Position: Network Infrastructure Engineer

Location: Jackson, MS-Onsite

The SME must possess:

Minimum of 15 years of experience working with Cisco networking.

Complete Description:

Seeking a highly skilled and experienced Network Infrastructure Engineer to support and advance the State s enterprise networking environment. This position plays a critical role in designing, deploying, and operating new LDC (Liquor Distribution Center) fabrics, networks, identity-driven access systems, and observability platforms.

The engineer will work closely with infrastructure team to ensure the State s network services remain reliable, scalable, secure, and aligned with enterprise modernization goals. This is a hands-on engineering position that requires strong technical expertise, effective communication, and the ability to support mission-critical systems across data centers and statewide operations.

This position is responsible for the design, implementation, security, and ongoing support of OIT s enterprise data center and campus network infrastructure. The engineer will work with Cisco ACI, SoftwareDefined Access (SDA), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Cisco Catalyst platforms, and observability tools including ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, and DNA Spaces. The role also includes the administration of Palo Alto firewalls supporting statewide systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Cisco ACI & Data Center Networking

Design, implement, and maintain Cisco Nexus platforms running ACI mode, including VRFs, Bridge
Domains, EPGs/ESGs, L3Out, contracts, and fabric policies.
Integrate ACI with virtualization and container platforms including Red Hat OpenShift VMM and Isovalent/Cilium.
Configure and optimize RoCEv2 within the ACI fabric for high-performance, low-latency workloads.
Conduct advanced troubleshooting of ACI fabric health, faults, endpoint learning, contracts, and multi-tenant segmentation.
Develop and maintain fabric documentation, standards, and operational procedures.

Cisco Catalyst & Software-Defined Access

Deploy and support Cisco Catalyst platforms within campus environments.
Design and maintain Software-Defined Access (SDA) architectures, including SDA Wired Fabric and Fabric-Enabled Wireless.
Manage fabric underlay and overlay, policy mapping, authentication integrations, and assurance operations.
Collaborate with wireless engineers to optimize coverage, performance, and policy enforcement across SDA.
Identity-Driven Networking & Security Technologies
Configure and administer Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for TACACS+ device administration, authentication and authorization policy sets, and endpoint profiling.
Integrate Cyber Vision intelligence into profiling, segmentation, and access control workflows.
Support Zero Trust efforts through identity-centric segmentation and policy integration across ACI and SDA fabrics.

Visibility, Analytics & Observability

Deploy and manage ThousandEyes for end-to-end visibility, routing path analysis, and performance monitoring.
Implement and support Cisco Cyber Vision for OT/IoT asset visibility, device classification, and behaviour analysis.
Manage DNA Spaces for location analytics, telemetry ingestion, device behaviour, and wireless intelligence.
Provide meaningful insights to leadership using data from these observability platforms.

Core Network Engineering

Troubleshoot complex L2/L3 network issues across multiple environments including VLANs, OSPF, BGP, STP, and multicast.
Designing and implementing Palo Alto Networks security solutions across enterprise environments.
Create and maintain documentation including architecture diagrams, standards, runbooks, and asset inventories.
Assist in modernization planning, platform upgrades, procurement processes, and statewide technology initiatives.

Other duties as assigned.

Major Responsibilities

Cisco ACI fabric design and administration (VRF, BD, EPG/ESG, L3Out).
ACI integrations with OpenShift VMM and Cilium/Isovalent.
Catalyst and SDA wired/wireless fabric deployment and support.
Identitydriven access configuration using Cisco ISE (TACACS+, authentication/authorization, device profiling).
ThousandEyes monitoring, Cyber Vision integration, and DNA Spaces analytics.
Palo Alto nextgeneration firewall configuration, policy development, and troubleshooting.
Network documentation, lifecycle planning, and support of missioncritical services.

Required Knowledge/Skills

Cisco ACI, Nexus platforms, multi tenant segmentation.
SDA campus architectures.
Cisco ISE policy sets and NAC.
Palo Alto firewall administration and security profiles.
Strong L2/L3 routing and switching skills.
Ability to support high availability, enterprise scale infrastructure.

Recommended Certifications

CCNA
CCNP Data Center
CCNP Enterprise
Cisco Specialist ACI, SDA, or ISE
PCNSA (Palo Alto)
PCNSE (Palo Alto)
ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, or related platform training

Required Skills & Qualifications

Hands-on experience with Cisco ACI in production environments.

Deep knowledge of ACI constructs (VRF, BD, EPG, ESG, L3Out, contracts).

Experience integrating ACI with OpenShift VMM and Cilium/Isovalent.

Proficiency with Cisco Catalyst platforms and SDA fabric technologies.

Experience administering Cisco ISE including TACACS+ and policy-set based NAC.

Strong understanding of ThousandEyes, Cyber Vision, and DNA Spaces or comparable tools.

Solid command of core TCP/IP, routing, switching, QoS, and network security fundamentals.

Ability to develop clear diagrams, documentation, and architectural artifacts.

Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.

Preferred Skills:

Cisco certifications such as CCNP Data Center, CCNP Enterprise, CCIE, or equivalent experience.

Hands-on experience with container networking and virtualization integrations.

Familiarity with NIST frameworks and state-level cybersecurity requirements.

Experience with network automation tools (Python, Ansible, REST APIs).

Prior work in state government or large enterprise network environments.

PCCSA Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate

Foundational security, NGFW basics, threats, App-ID, and policy.

PCNSA Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator

Focuses on NGFW configuration, security profiles, NAT, App-ID, URL filtering, WildFire

Best Regards

Rob | VLS Systems Inc.

Work : | |

Head Office : 4080 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 300 | Chantilly | VA 20151

Must be Mississippi Resident Only || Network Infrastructure Engineer

Key skills

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