Senior Network Engineer Enterprise & Service Provider Networks

Michael Oats

RESUME

**** ***** ***** ****** ******, Colorado 80013

Email: **********@*****.***. Phone 720-***-****

Professional Summary

Senior Network Engineer with 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and operating large-scale enterprise and service-provider networks, with proven expertise in LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, VoIP, and hybrid cloud architectures (Public, Private, Hybrid). Skilled in delivering high-availability network solutions across global environments, including multi-site migrations, cutovers, and remote site connectivity. Strong technical leader experienced in vendor/SLA management, root cause analysis, and mentoring engineers, while driving standardized designs, operational excellence, and CI/CD-based automation workflows. Deep knowledge of BGP, Layers 2/Layers 3 architecture, QoS, VPN, and application performance troubleshooting. Adept at creating and maintaining network documentation, training materials, and SOPs to support teams and operational consistency. Proven skill to research, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies to improve network performance, security, and scalability.

Core Competencies

Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Meraki, SD-WAN, VPN, Firewalls, ZTNA/SASE

LAN/WAN Architecture, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, QoS, High Availability

Public, Private, Hybrid Cloud Networking & Connectivity

Network Monitoring, Performance Analysis, Incident Management

Documentation, MOP Development, Training, Mentorship

VoIP, Wireless, and Application Performance Optimization

Vendor Coordination & SLA Management

Automation & CI/CD for Network Operations

Black Hills Energy – Senior Network Operations Engineer

Rapid City, SD 4/2025 – 8/2025

Designed and executed hybrid network infrastructure changes across operational energy sites, applying security-by-design principles and minimizing customer and operational downtime.

Managed infrastructure upgrades and device replacements for compute, storage, and network systems in energy-sector data centers and substations.

Served as the primary technical escalation lead for Colorado region, collaborating with engineering, operations, and vendor teams to resolve complex L2/L3, transport, and system integration issues.

Coordinated with network service providers and vendors to resolve outages and ensure SLA compliance.

Johnson Controls (JCI) – Network Engineer (Contract)

Aurora, CO 6/2024 – 11/2024

Designed, architected, and validated new site networks supporting global building automation systems.

Provided Tier2 and Tier3 support across hybrid infrastructure environments, resolving complex routing, switching, and wireless issues.

Worked with cross-functional engineering teams to define requirements and deliver scalable networking solutions.

Managed incidents through ServiceNow, contributing to strong change control and operational readiness.

DB Schenker – Network Engineer/Architect

Lakewood, CO 6/2019 – 6/2024

Key technical lead for a global SD-WAN transformation across 300+ remote sites, leading architecture, design validation, feasibility testing, carrier coordination, staged cutovers, and production implementation using Cisco and Meraki platforms.

Coordinated with network service providers and vendors to ensure timely resolution of outages and compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).

Oversaw activities of network and telecommunications vendors to ensure service level agreements (SLAs) were met and network performance remained optimal.

Designed multi-site network architectures and integrated compute/storage and security services within large-scale logistic environments.

Built Python-based CI/CD automation and validation workflows to support standardized remote-site deployments, configuration verification, and network lifecycle operations.

Maintained hybrid data center networks (Cisco ACI, campus, wireless, VoIP), providing deep L2/L3 troubleshooting, traffic engineering, and long-term capacity planning.

Create and maintain technical and training documentation for the function.

Quantum – Network Engineer

Englewood, CO 5/2018 – 11/2018

Designed network configurations, standards, and validation frameworks for enterprise networks and data center environments.

Led outage troubleshooting and performance optimization across hybrid networking systems.

Participated in a complete facility relocation and co-lo data center migration, ensuring continuity of compute, storage, and network services.

BI Incorporated – Network Engineer

Boulder, CO 1/2018 – 5/2018

Configured and integrated routers, switches, firewalls, VPN, load balancers, and SAN technologies supporting hybrid enterprise environments.

Conducted system upgrades, patching, and hardening with emphasis on security-first design.

Performed L2/L3 troubleshooting and capacity monitoring to maintain service reliability.

Charter Communications – Network Engineer (Contract)

Englewood, CO 9/2017 – 12/2017

Developed & executed production-level network test cases, validation plans, and failure simulations.

Verified service quality across carrier-grade environments and emerging transport technologies.

Collaborated with engineering teams to define root cause and corrective actions for large-scale network issues.

Comcast Universal – Engineer II (Contract)

Englewood, CO 5/2017 – 9/2017

Supported commercial DOCSIS and Metro Ethernet networks, resolving advanced CPE and routing/switching issues.

Ensured accuracy of test-and-turn-up activities for large customer deployments.

Remote support for field engineer Comcast Business class installations.

Support complex network and connectivity issues.

State of Colorado – Network Administrator II

Denver, CO 3/2012 – 4/2017

Designed and managed statewide enterprise network architecture across multi-agency environments (DOR, DNR, DOLA).

Performed BGP peering turn-ups, routing cutovers, and backbone upgrades with thorough validation plans.

Maintained hybrid compute and network systems using SolarWinds Orion for capacity, performance, and health monitoring.

Supported Cisco Call Manager, Unity, and enterprise voice services.

Supported Data Center deployments, site and migration move.

Engineered and supported hybrid campus and data center networks, providing L2/L3 and L4 troubleshooting, application performance analysis, traffic engineering, and capacity planning for large-scale remote and enterprise environments.

Monitored network performance and availability and reported trends to leadership.

CenturyLink – Tier II VOIP Remote Repair Technician

Littleton, CO 5/2011 – 8/2012

Monitored and validated MPLS, T1/T3, and enterprise transport circuits across Midwest region networks.

Provided advanced VOIP routing and signaling troubleshooting for enterprise customers.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

AAS – Computer Network Technology

Westwood College – Denver, CO

Cisco Academy – Route/Switch Program

Certifications:

CCNA (Route& Switch)

ATSA / Internetworking Expert

Zscaler ZPA Certified

Meraki Specialist (In Progress)

VMware VCP (in progress)

CCNP ENCORE (in progress)

TECHNICAL SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Networking & Routing:

BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, HSRP/VRRP, QoS, MPLS, TCP/UDP, VLANs, LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, Metro Ethernet, GPON/EPON, VPN, VoIP

Hardware / Platforms:

Cisco Catalyst/Nexus, Meraki MX/MS/MR, Juniper MX/SRX/EX, Palo Alto / Panorama, ADTRAN, HPE/HP Networking

Cloud & Virtualization:

Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud Networking (AWS, Azure), VMware, Hyper-V, container networking fundamentals

Monitoring / Automation / Tools:

SolarWinds, ServiceNow, Remedy, Python, Git, CI/CD pipelines, NetFlow, packet captures, IDS/IPS, network performance monitoring

State Of Colorado OIT Colorado State Network State-Wide Refresh 2012-2015 Led a multi-year statewide Project Colorado Network Upgrade, coordinating after-hours work across all Department of Revenue offices, including Driver’s License and Motor Vehicle agencies. Managed physical hardware removal and migrated from legacy networking equipment to Cisco Catalyst routers, including BGP configuration changes and bridge calls with ISPs and the DOR Security team. Successfully modernized the state’s network infrastructure, improving performance, reliability, and security while ensuring compliance with statewide SLA requirements.

DBSCHENKER – SD-WAN Upgrade & Americas Region Migration 2022-2024

Participated in a multi-site SD-WAN migration across all Americas locations, upgrading three hundred sites from legacy Cisco Catalyst to Meraki MS, MX, and MR hardware. Collaborated with Architects and Design teams on hardware placement, redundancy optimization, and co-location planning for the Core site. Led on-site hardware moves, cabling, and connectivity at the co-location facility while coordinating bridge calls with ISPs and reporting progress to upper management. Leveraged automation in a Git environment to remotely configure devices and streamline deployment. Oversaw the migration of the on-premises data center to a co-location facility, ensuring seamless integration with a Nexus 9k underlay. Successfully upgraded the entire Americas region to Meraki, optimizing network performance, reliability, and scalability.

Contact this candidate