Lead Network & Security Engineer

Role: Lead Network & Security Engineer

Location: Buffalo, NY (Hybrid)

Duration: 12+ Months

Position Overview:

Take ownership of complex enterprise network and security environments while leading L3 support, architecture reviews, and infrastructure assessments. This role combines hands-on engineering with technical leadership across Cisco data center networking, Fortinet and Palo Alto firewalls, network optimization, and automation initiatives.

Responsiblities:

Lead enterprise network and firewall assessments across Fortinet and Palo Alto environments

Perform advanced L3 troubleshooting for routing, switching, VPN, QoS, NAT, ACL, and network performance issues

Support Cisco Nexus data center architecture including NX-OS, VPC, VXLAN/EVPN, and HA designs

Review firewall governance, security policies, SD-WAN posture, and segmentation strategies

Configure and support SolarWinds and other network monitoring/discovery tools

Lead major network changes, migrations, upgrades, and change management activities

Develop network standards, documentation, runbooks, and configuration templates

Mentor L1/L2 engineers and act as the final technical escalation point

Requirements:

10 12 years of networking experience with 3 4 years in an L3 or Architect-level role

Extensive hands-on experience with Cisco IOS/XE, NX-OS, and Cisco Nexus platforms

Strong expertise with Fortinet FortiGate and Palo Alto Networks firewalls

Experience with SolarWinds or comparable monitoring tools, including network discovery

Strong knowledge of OSPF, BGP, VLANs, STP, EtherChannel, SD-WAN, VPNs, and HA clustering

Working knowledge of automation and scripting using Python, Bash, or EEM

CCNA or equivalent hands-on experience

Preferred Qualifications:

CCNP Enterprise

Fortinet NSE 4 or higher

Aruba Wireless, Extreme Networks, or Juniper Networks experience

ITIL v4 Foundation