Engineer - Network Infrastructure Engineer

Engineer - Network Infrastructure Engineer - MS DOROnsite | Jackson, MSAbout the JobDuration: Long-term contract positionLocation: Onsite - Jackson, MSWork Arrangement: 100% onsite. Remote candidates should not be submitted.Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PMHours: 40 hours per weekOvertime: OccasionalOn-Call: NoTravel: Occasional in-state travelExpenses Reimbursed: NoPay Rate: HourlyJob ID: 166302Career Level: SMERequesting Agency: Mississippi Department of RevenueDepartment: Office of Information Technology (Client)The State posting identifies this as a 100% onsite role supporting the Mississippi Department of Revenue, with a Monday-Friday schedule and occasional in-state travel. Network Infrastructure EngineerPosition OverviewDataSoft Technologies is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Network Infrastructure Engineer to support the Mississippi Department of Revenue's Office of Information Technology.This is a senior, hands-on engineering role responsible for supporting and advancing the State's enterprise network environment. The position will play a critical role in the design, deployment, security, administration, and ongoing support of enterprise data center and campus networking technologies, including Cisco ACI, Cisco Catalyst, Software-Defined Access (SDA), Cisco Identity Services Engine (Client), ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, DNA Spaces, and Palo Alto Networks. Network Infrastructure EngineerThe engineer will work closely with infrastructure teams to support new Liquor Distribution Center (LDC) network fabrics, identity-driven access systems, observability platforms, and statewide networking operations. The role requires deep technical expertise, strong troubleshooting ability, clear communication, and the ability to support high-availability, mission-critical enterprise systems.Scope of the RoleThe Network Infrastructure Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, securing, and troubleshooting complex enterprise network infrastructure across data center and campus environments.This position requires expertise across data center networking, software-defined networking, network access control, observability, next-generation firewalls, routing and switching, and enterprise modernization initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesCisco ACI & Data Center NetworkingDesign, implement, and maintain Cisco Nexus platforms running ACI mode, including VRFs, Bridge Domains, EPGs/ESGs, L3Out, contracts, and fabric policies.Integrate ACI with virtualization and container platforms including Red Hat OpenShift VMM and Isovalent/Cilium.Configure and optimize RoCEv2 within the ACI fabric for high-performance, low-latency workloads.Conduct advanced troubleshooting of ACI fabric health, faults, endpoint learning, contracts, and multi-tenant segmentation.Develop and maintain fabric documentation, standards, and operational procedures.Cisco Catalyst & Software-Defined AccessDeploy and support Cisco Catalyst platforms within campus environments.Design and maintain Software-Defined Access (SDA) architectures, including SDA Wired Fabric and Fabric-Enabled Wireless.Manage fabric underlay and overlay, policy mapping, authentication integrations, and assurance operations.Collaborate with wireless engineers to optimize coverage, performance, and policy enforcement across SDA.Identity-Driven Networking & Security TechnologiesConfigure and administer Cisco Identity Services Engine (Client) for TACACS+ device administration, authentication and authorization policy sets, and endpoint profiling.Integrate Cyber Vision intelligence into profiling, segmentation, and access control workflows.Support Zero Trust efforts through identity-centric segmentation and policy integration across ACI and SDA fabrics.Visibility, Analytics & ObservabilityDeploy and manage ThousandEyes for end-to-end visibility, routing path analysis, and performance monitoring.Implement and support Cisco Cyber Vision for OT/IoT asset visibility, device classification, and behavior analysis.Manage DNA Spaces for location analytics, telemetry ingestion, device behavior, and wireless intelligence.Provide meaningful insights to leadership using data from these observability platforms.Core Network EngineeringTroubleshoot complex L2/L3 network issues across multiple environments including VLANs, OSPF, BGP, STP, and multicast.Designing, and implementing Palo Alto Networks security solutions across enterprise environments.Create and maintain documentation including architecture diagrams, standards, runbooks, and asset inventories.Assist in modernization planning, platform upgrades, procurement processes, and statewide technology initiatives.Other duties as assigned.These responsibilities are directly reflected in the State's SOW, including ACI, SDA, Client, observability platforms, Palo Alto security, and enterprise routing and switching. Network Infrastructure Engineer Network Infrastructure EngineerRequired Skills/ExperienceThe SME must possess:Minimum of 15 years of experience working with Cisco networking.Required Skills & QualificationsHands-on experience with Cisco ACI in production environments.Deep knowledge of ACI constructs (VRF, Client, EPG, ESG, L3Out, contracts).Experience integrating ACI with OpenShift VMM and Cilium/Isovalent.Proficiency with Cisco Catalyst platforms and SDA fabric technologies.Experience administering Cisco Client including TACACS+ and policy-set based NAC.Strong understanding of ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, and DNA Spaces or comparable tools.Solid command of core TCP/IP, routing, switching, QoS, and network security fundamentals.Ability to develop clear diagrams, documentation, and architectural artifacts.Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.The State notes that these minimum requirements will be transferred to the score sheet and that candidates whose resumes do not clearly reflect the required experience will not be presented to the manager. Network Infrastructure EngineerPreferred/Not RequiredCisco certifications such as CCNP Data Center, CCNP Enterprise, CCIE, or equivalent experience.Hands-on experience with container networking and virtualization integrations.Familiarity with NIST frameworks and state-level cybersecurity requirements.Experience with network automation tools (Python, Ansible, REST APIs).Prior work in state government or large enterprise network environments.PCCSA - Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity AssociateFoundational security, NGFW basics, threats, App-ID, and policy.PCNSA - Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security AdministratorFocuses on NGFW configuration, security profiles, NAT, App-ID, URL filtering, WildFireThe additional technical profile supplied with the role also identifies CCNA, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Enterprise, Cisco ACI/SDA/Client specialization, Palo Alto certification, and observability-platform training as recommended credentials. Network Infrastructure EngineerTechnical EnvironmentCandidates should be comfortable working across a broad enterprise networking stack that includes:Cisco ACI / NexusCisco CatalystSoftware-Defined Access (SDA)Cisco Identity Services Engine (Client)TACACS+Network Access Control (NAC)Red Hat OpenShift VMMCilium / IsovalentThousandEyesCisco Cyber VisionDNA SpacesPalo Alto NetworksTCP/IPVLANsOSPFBGPSTPMulticastQoSNetwork securityZero Trust architecturesPythonAnsibleREST APIsCandidate ProfileThe strongest candidates will be senior network engineers with significant hands-on experience supporting large, highly available enterprise environments.This is not primarily a network operations or help-desk role. The position requires someone who can independently design, implement, troubleshoot, secure, document, and optimize sophisticated enterprise network infrastructure.The ideal candidate should be capable of working at the architecture and engineering level while remaining hands-on with production infrastructure.About our CompanyDataSoft Technologies is a highly recognized provider of professional IT Consulting services in the US. Founded in 1994, DataSoft Technologies, Inc. provides staff augmentation services for Information Technology and Automotive Services. Our team member benefits include:Paid Holidays/Paid Time Off (PTO)Medical/Dental Insurance GroupAccident/Critical Illness InsuranceLife Insurance401 (K)