Senior Network Engineer
Location: Sandton

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for the design and implementation of network architectures, including LAN’s and WAN’s. The incumbent will further be required to make decisions that are critical in the areas of throughput analysis and infrastructure planning. This individual will be responsible for Groups Networks and related voice services. The Senior Network Engineer will deal with the day to day technical issues and support of the infrastructure. The individual will deal with all operational aspects of the communication infrastructure. Proactively monitor and identify possible feature problems and proactively avert troublesome trends as they develop. Ensures a stable performance environment for the enterprise communication systems. Assist senior engineer with design and network engineering modernisations and provide specifications and detailed schematics for network architecture. The individual will keep all operational network infrastructure and process documentation updated and current. This individual will provide support for the following systems including but not limited to: Aruba switches and WiFi Infrastructure, WiFi network infrastructure, QOS solutions, Network Reticulation and related software and administrative and reporting tools.

Responsibilities:

Network engineering and provisioning
Design and plan network engineering modernizations and provide specifications and detailed schematics for network architecture.
Apply design solutions to various environments found within different business divisions.
Install new / rebuild existing networks and configure hardware, peripherals, services, WiFi, settings, VLAN's, software, etc. in accordance with standards and project/operational requirements.
Configures, tests, and maintains LAN, WiFi and related services.
Maintain installation and configuration procedures.
Contribute to and maintain Wifi System and Network standards.

Installations
Create and maintain automated installations for desktops and laptops.

Management of networks
Co-ordination, configuration, installation and management of all Networks (WAN/LAN) and related client services within the enterprise.
Clustering and load balancing.
Conduct infrastructure planning.
Ensure that the required modifications are made to designs, configurations and architecture of existing infrastructure to ensure optimum use of all hardware and software resources.
Conduct regular reviews and revisions of the Capacity Plan, in line with the organisation’s business planning cycle, identifying current usage and forecast requirements during the period covered by the plan
Proactively improving service availability wherever possible, and optimising the availability of the IT Infrastructure to deliver cost-effective improvements that deliver tangible benefits to the business.
Research knowledge of future demand for IT services and predict the effects of demand on performance service levels.
Provide direction for future capacity requirements based on business plans, usage trends, sizing of new services.

Problem resolution and Maintenance
Identification and resolution of hardware and software technical problems and malfunctions related to both LAN’s and WAN’s.
Support Network Engineers to apply patches, upgrades and firmware revisions on a regular basis, and upgrade administrative tools and utilities. Configure / add new services as necessary.
Upgrade and configure system software and hardware that supports infrastructure and networks as per project or operational needs.
Maintain operational, configuration, or other procedures.
Maintain systems and networks environmental equipment for sites

Project Management
Highlight and implement pro-active action plans to meet business objectives.
Assist with the co-ordination of stakeholder meetings.
Report regularly on progress.
Pro-actively highlight issues and milestones that may not be achieved.
Be committed to meeting deadlines as required by the business units.

IT Operations and Support
Manage and promote relationships with key stakeholders including Management, 3rd-party vendors and other groups within the organisation.
Remain abreast of technology and provide technology through leadership, which is embodied in the IT strategy and architecture.
Convert the network from a Class B to a segmented Class C network infrastructure.
Ensure that all projects include engineering solutions that meets the current architectural standards.
Document Engineering Installation Plans for each phase of the project that will touch the production network.
Support of Cisco / HP ProCurve / 3Com, LAN and WAN problems of current and any new sites.
Assist with QoS design to a traffic port level.
Perform support functions, including offering technical advice and assistance to the team.
Perform daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all networks and voice, system resources and key processes, reviewing system and network logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs.
Perform regular security monitoring to identify any possible intrusions.
Identifies, diagnoses, and resolves network and voice problems and log necessary support calls with 3rd parties.
Create, maintain and support network VLAN's, ports and configurations
Support and maintain WiFi networks.
Maintain and support voice systems and configurations and backups.
Provide Tier 1 and 2/other support per request from various departments and business units. Investigate and troubleshoot issues.
Repair and recover from network or WiFi system failures. Coordinate and communicate with Line management.

Enterprise communication system
Ensure a stable performance environment for the enterprise communication system.

Ensure effective Communication
Co-ordinate meetings between various stakeholders.
Ensure regular communication on all issues.
Reporting, escalation, assisting and feedback of connectivity problems.
Encourage a culture of teamwork and support.
Provide regular feedback to Line Management.

Knowledge of:
Working knowledge of Active Directory 2000-2008.
Working knowledge of Exchange 2000-2007.
Working knowledge of ISA 2000-2006.
Working knowledge of Terminal Services 2000-2008.
Working knowledge of Citrix 1.8-4.5.
Working knowledge of Clustering/Load balancing.
Working knowledge DFAS/DFR-R.
Working knowledge of TCP\IP protocol
Good understanding of WiFi standards and ability to troubleshoot large WiFi environments
Been involved in large WiFi deployments using Aruba Clearpass
Administration of VLAN's and SSID
Good working knowledge of Clearpass and Airwave
Deployment of Quality of Service (QoS)
Monitoring and Management systems
RF surveys and rouge WiFi mitigation
HP \ Aruba Networking
Aruba Airwave
Aruba Cloud Central
WiFi Certification

Requirements:
A qualification in the IT field at a NQF level 7 is essential
5 years’ experience in an IT network environment.
2-4 years Wifi Systems experience