Network Technical Consultant

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. 

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD. 

The Network TC performs network and network security engineering, administration and support functions within the enterprise network infrastructure. The position is accountable for performing the analysis, design, implementation, administration, and maintenance on highly available network systems that meet business objectives and SLAs. Person within this position must be equipped and able to work in a dynamic and rapidly expanding environment.

This position will serve as part of a team of IT administrators and engineers who collectively demonstrate excellent technical competency, reliability in delivering mission critical infrastructure, and who continually ensure the highest levels of accessibility, optimization, and security.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Network Infrastructure environment with a service-oriented approach and efficient delivery to meet customer needs, requirements, and their service expectations
• Work within established configuration and change management policies to ensure awareness, approval, and success of changes made to the network infrastructure
• Responsible for all engineering, design, deploying, troubleshooting, and administrating network infrastructure solutions (hardware and software) with a primary focus on:
• o WAN Services solutions (e.g. support of network solutions supporting wide area network circuits, Internet circuits, Point to Point Circuits, and 3rd Party Fabric solutions, BGP/OSPF enterprise design and health, Integration of these technologies into the Network, and other Wide Area Network technologies, etc.)
• o Wired/Wireless LAN Services solutions (e.g. Wireless and Wired solutions including the authentication and performance monitoring / management solutions, Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 solutions supporting the D&C offices, etc.)
• o Third Party Services solutions (e.g. Liaison with Third Party Providers for Design, Integration, and Monitoring / Management of third-party solutions including security / access of solution into the network. etc.)
• Automate network deployment and data collection tasks to enhance the productivity and validity of the results.
• Create and document Support Strategies ensuring the ongoing support expectations of all IT solutions aligns with the business expectations.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for all implemented networks. Ensure relevant operational process, procedure, and policy documentation is effectively managed and the data required to support operations is complete and accurate in systems.
• Management and hands and feet support of data centers and local communication rooms physical design and implementation – including cabling and hardware installation as required. Candidate must be local to physically support installations and troubleshoot incidents at the local office communication rooms and data centers below:
• 555 California St, San Francisco, CA 94104
• 255 CASPIAN DR, SUNNYVALE, CA, 94089
• 12647 ALCOSTA BLVD, SAN RAMON, CA, 94583

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES continued

• Assist in managing the relationship with Data Center (Equinix) Vendor for all items relating to the data centers.
• o Be familiar and knowledgeable with the installation of Data Center components (e.g. UPS systems, Power [voltage, KW, KVA, Power factor, etc.], PDU’s, Data Center Cooling systems, Cabinets/Rack, Cabling [Cross Connect, Interconnect, ladder rack, fiber troughs, etc.]
• o Assist with the design and installation of all systems being installed within the Data Centers.
• Select and implement security tools, policies, and procedures in conjunction with the company’s security team.
• Have excellent communications to act as a liaison with vendors and other IT personnel to resolve issues.
• Lead problem management events and create root cause analysis documentation for upper management.
• Provide complex technical support to end-users.
• Identify and resolve security issues and vulnerabilities as required.
• Repair and remediate network incidents, problems, and security vulnerabilities in accordance with documented processes and SLA’s.
• Perform network maintenance and system upgrades including patches, hot fixes and security configurations.
• Monitor network performance and ensure system availability and reliability in accordance with documented processes and SLA’s.
• o Provide recurring Network Health reports with metrics supporting the report status.
• Perform configuration backups and disaster recovery operations.
• Automate network monitoring and alerts triage as part of proactive approach to maintaining a high level of service.
• Develop testing platforms to detect network configuration inconsistencies before changes are made
• Automate network device provisioning processes, execute network changes and obtain data collection for reporting or analysis through the process.
• Develop and maintain tools to reduce down time in network operations, improve speed and accuracy of network changes, assist in diagnosis and remediation of advanced network problems and drive innovative solutions to reduce failures.
• Set operational and project goals and work globally with cross-functional teams within and outside the organization to deliver business outcomes predictability across global sites. This also includes analysis around operational datasets to detect and inform the prioritization of problems to resolve. This often culminates in the creation and communication of aligned team projects, programs, and roadmaps.
• Identify improvement opportunities across policies, processes, and procedures to improve efficiency and quality of the activities. Drive standards across the network and ensure that we are fully compliant to those standards and policies.
• Participate in the global team’s 24/7 on-call rotation with the goal of routing issues as needed and understanding how processes or tooling might be improved, skills can be developed, or automation can be implemented to prevent the need to escalate similar issues in the future.
• Assist with the design and deployment of new office openings from the ground up using standardization, network automation, and coordinating efforts with other departments to guarantee a smooth transition.
• Lead in developing the business justification, developing and documenting the design, and completing the installation of IT Infrastructure hardware and software as requested and/or required.
• Develop/create business justifications for recommended projects to be presented to upper management including the appropriate funding justification for the project.
• Identify tasks necessary to achieve project goals and provide work effort estimates.
• Project Manage the installation/implementation of IT network infrastructure projects using project management best practices
• Act as a technical vendor liaison while maintaining relationships with external suppliers and vendors
• Remain current on technology and industry trends affecting the business and make recommendations for system improvements accordingly.
• Identifies and communicates IT Infrastructure needs and upon approval implements the new hardware/software solution to remediate the need.
• Perform performance monitoring, system tuning, and capacity planning to maintain optimal performance of systems.
• Develop and document standards, policies, and procedures for specific IT network environments along with system specifications, system design documentation, implementation processes, and operational support documentation.
• Become familiar with hardware/software applications used which IT networking is responsible for deploying and supporting.
• Other duties as requested.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education - Bachelor's degree required. Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Experience - Candidates must have 6+ years of experience in a Network engineering role in a Cisco environment.
• Experience - Candidates must have 3+ years of experience in supporting/managing hosted Data Centers.
• Certifications – CCNA or CCNP (R&S) preferred
• Candidate must have advanced knowledge and hands-on administration experience with the following technologies and concepts:
• Cisco Networking Equipment (Routers, Switches, Wireless, Firewalls, etc.)
• Experience in automating network deployments desired
• Cisco DNA administration experience desired – specifically using Cisco DNA in automation and support.
• BGP/OSPF architecture/design experience required
• SD-WAN, with Cloud Integration experience required
• Cisco Nexus Dashboard administration experience required
• Data Center Management desired
• Python skillset desired
• Ansible or Terraform administration experience desired
• Monitoring/Observability tools (Dynatrace) desired
• Cisco ISE administration experience desired
• Forward Networks administration experience desired
• Cisco Wireless solutions experience desired
• Firewalls (Cisco Firepower and ASA preferred) experience desired
• Network Access Control solutions

o ForeScout administrative experience desired

• InfoBlox administration experience desired
• Centralized Policy Management
• Configuration Drift Detection and Remediation
• Security Posture Assurance
• Cloud knowledge and experience of Azure
• Disaster Recovery
• ITIL Certification and experience desired
• Language Skills - Must possess excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
• Project Management Skills - Must possess excellent project management skills and have experience in managing medium to large IT projects.
• Reasoning Ability – Must possess excellent reasoning skills, and be able to evaluate multiple potential solutions to complex problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical Activities - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Weight Lifted/Force Exerted - The employee's job occasionally requires weight to be lifted or force exerted up to 50 pounds.
• Vision Requirements - Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Environment Conditions - While performing the duties of this job, the employee does not work in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, endure outdoor weather conditions, endure extreme cold or heat (non-weather), or is at risk of electrical shock.
• Noise Level - The noise level in the employee's work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

USA Employment Benefits include: 

- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

- 401(k) 

- Paid company holidays 

- Paid time off 

- Paid parental and caregiver leave 

- Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details.