Lead Network Engineer/Architect - Cisco Infrastructure

Connection Services is seeking a Lead Network Engineer/Architect to join our Technical Staffing Division for a contract opportunity onsite in Niles, IL. This is a contract opportunity with benefits.

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Network Engineer/Architect to design, implement, and manage a global enterprise network infrastructure centered around Cisco technologies. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a balance of technical depth, strategic vision, and leadership, ensuring a secure, scalable, and high-performing network environment that supports global business operations.

What We Do:

We calm the confusion of IT by guiding the connection between people and technology. If a customer is looking for a better way to manage their warehouse inventory, equip their workforce, or secure their data, we make it happen. All it takes is finding the right combination of tech hardware, software, cloud solutions, and support services. That’s what we do. We’re the IT Department’s IT Department.

Who We Are:

Our team is made stronger by a multitude of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. It’s what makes Connection unique—what drives us to innovate and create technology solutions that stand apart from the crowd. We’d love for you to be a part of that fabric, to share your ideas and experiences with a team that thrives on fresh thinking, creativity, and helping others.

Why You Should Join Us:

You’ll find supportive teammates and a rewarding career at Connection—plus great benefits. We take pride in supporting employees with a total rewards package that provides financial, emotional, and physical resources for you and your family. Our compensation, 401k plans, medical insurance, and other benefits are progressive and competitive. We value the importance of our employees’ emotional well-being. To support employees, we provide free therapy visits, mental health coaching and tools, and meditation resources. You’ll also enjoy a generous paid time off package that includes not only vacation and sick time, but also Wellness and Volunteer Time Off days.

• Lead the architecture, design, and deployment of Cisco enterprise network solutions, including routers, switches, and firewalls (IOS, NX-OS, ASA/FTD).
• Architect and administer Cisco Meraki environments across MX, MS, and MR platforms, with a focus on SD-WAN design, policy enforcement, and cloud-based management.
• Design and integrate Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for advanced authentication, authorization, and accounting across wired and wireless infrastructures.
• Manage and optimize Cisco Umbrella and other cloud-delivered security platforms to enhance enterprise protection and compliance.
• Oversee Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) systems, ensuring performance, resiliency, and seamless VoIP operations.
• Perform complex troubleshooting, packet analysis, and root cause diagnostics to maintain optimal uptime and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute infrastructure modernization, migration, and network upgrade projects.
• Maintain comprehensive network documentation, topology diagrams, and configuration standards.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to architectural roadmaps and best practices.
• Enforce network and security compliance standards across all environments.

• 8+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network engineering and architecture.
• Expert-level knowledge of Cisco IOS, NX-OS, ASA/FTD, and Meraki platforms.
• Proven hands-on experience with Cisco ISE (policy creation, profiling, AD/LDAP integration).
• Strong understanding of Cisco Umbrella and cloud security models.
• In-depth experience with CUCM, VoIP, and unified communications.
• Proficiency in routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, STP, Layer 2/3).
• Familiarity with network performance monitoring tools (SolarWinds, NetFlow, etc.).
• Relevant Cisco certifications such as CCNP or CCIE strongly preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible).
• Exposure to cloud networking (AWS, Azure).
• Familiarity with SD-Access, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and modern enterprise architectures.
• Understanding of ITIL frameworks and change management processes.