Senior Network Engineer

Senior Network Engineer Design, deploy, and support high-availability Cisco network solutions for manufacturing automation and security. Job #136061 Manufacturing Richardson, Texas Apply Now Talascend is currently seeking a Senior Network Engineer for a contract opportunity with our client in Richardson, Texas. Overview This role involves architecting, deploying, and supporting information and operational technology solutions at a mission-critical manufacturing site. The engineer will focus on designing, developing, and maintaining innovative network infrastructure to support semiconductor manufacturing operations, with an emphasis on Cisco technologies and secure, high-availability networks. Responsibilities Provide operational support for on-premises network infrastructure, spanning from SD-WAN-based corporate enterprise networks to sensor-level communications Collaborate with process and manufacturing engineering teams to enable equipment integration and automation Design, develop, and deploy next-generation special use networks to segment and isolate critical manufacturing operations Troubleshoot network performance issues across all layers of the IT/OT architecture Support the implementation and rollout of new network technologies such as switches, firewalls, wireless infrastructure, and monitoring tools Participate in cross-functional calls to resolve network-related issues affecting equipment, applications, and infrastructure communication Attend daily tier meetings with factory and manufacturing operations teams for support and updates Work with corporate IT and security teams to ensure network compliance with cybersecurity standards Maintain network documentation including topology diagrams, configuration records, and change logs Ensure network resilience, redundancy, and high availability through proper design and proactive maintenance Monitor and manage network health, performance, and capacity using tools and dashboards Qualifications Bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field 5+ years of experience supporting enterprise and industrial network infrastructure in manufacturing or site environments Hands-on experience with Cisco network and routing equipment Strong background in factory floor networking (Level 2/3 OT) and collaboration with IT networks (Level 3.5/4)Proficient in network fundamentals including firewall configuration, VPN setup, VLANs, subnetting, IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, NAT, routing, and switching Experience with high availability, redundancy, and Quality of Service protocols Experience with network segmentation, resilience, and disaster recovery strategies Familiarity with Dev Ops network operations such as CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, monitoring, and automated deployment 2+ years of experience with Power Shell scripting 1+ years of experience with service management platforms such as Service Now Demonstrated ability to document network architecture, automation scripts, and configurations Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in information technology, computer science, or related fields Certification in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or equivalent Experience with multi-vendor network equipment (Cisco, Arista, Dell, Palo Alto)Experience with network patching tools such as Tanium or Chef and applying security practices Knowledge of data protection and recovery platforms (e.g., Rubrik, Veeam, Commvault, Zerto)Understanding of IT/OT convergence, industrial protocols, SCADA, and manufacturing systems Knowledge of industrial network architectures including layered models, DMZs, and redundant topologies Excellent communication, problem-solving, and solution design skills Ability to work independently with a proactive approach The shift for this position is standard working hours with no specified shift outside of typical business hours. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those qualified individuals who closely meet the qualifications of the position will be contacted. The details of the position are only a summary, other duties may be assigned as necessary. Background Check and Drug Screen may be required.