submit Application: Submit your application through the application link provided.
- Prepare Portfolio: Highlight successful network infrastructure projects, disaster recovery strategies, and vendor management skills in your portfolio.
- Review Job Description: Thoroughly review the job description, ensuring that your application and portfolio align with the role's requirements and responsibilities.
- Research Company: Conduct research on SBA Communications, their network infrastructure, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should possess a BS in Computer Science or a relevant field, along with a minimum of 8 years of directly relevant experience. Strong knowledge of networking protocols, security, and enterprise architecture is essential.