Network Engineer

SummaryThe Network Engineer is part of a team of engineers who design, build, maintain, and support the Firm’s global portfolio of networking infrastructure solutions.This role supports the lifecycle management of the networking portfolio by helping deliver solutions that provide an optimal experience for our lawyers, staff, practice groups, and clients, while following standards that reduce risk to the Firm.To accomplish this objective, the Network Engineer partners with cross-functional IT solution teams, Information Security, and other stakeholders to implement, maintain, and continuously improve network solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Firm. This role requires an individual with strong troubleshooting and implementation skills and the ability to balance day-to-day operational support with project work.Duties & ResponsibilitiesSupports lifecycle management of the Firm’s networking portfolio, helping deliver a technology experience that is stable, secure, and scalableDesigns, implements, and supports on-premises and cloud-based network infrastructure, including firewalls, routers, switches, and wirelessPerforms ongoing data center operations and mai ntenance tasks for the Firm’s network infrastructure, coordinating with third-party providers and contractors as neededDevelops and maintains infrastructure documentation, including architecture diagrams, system configurations, and operational proceduresPartners with Information Security, IT Security Solutions, Application Solutions teams, and other IT engineers to follow common standards and objectives for infrastructure solutions and support broader Infrastructure team initiatives as neededMonitors, diagnoses, and helps optimize network performance, integrity, and security to promote high availabilityUses AI‑assisted network analytics and telemetry insights to improve visibility into network health, performance trends, and user experience, supporting faster troubleshooting and more consistent operations.Provides technical support for on-premises and cloud-based network environments, including participation in on-call rotation as neededWorks with IT Security Solutions to implement and integrate network infrastructure with security technologies (e.g., perimeter defense, monitoring & logging, identity and access management)Supports capacity planning and system optimization efforts for network and infrastructure solutions (e.g., performance analysis, tuning, scaling)Recommends, schedules, and performs ongoing maintenance and support activities (e.g., infrastructure security audits, upgrades, reconfigurations, optimizations)Anticipates, mitigates, troubleshoots, and resolves problems across the infrastructure stack, with focus on preserving a gold-standard end user experienceSupports application teams throughout project lifecycles, serving as infrastructure subject matter expertise as requiredCollaborates well with cross-functional stakeholders and other third-party providersStays current on trends in the marketplace, conducting research on emerging infrastructure products, services, protocols, and standardsSupports the development, documentation, and maintenance policies, procedures, and associated training plans for system administration and appropriate useUphold high standards of confidentiality, discretion, and integrity, particularly with respect to all sensitive and/or confidential firm and client information to which this position will have access. QualificationsEducation & CertificationCollege degree strongly preferred, ideally with focus in computer science, engineering, or related fieldsCCNA or industry equivalent certification required; CCNP preferredKnowledge & Experience5+ years of relevant experience as a Network Engineer, ideally in a large Law Firm setting, a comparable professional services organization, or a legal information services providerExperience supporting the system lifecycle for infrastructure solutions (e.g., planning, implementation, operations, upgrades, and decommissioning)Experience contributing to infrastructure design and implementation in a global environment, including on-premises and cloud-based solutionsExperience with Azure networking and hybrid connectivity.Demonstrated experience with Palo Alto Next Generation Firewall deployment and administration requiredDemonstrated experience with SD-WAN technologiesExperience with Catalyst switching and routingAbility to troubleshoot in complex network environments and quickly identify root cause problemsDirect familiarity with routing protocols, including BGPExperience with infrastructure monitoring tools and capabilities Experience documenting and maintaining configuration and processing informationKnowledge of applicable data privacy and global compliance practices and laws (e.g., ITAR)Skills & ExpectationsDemonstrated ability to support change initiatives by adopting standards, documenting changes, and communicating impacts to stakeholdersAbility to establish rapport and elicit cooperation from personnel across levels and across teamsAbility to collaborate effectively with teammates and third-party vendors/consultants; may provide guidance or knowledge sharing within the team as neededSkilled in communications to all levels in the organization in writing, speaking, and presentation skills for work with the Firm leadership, the user community, and clientsExcellent problem solving and debugging skills requiredAbility to manage complex information systemsMust be able to reliably deal with multiple competing priorities and remain calm under pressureAbility to fulfill on-call duties for IT emergencies outside of Firm business hoursWork Location and ConditionsBased in Washington, D.C.Core hours of 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Friday; hybrid in-office, which will be a combination of onsite and remote work with occasional on-call availabilityLifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as computers and peripheralsPosition requires access to equipment, software, or technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. To be granted access pursuant to US Export Control laws, candidate must be either (a) a United States citizen or national; (b) a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence of the United States (i.e., “Green Card” holder); or (c) an INS-approved refugee or asylum holder who has applied for naturalization within six months of the date the individual first became eligible; and if not yet naturalized, is still actively pursuing naturalization if 2 years have passed since the date of application to be granted access pursuant to US Export Control laws. Candidates will be required to submit appropriate documentation to determine whether access can be granted before proceeding further through the application process.Status: ExemptReports To: Infrastructure Solutions ManagerWorkplace Type: HybridSalary range is $109,000- $136,000 depending on candidate experience and location.Candidates hired for staff positions with a minimum work schedule of 30 hours per week are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare insurance. Learn more about benefits at Covington. https://www.cov.com/en/careers/staff/benefitsView Covington job applicant privacy notice here: https://www.cov.com/en/job-applicant-privacy-noticeCovington & Burling LLP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any aspect of employment, including hiring, salary, promotion, discipline, termination, and benefits, on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family responsibility, disability (including physical handicap), or any other improper criterion. Covington will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with applicable laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.