Network Engineer - Senior

*THIS IS A SALARIED, DIRECT HIRE, STAFF POSITION WITH AN ONSITE WORK REQUIREMENT (HYBRID ROLE). NO 3RD PARTIES PLEASE. Responsible for the design, implementation, and high-level support of our core on-premise infrastructure. This role focuses on ensuring the stability, security, and performance of our Cisco networking environment, VMware virtualization stack, and Storage Area Networks (SAN). The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who enjoys optimizing physical infrastructure while helping guide a long-term roadmap toward hybrid-cloud integration. Key Responsibilities: Infrastructure Lead: Design, configure, and maintain Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls to ensure high availability and security. Virtualization Management: Optimize and manage the VMware environment (vSphere/vCenter), ensuring performance and cost-efficiency. Storage & Hardware: Monitor and maintain on-premise Storage Area Networks (SAN) and physical server hardware. Disaster Recovery: Design and maintain robust disaster recovery systems and procedures for the on-premise environment. Lifecycle Management: Perform OS, systems, and application upgrades as necessary to maintain supportability and compatibility. Technical Leadership: Act as a Tier 3 escalation point for complex technical issues and provide mentorship to junior engineering staff. Compliance & Audit: Provide documentation and technical evidence for IT audits and perform necessary remediation of identified issues. Strategic Planning: Participate in annual budget development and identify opportunities for infrastructure modernization and cost reduction. Qualifications: Experience: 5+ years of experience in Network or Systems Engineering within an enterprise environment. Networking: Expert-level proficiency in Cisco routing/switching and network security protocols. Virtualization: Extensive experience with VMware, vSphere and vCenter management. Hardware: Proven track record of managing enterprise storage (SAN) and physical server blades. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or equivalent professional experience. Certs: CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) or VCP (VMware Certified Professional) highly preferred. Preferred (Nice to Have) Skills: Cloud Awareness: Familiarity with AWS or Azure cloud platforms and connectivity methods (Direct Connect, ExpressRoute). Automation: Experience with PowerShell or Python for automating routine infrastructure tasks. Modern Networking: Knowledge of Azure Fabric or software-defined networking (SDN). Pay: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Ability to Commute: Ridgefield, CT 06877 (Preferred) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ridgefield, CT 06877