Title: Network Design Engineer (Wired & Wireless)
Location: Cincinnati, OH/Seattle, WA/Charleston, SC/Atlanta, Georgia-Remote (Onsite as per client need)
Job Type: Contract on W2/C2C
Visa Type: USC/GC only
Network Designer (Wired & Wireless) Key Responsibilities: Wireless & Wired Network Design
- Architect and design enterprise-grade wireless and wired network solutions for large manufacturing and office environments.
- Develop high-density wireless network designs considering coverage, capacity, and interference mitigation strategies.
- Conduct predictive and on-site wireless surveys using tools like Ekahau or AirMagnet to ensure optimal AP placements.
- Ensure compliance with customer technology standards, security guidelines, and wireless policies.
- Provide recommendations for AP positioning, RF tuning, channel planning, and optimal antenna selection based on manufacturing floor challenges (high ceilings, metal interference, etc.).
- Design highly available and scalable LAN/WLAN architectures integrating Cisco & Juniper Wireless Controllers.
Hands-on Wireless Survey & Optimization
- Perform on-site and post-deployment wireless validation surveys with help of Survey Engineers to assess signal strength, interference, and coverage gaps.
- Optimize WLC configurations and fine-tune RF parameters to enhance wireless performance.
- Analyze real-time network performance issues and proactively implement solutions.
- Leverage Cisco Spaces for wireless analytics, location-based services, and data-driven optimizations.
Cisco & Arista Switching Experience
- Provide design expertise and hands-on support for Cisco & Arista switch configurations, VLANs, routing, and QoS policies.
- Collaborate with teams handling switch refresh projects & new builds across sites.
- Assist in integration of wireless infrastructure with Cisco & Arista switching fabric.
- Work closely with network teams to ensure seamless switch-to-WLC integration.
Manufacturing Site-Specific Network Engineering
- Design and deploy wireless solutions for high-ceiling environments while ensuring proper antenna selection.
- Ensure compliance with industrial safety regulations when performing wireless installations in secured environments.
- Work closely with vendors handling AP installations to ensure accurate implementation based on RF survey reports.
- Provide guidance for structured cabling best practices in switch refresh projects.
Project Coordination & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with project managers, vendors, and customer IT teams to drive seamless execution.
- Participate in change control and governance processes to align wireless deployments with project timelines.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex wireless issues across multiple sites and escalate as needed.
Required Skills & Experience: Core Networking & Wireless Expertise:
- 8+ years of experience in enterprise wireless & wired network design and implementation.
- Deep expertise in Cisco Wireless & Juniper Wireless solutions, including Cisco WLC (9800 series) & Juniper Mist.
- Strong hands-on experience with Cisco Spaces for location-based analytics & tracking.
- Advanced knowledge of Cisco & Arista switches, VLANs, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and QoS best practices.
- Experience with large-scale site surveys using Ekahau, AirMagnet, or similar tools.
- Proficiency in RF design principles, antenna selection, AP placement, and interference mitigation.
Wireless Optimization & Security:
- Expertise in RF tuning, channel planning, 802.11 protocols, and wireless QoS.
- Hands-on experience in wireless security mechanisms (WPA2/3, 802.1X, RADIUS, EAP-TLS).
- Familiarity with Cisco DNA Center/Cisco Catalyst Center for wireless assurance & automation.
- Understanding of wireless performance troubleshooting using DNAC, or Juniper Mist AI.
Industrial Site Experience & Safety Compliance:
- Experience designing and deploying wireless solutions in large manufacturing environments with high ceilings (40ft-100ft+), metal obstructions, and challenging RF conditions.
- Familiarity with structured cabling standards (TIA/EIA, NFPA 70E, BICSI best practices).
- Strong adherence to safety protocols for high-ceiling installations (e.g., scissor/boom lifts, fall protection).