Senior Network Engineer

Location: Roodepoort, Gauteng (On-site)
Contract Type: Initial 6-Month Contract (with the potential to be extended to 12 months)

Are you an experienced Senior Network Engineer with strong Cisco networking expertise and a passion for maintaining secure, reliable, and efficient enterprise network infrastructure?

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to administer, maintain, and support enterprise network infrastructure using predominantly Cisco technologies, ensuring stable, secure, and efficient day-to-day network operations across LAN, WAN, and hybrid environments.

This is an urgent requirement, and preference will be given to candidates who are available to start immediately or who have a short notice period.

Job Purpose

To administer, maintain, and support enterprise network infrastructure using predominantly Cisco technologies, ensuring stable, secure, and efficient day-to-day network operations across LAN, WAN, and hybrid environments.

Key Responsibilities

Network Operations

• Monitor network availability, performance, and capacity.
• Perform routine maintenance, upgrades, and patching.
• Configure and manage Cisco routers and switches.
• Maintain LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, and VPN connectivity.

Configuration & Administration

• Configure VLANs, trunking, and IP addressing schemes.
• Manage routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP – basic to intermediate level).
• Administer DHCP, DNS, and IP management.
• Maintain configuration backups and version control.

User & Service Support

• Provide 1st and 2nd line network support.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues (LAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, internet and VoIP).
• Support Service Desk in resolving network-related incidents.
• Assist in onboarding of new systems and users.

Incident & Problem Management

• Log, track, and resolve incidents within SLA.
• Perform root cause analysis for recurring issues.
• Escalate complex issues to Network Engineers or vendors.
• Participate in major incident resolution processes.

Security Administration

• Apply firmware updates and security patches.
• Configure basic firewall rules (Cisco ASA / FortiGate).
• Monitor network for anomalies and vulnerabilities.
• Support compliance with IT security policies and standards.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Use monitoring tools (e.g. SolarWinds, PRTG, CheckMK).
• Generate network performance and availability reports.
• Proactively identify and resolve performance degradation.

Documentation

• Maintain network diagrams and topology documentation.
• Update configuration records and asset registers.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and operational procedures.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum

• Relevant Degree / Diploma in IT, Networking, or Engineering.

Preferred Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

Highly Advantageous

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise).

Experience

• 5–8 years' experience in enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to:
  • Manage network infrastructure independently.
  • Troubleshoot complex issues across LAN/WAN.
  • Support high-availability environments.
• Experience with:
  • MPLS and multi-site connectivity.
  • Firewall and WAN failover configurations.
  • Supporting DR/BCP environments.
• Strong vendor engagement (ISPs, Cisco partners).

Technical Skills

Core Networking Skills

Strong understanding of:

• TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS, DHCP.
• VLANs, STP, trunking.
• Routing fundamentals (OSPF, EIGRP).

Cisco Technologies

• Cisco IOS configuration and troubleshooting.
• Cisco Catalyst switching (Layer 2 / Layer 3).
• Basic Cisco router configuration.
• Exposure to Cisco wireless solutions (WLC – advantageous).

Network Security

• Basic firewall configuration (ACLs, NAT).
• VPN technologies (site-to-site, remote access).
• Understanding of network segmentation and access control.

Connectivity & WAN

• MPLS, broadband, DIA circuits.
• VPN connectivity and failover mechanisms.
• Basic QoS concepts.

Monitoring & Tools

• Network monitoring platforms (SolarWinds, PRTG, CheckMK).
• Log analysis and troubleshooting tools.
• Packet capture basics (Wireshark – advantageous).

Key Competencies

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical thinking.
• Attention to detail.
• Good communication and user support skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in incident situations.

What's on Offer

• Initial 6-month contract with the potential to be extended to 12 months.
• Fully on-site position based in Roodepoort.
• Opportunity to support and maintain enterprise network infrastructure using predominantly Cisco technologies.

If you are an experienced Senior Network Engineer with the required qualifications, technical skills, and enterprise networking experience, we'd love to hear from you.