Nesco Data Center is seeking a Sr Network Solutions Engineer in the Greater Elk Grove IL area.

Network Engineer – Data Center & Critical Infrastructure

Position Overview

The Network Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, supporting, securing, and maintaining the network infrastructure that supports data center operations and critical facility systems.

This individual will provide technical ownership of the networks connecting operational technology (OT), facility management platforms, and critical infrastructure systems. These environments may include Building Management Systems (Client), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), environmental monitoring, physical security systems, access control, surveillance, and other technologies essential to the safe and reliable operation of mission-critical facilities.

The Network Engineer will work closely with Construction, Data Center Operations, Facilities Management, IT, Information Security, engineering teams, customers, vendors, and third-party service providers. The position will support network infrastructure throughout the lifecycle of a facility, from construction and commissioning through ongoing operations and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Network Infrastructure

• Design, install, configure, administer, and support network infrastructure within data center and critical facility environments.

• Configure and maintain switches, routers, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, and other network technologies.

• Support highly available and resilient network environments designed to meet operational, security, and compliance requirements.

• Assist with network architecture, capacity planning, segmentation, and infrastructure upgrades.

• Support environments subject to security and compliance standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and other applicable requirements.

Operational Technology & Critical Facility Systems

Provide network engineering and technical support for operational technology and facility-related systems, including:

• Building Management Systems (Client)

• Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS)

• Environmental and facility monitoring platforms

• Physical access control systems

• Video surveillance and security systems

• UPS, generator, cooling, and power monitoring platforms

• Data center infrastructure monitoring and management systems

• Other network-connected operational and facility equipment

Work closely with facility and engineering teams to ensure these systems maintain reliable, secure, and highly available connectivity.

Network Monitoring & Performance

• Monitor network performance, traffic, bandwidth utilization, latency, packet loss, interface errors, and overall device health.

• Identify potential network issues before they impact critical operations.

• Troubleshoot connectivity, performance, and infrastructure issues across network and operational technology environments.

• Utilize monitoring, logging, and traffic analysis tools to maintain visibility into network performance and availability.

• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing downtime and improving network reliability.

Network & Operational Technology Security

• Implement and maintain security controls designed to protect network infrastructure, operational technology systems, and critical facility environments.

• Support network segmentation, least-privilege access, secure authentication, remote access controls, and other cybersecurity best practices.

• Assist with vulnerability identification, risk assessments, remediation planning, patch coordination, and validation activities.

• Participate in security monitoring and incident response activities involving network and operational systems.

• Balance cybersecurity requirements with the availability and operational needs of mission-critical infrastructure.

Vendor & Remote Access Management

• Work directly with equipment manufacturers, vendors, system integrators, and third-party service providers.

• Support secure third-party and vendor remote access to network and operational systems.

• Ensure remote access is properly authenticated, authorized, segmented, monitored, and restricted to appropriate systems.

• Assist with evaluating vendors and technical solutions supporting critical infrastructure.

Incident Response & Troubleshooting

• Respond to network outages, connectivity issues, performance degradation, and other incidents impacting critical operations.

• Assist with cybersecurity incidents affecting network or operational technology systems.

• Support containment, investigation, recovery, and restoration efforts following technical or security incidents.

• Participate in root cause analysis and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

• Participate in the development and maintenance of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures for critical network and operational systems.

• Support testing and validation of recovery procedures.

• Help identify single points of failure and recommend improvements to increase network resiliency and recoverability.

Change & Configuration Management

• Develop implementation plans and technical procedures for significant network changes.

• Perform risk assessments and establish testing, validation, and rollback procedures.

• Maintain standardized network configurations and configuration baselines.

• Follow established change management and incident management processes.

• Ensure emergency network changes are properly documented and reviewed.

Documentation & Asset Management

• Develop and maintain accurate network architecture and topology diagrams.

• Maintain documentation for network configurations, connectivity, and critical systems.

• Track network equipment and assets, including manufacturer, model, serial number, location, IP address, firmware version, warranty information, and lifecycle status where applicable.

• Maintain records necessary to support troubleshooting, security reviews, compliance assessments, and audits.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Support technical risk assessments involving new and existing network and operational systems.

• Identify potential risks and assist in developing practical remediation or risk-treatment plans.

• Participate in security and compliance reviews for new systems and significant infrastructure changes.

• Work with IT, Information Security, Compliance, and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate technical and security requirements are met.

• Maintain documentation necessary to support internal and external audits.

Technical Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource for network architecture, connectivity, cybersecurity, and operational technology requirements.

• Work collaboratively with Construction, Operations, Facilities Management, IT, Information Security, engineering teams, customers, and vendors.

• Participate in planning and technical reviews for new data center facilities, expansions, system replacements, and technology modernization initiatives.

• Provide technical guidance to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Stay informed on emerging networking technologies, cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, vendor advisories, and industry best practices relevant to data center and critical infrastructure environments.

Travel Requirements

This position may require travel to data center and customer locations as necessary to support installations, troubleshooting, project activities, and other business requirements.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policies.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.

• Equivalent combinations of professional experience, technical training, and certifications will be considered.

• Approximately 7–10 years of experience supporting and administering enterprise network environments.

• Experience supporting networks within data centers, critical facilities, industrial environments, or other highly available environments strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Technical Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate experience with:

• TCP/IP networking and Layer 2 and Layer 3 network architecture

• Enterprise switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless infrastructure

• VPN technologies and secure remote connectivity

• VLANs, ACLs, routing, switching, and network segmentation

• Network troubleshooting and performance analysis

• Network security principles and defense-in-depth strategies

• Secure authentication and least-privilege access

• Network monitoring and logging tools

• Syslog, SNMP, NetFlow, and similar network analysis technologies

• Vulnerability management and configuration hardening

• Security monitoring and incident response

• Formal change management and configuration management processes

• Highly available and resilient network environments

• Operational Technology (OT) and critical infrastructure environments

• Cybersecurity frameworks and standards applicable to enterprise and OT systems

• APIs, system integrations, and modern technology communication standards

• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled platforms and communications, is a plus

Professional Skills

The successful candidate should possess:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.

• The ability to evaluate technical risks and recommend practical solutions.

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and technical issues simultaneously.

• An understanding of the balance between cybersecurity requirements and the operational availability requirements of mission-critical facilities.

• Strong organizational and documentation skills.

• The ability to travel to customer and data center locations and install or support physical network equipment when required.

• The ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive technical and business information.

Preferred Certifications

Relevant certifications are preferred but not required. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Preferred certifications may include:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

• CompTIA Network+

• CompTIA Security+

• GIAC or other cybersecurity and OT security certifications

• Fortinet certifications

• Palo Alto Networks certifications

• Check Point certifications

• Cisco security or networking certifications

• Other relevant certifications related to networking, cybersecurity, data centers, critical infrastructure, or Operational Technology

Nesco Resource offers a comprehensive benefits package for our associates, which includes a MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) plan that encompasses Medical, Vision, Dental, 401K, and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services.

Nesco Resource provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.