Network Engineer

Job Title: Network Engineer

Location: On-site in Itasca, IL

Direct Hire/Full Time

Salary $80,000-$90,000/yr

Company Overview: Our client, A global leader in the gifts and home décor industry, is seeking a skilled Network Engineer. They are renowned for their creative, fun, and engaging consumer products, designs, and distribute a wide range of products and serve markets globally in over 50 countries.

Position Summary: We are seeking a skilled Network Engineer responsible for maintaining and administering our company's computer networks and servers. The ideal candidate will ensure the stability and integrity of our network infrastructure, hardware, and software systems, while also collaborating closely with users to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

Technical Duties:

Maintain and administer computer networks and related environments.

Perform disaster recovery operations and data backups as necessary.

Implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.

Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and network issues.

Manage security solutions, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Manage and ensure effectiveness of servers, including e-mail, print, and backup servers, and their associated operating systems and software.

Responsible for on-site and off-site data centers.

Monitor network performance and make adjustments as needed.

Coordinate network access and use.

Design, configure, and test networking software and hardware.

Replace faulty network and system hardware components.

Financial Duties:

Negotiate with vendors and contractors for network products and services.

Participate in CAPEX and OPEX planning.

Prepare RFPs, bid proposals, contracts, scope of work reports, and other documentation for IT projects and associated efforts.

Prepare documentation for IT projects and cost-justification analyses.

Identify cost-saving opportunities while advancing major goals.

Experience Requirements

Knowledge & Experience:

Minimum 5 years of experience in a multi-location WAN / LAN environment.

Proficiency with Cisco, or Meraki.

Strong network security experience; Endpoint, Server, Cloud, Mail, XDR, and Packet Capture.

Extensive knowledge of network infrastructure, including firewalls, routing, switching, and load balancing.

Extensive knowledge of Windows Server with virtualization including VMWare and Hyper-V.

Experience in implementing VoIP systems, including traffic prioritization.

Ability to create accurate network diagrams and documentation.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

LAN and WAN experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Occasional travel required to visit off site locations or to support trade shows.

Light physical effort equal to frequent lifting or moving of lightweight materials.

Regularly required to sit or stand, bend and reach, use hands to handle objects, tools or controls, climb ladders, and move fixtures.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.