[Network-jobs] Senior Network Engineer - SureWest Kansas City

[Travis Marlow]

Work for one of the nation's leading integrated communications providers. SureWest offers challenging career opportunities and a true commitment to the communities we serve. We recognize the value of good employees because our business depends on it. If you are looking for an employer who offers growth opportunities, excellent benefits, recognition for performance and work/life balance, consider joining the SureWest team. 

Purpose of Position

Provides strategic leadership for the engineering and implementation of new and existing technologies that utilize IP packet transport.  Overall network design, architecture and diagrams that describe the SureWest voice, video and data networks.  Provides tier 4 support to the Network Operations organization for all data network issues.  Responsible for the IP allocations and architecture for the SureWest data network.


Essential Functions

*	Recommends, installs, configures and maintains network components (e.g. Cisco Routers/Switches, firewalls, load balancers, server caches, purpose built appliances, network management programs).
*	Troubleshoots and resolve network problems, failures, and outages.  Provides tier 4 support as needed, assisting Data / Voice / Video Network Operations groups with troubleshooting and problem resolution for failures and outages.
*	Main ARIN contact for all SureWest subsidiaries and architect of IP addressing plan for all of SureWest; this includes the planning and design of subnetworks schemes, capacity planning and maintenance of IP records.
*	Stays current on emerging trends in the market place and performs research and development on technologies and devices as required for network optimization and growth.
*	Works closely with the Sales and Marketing organizations in order to translate new product offerings into technical designs and configurations.
*	Provides support documentation and training on new technology solutions and supports new products for other departments, sections and companies, explaining difficult or complicated information.  Works effectively with a broad constituency in a manner that conveys professionalism and mentors employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.
*	Develops, automates and executes detailed test plans for new services and devices including residential and business data networking, video, VoIP and converged solutions.
*	Coordinates projects autonomously from inception through completion, often under difficult or complex circumstances, including preparing request for quotes and requisition requests.
*	Maintains Strategic relationships with vendors and their technical support personnel; works with vendors to identify, isolate and resolve bugs in networking equipment and software loads.  Review quotes and proposals for accuracy and completeness.
*	Develop documentation, technical presentations, cost-benefit analysis, and network designs and present that information to management.
*	Provides for OSS integration and support of existing and new network components.
*	Engineers projects, researches customer requirements, prepares estimates, and creates purchase order requests directly in PeopleSoft.  Exercises significant financial responsibility when preparing purchase order requests for materials, engineering and network enhancements, for new technologies or modifications of Central Office/Headend equipment.
*	Researches and defines solutions to enhance the network and bring value to the company.  Defines systems without precedence.  Decisions impact the entire Company through the provisioning of service by all departments.
*	Regularly interprets policy to apply sound judgment for the resolution of issues and fulfillment of department goals through performance of job functions.
*	Assists Management by providing pricing and engineering projections in the annual budget formulation.
*	Travels to attend local and out-of-town seminars, conferences and/or training classes.
*	Reports to work on time and maintains a satisfactory attendance record.  Must maintain flexible work hours and participate in after hours call outs, prepared to perform necessary duties.
*	Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned by Supervisor or Manager.  Perform duties of Network Engineer II when required.

Minimum Qualifications

A.	Technical training or knowledge: Demonstrated expert-level knowledge of Data/Voice communications.  Advanced understanding of complex technologies with the ability to communicate their concepts to diverse audiences.  
i.	Must be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of the following routing protocols: MPLS, BGP, OSPF, and Multicast.  This includes advanced concepts such as summarization, route redistribution and metric manipulation, etc.  For multicast, experience in the configuration and troubleshooting of PIM and IGMP.  For MPLS, experience in the configuration and design of Layer 2 services utilizing EoMPLS, VPLS and H-VPLS. 
ii.	Must be able to demonstrate working knowledge of Carrier Ethernet, MEF standards and certifications, QoS strategies, IPv6, DOCSIS, and GPON protocols and topologies.  For Ethernet, this includes QnQ, RSTP, and CoS deployments.  For DOCSIS, this includes and understanding of RF and HFC networks.  For GPON, this includes and understanding of fiber optic delivery and transport techniques.
iii.	Must have understanding of VoIP, this includes the capability to explain the SIP protocol and how voice is transported on a packet network.  Understanding of various voice codecs properties and transport requirements. 
iv.	Understanding and practical knowledge of data security principles.  Understanding of DC and AC power systems.
v.	Extensive hands-on experience installing, configuring and troubleshooting Cisco 7600, 6500, 4500, ASR1000 and ASA55xx equipment.  Foundry/Brocade L3 switches and load balancers.  This includes knowledge of platform specific features, line card and interface module features, supervisor feature sets, hardware capacity and platform specific features such as queuing.
vi.	Must have extensive experience with a broad range of software and hardware troubleshooting tools such as:  protocol analyzers, NetFlow data collectors/monitors, streaming applications, Fluke testing platforms (packet crafting / measurements), optical light meters, etc. and be able to utilize these tools as the situation dictates.
B.	Work experience: Eight to ten years of related field network engineering experience, combination of technical training and work experience in network design, installation and operations in ISP/Data internetworking industry.  Primary subject matter expert competency in the majority of technologies listed above.
C.	License/Certification: Valid Driver's License.  Desired CCIE or equivalent level of knowledge.
D.	Education and work experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field preferred; equivalent work experience accepted.
E.	Physical Demands: Physical demands are consistent with the installation and maintenance of computer and network equipment and facilities. Most of the day is spent sitting at a desk, working with computers, printers, files, and standard office equipment.  Movement is required in the use of office equipment, supply locations, files, and other work locations and meeting rooms. Moderate physical activity is required in the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. Requires travel to remote sites for test and turn-up of equipment.    


Environmental Conditions
Works in air-conditioned/heated office space and cooled computer room.  Exposure to low noise levels from equipment or voices and some unavoidable exposure to electrical shock.

This position is based in our office in Lenexa, KS.  There is occasional travel required among our datacenter and network facilities in the Kansas City area and occasional travel to our Headquarters office.

If interested, feel free to forward your résumé or contact me with any questions.  We are only soliciting responses from interested candidates; employment agencies need not apply.

Regards,

Theresa King
t.king at surewest.com