Role Description The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining a secure, scalable network infrastructure that supports Hood Container's manufacturing operations and business objectives across all company locations. This is a hands-on technical role that combines network architecture and daily operations with a strong security focus. You will own the reliability and performance of our network from the front office to the plant floor, lead infrastructure projects such as SD-WAN deployments and network segmentation, and serve as the subject-matter expert for routing, switching, wireless, and security. Reporting to the Manager of IT Security, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including plant operations, IT, and cybersecurity, to ensure our infrastructure meets operational needs, security standards, and compliance requirements. Key Responsibilities - Network Design and Implementation: - Design and implement secure network solutions, including RADIUS, SASE, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and secure access points across all Hood Container locations. - Lead the design, configuration, and deployment of SD-WAN solutions across multiple manufacturing sites, assessing current infrastructure and recommending solutions that meet both business and technical requirements. - Develop, maintain, and enforce network security policies and procedures. - Configure and manage network security devices to protect against unauthorized access, data leaks, and cyber-attacks. - Optimize network configurations to ensure high availability, redundancy, and performance appropriate for manufacturing environments. - Monitoring, Maintenance, and Incident Response: - Collaborate with the Security Team to monitor network performance and security using EDR, NDR, and SIEM tools. - Maintain patching and update schedules for all network devices to mitigate vulnerabilities across the environment. - Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate security risks. - Investigate and respond to security incidents, breaches, and cyber threats. - Develop and maintain incident response plans, and work closely with the cybersecurity team to prevent recurrence. - Multi-Site Operations and IT/OT Support: - Support network infrastructure across multiple manufacturing plants, ensuring consistent standards, configurations, and security posture at every site. - Travel to plant locations as needed (up to 35%) for deployments, troubleshooting, and infrastructure assessments. - Collaborate with plant operations and OT teams to support plant-floor network connectivity. - Serve as a technical resource and business partner for plant managers and stakeholders. - Collaboration, Training, and Documentation: - Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to continuously improve the organization's overall network security posture. - Provide mentoring and technical guidance to junior network engineers and IT staff. - Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date documentation of network configurations, topology, security policies, and procedures. - Generate regular reports on network security status, incidents, and remediation efforts. - Stay current with emerging network security trends, threats, and technologies. Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. - 5-7+ years of experience in network engineering with a demonstrated focus on network security. - Strong knowledge of network protocols, routing, and switching (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF). - Experience with firewall management (e.g., Palo Alto Networks, Meraki). - Proficiency with VPNs, SASE, IDS/IPS, NDR, EDR, and SIEM systems. - Expert knowledge of wireless networking standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and security protocols (WPA2, WPA3). - Strong understanding of SD-WAN architecture, including edge devices, controllers, and orchestrators. - Proficiency in network security principles and practices, particularly as they relate to SD-WAN environments. - Familiarity with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Wireshark). - Strong understanding of encryption technologies, authentication methods, and network access control. - Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. - Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel to plant locations as required. Preferred Qualifications - Certifications such as CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, Palo Alto PCNSE, or CCIE. - Azure Network Engineer Associate or equivalent cloud networking certification is a plus. - Experience with cloud network security (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP). - Prior experience in manufacturing, industrial, or multi-site environments. - Familiarity with IT/OT convergence concepts and network segmentation for industrial control systems. - Experience supporting network infrastructure across geographically distributed locations. Work Environment This is a full-time remote position. The role involves travel to manufacturing plant locations (up to 35%), including occasional visits to production floor environments. Some after-hours or weekend work may be necessary for maintenance windows, deployments, or emergency response. Benefits - Competitive pay & benefits: We offer a competitive base salary, an annual bonus program, and a comprehensive benefits package. - Continuous learning: We invest in paid training and development to help you grow your skills and advance your career. - Caring & Empowering Company Culture: Supportive & collaborative team dedicated to seeing you unbox your potential. - Growing Company in a Sustainable Industry.