Senior Network Engineer
6-12 Month Contract to Hire
Locations: Oak Brook, Illinois (in office 2 days a week or out in the field)
$60-68/hr
Primary Purpose
This role will support our enterprise Network Transformation Program, a $100M capital refresh initiative focused on modernizing LAN/WAN infrastructure across Exelon’s corporate offices and branch sites (non-generation environments). These engineers will join the Enterprise Networking team and play a key role in supporting site refreshes, routing and switching enhancements, and overall network upgrades.
These roles require individuals who can hit the ground running, contribute immediately to project execution, and collaborate across cross-functional teams including architecture, procurement, and implementation planning.
The Senior Network Engineer will lead and support critical network infrastructure initiatives across the enterprise environment. This role is ideal for a seasoned engineer with deep technical expertise, a strong understanding of enterprise-level networking, and the ability to architect, implement, and optimize complex network solutions. You’ll serve as a technical leader and strategic partner in driving the performance, availability, and security of our global networks.
Primary Duties
- Design and development of network assessment, design, connectivity, and process for connecting to various network environments.
- Design, implement, and support enterprise network solutions (LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN, and Data Center networking).
- Participate in network architecture planning and modernization initiatives to support scalable, secure, and high-performing infrastructure.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex troubleshooting and performance issues across routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and wireless controllers.
- Evaluate and deploy new technologies, tools, and automation strategies to optimize network performance and management.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity, infrastructure, and application teams to ensure network alignment with business and security goals.
- As needed, mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices, documentation, and knowledge-sharing across the team.
- Lead or support enterprise-scale projects such as network segmentation, cloud connectivity, site migrations, and resiliency efforts.
- Interact with all levels of employees, including executives, vendors, involved in the network design, connectivity, maintenance, review, approval, testing and communication of business plans and cloud connectivity plans.
- Assist with the installation and implementation of configuration management tools.
- Motivate others to translate ideas into actions and results. Defines project, team, and unit work in terms of results. Through leadership, drives self and team to accomplish goals. Balances persistence and challenges with concern for others.
- Perform basic independent troubleshooting by looking through logs and can investigate and fix simple issues. Help to troubleshoot complex issues.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related discipline and 6+ years relevant experience in network communications, network planning, cloud computing, disaster/recovery, or 11+ years in comparable work experience.
- Deep expertise in configuring and managing Cisco technologies (routers, switches, ASA/Firepower firewalls, wireless solutions).
- Strong knowledge of network routing and switching protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, STP, VLANs, VRFs).
- Experience with SD-WAN (preferably Cisco Viptela or Meraki) and exposure to cloud networking in AWS, Azure, GCP or other Cloud environments.
- Solid understanding of network security principles, including firewall management, segmentation, and VPN technologies.
- Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent are strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to lead projects and work cross-functionally in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering services using advanced configuration tools.
- Demonstrated knowledge of industry trends.
- Experience developing and implementing new technologies or platforms.
- Demonstrates acumen in best practices and issues management in practical applications of a difficult nature.
- Advanced design and troubleshooting of layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks independently.
- Basic design and troubleshooting ability of layer 4-7.
- Able to conduct all primary systems administrator duties without support from others.
- Demonstrates the uppermost levels of expertise in applying network operations standards and procedures in challenging and complex situations.
- Experience as a team leader contributing to the effectiveness of requirements gathering interviewing team by offering suggestions for improvement to questions, procedures, etc.
- Ability to apply solutions against current security requirements and future industry trends.
- Demonstrated techniques of system testing for systems across multiple platforms.
- Ability to write and edit clear and comprehensive formal technical reports on products, feasibility studies, specifications and systems.
- Demonstrated ability to perform basic independent troubleshooting.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in enterprise networking roles.
- Scripting and automation experience (Python, Ansible, Terraform, etc.) is a plus.
- Network professional certification(s) held for one or more periods, such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE), Prisma Certified Cloud Engineer (PCCE), Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PANCNSE), or higher certification or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience in the design, architecture, and lifecycle management of Cisco data center networks.
Disclaimer: Brooksource, Medasource, and Calculated Hire are part of the Eight Eleven Group family of companies and operate under Eight Eleven Group, LLC. All employees receive the same benefits, policies, and terms of employment.
EEO: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Benefits & Perks: Brooksource offers competitive medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care FSA, and supplemental coverage with plans that can fit each employee’s needs. We offer a 401k plan that includes a company match and is fully vested after you become eligible, paid time off, sick time, and paid company holidays. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides services like virtual counseling, financial services, legal services, life coaching, etc.
Pay Disclaimer: The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Pay: $60.00 - $68.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you open to contract to hire opportunities?
- Are you comfortable with the pay range listed?
- Do you have your CCNP or CCNA?
- Do you have experince with Cisco SD-WAN?
- Are you open to being onsite or in the field 2 days a week in the Chicago area?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
