Senior Network Engineer – Cisco Wireless, ISE & Private LTE

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Senior Network Engineer Cisco Wireless ISE & Private LTE

Location: Onsite Manufacturing / Industrial Environment (Osceola AR)
Type: Contract (strong potential for extension or conversion)
Schedule: Onsite required (days per week to be confirmed)

12 Months COntract OR Direct Fulltime

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands on Senior Network Engineer with deep experience in Cisco enterprise wireless Cisco ISE and Meraki including certificate based authentication across wired and wireless environments. This role will support a large complex industrial network and requires someone who can step into an existing environment quickly understand the architecture and contribute immediately with minimal ramp up.

This position is not theoretical or advisory-it requires real world deployment experience and comfort working onsite in a manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Support enhance and troubleshoot a large scale enterprise wireless environment
• Administer and optimize Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for:
  • Wired and wireless 802.1X
  • Certificate based authentication
  • TACACS
  • Visitor access portals
• Manage and support:
  • Cisco 9800 wireless controllers
  • Cisco and Meraki access points
• Partner closely with internal IT and OT teams to ensure secure and reliable network access across industrial systems
• Troubleshoot authentication certificate and connectivity issues in complex environments
• Assist with documentation knowledge sharing and upskilling internal team members
• Contribute to roadmap discussions around Private LTE / 5G and future network initiatives
• Work directly in production environments to validate test and implement solutions

Required Technical Experience (Non Negotiable)

• Strong hands on experience with Cisco ISE in enterprise environments
  • Wired & wireless authentication
  • Certificate based environments
• Enterprise wireless experience supporting:
  • Cisco 9800 controllers
  • Cisco APs and Meraki APs
• Experience supporting networks with:
  • Hundreds of access points
  • Multiple wireless controllers
  • Large numbers of authenticated endpoints
• Proven ability to come into existing environments and operate independently
• Experience working in large complex enterprise networks

Preferred / Bonus Experience

• Experience in manufacturing industrial or OT environments
• Exposure to or hands on experience with:
  • Private LTE or Private 5G networks
  • Industrial networking use cases
• Familiarity working alongside:
  • OT engineers
  • Control systems teams
  • Plant operations
• Cisco certifications (CCNP CCIE track) are a plus but practical experience is valued more than credentials

Work Environment

• Onsite role in a steel manufacturing facility
• Must be comfortable:
  • Walking the plant floor
  • Climbing stairs
  • Working in hot and cold temperatures
• This role requires physical presence-remote only candidates will not be considered

Soft Skills & Cultural Fit (Critical)

• Self driven and proactive
• Strong communication skills
• Comfortable navigating IT vs. OT dynamics
• Thick skinned and professional under pressure
• Able to work through conflict without taking things personally
• Team oriented with a collaborative mindset

Contract Details

1 year contract

Then conversion

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has deep real world Cisco ISE and wireless experience
• Can walk into a complex environment and add value immediately
• Enjoys being hands on rather than purely architectural
• Is comfortable working onsite in industrial conditions
• Values collaboration and clear communication as much as technical skill