Network Engineer

Network Engineer 6mo Contract to hire REMOTETitle: Senior Network Engineer (load balancing emphasis) Work location: Telecommute or Plymouth, MN Hours: Typically 8am-4pm Central M-F but some night/weekend work is necessary to accommodate system changes during non-peak hours. Interviews: Three interviews after which a decision will be made: 1. A 30 minute initial screen with recruiter 2. A 30 minute initial screen with hiring manager 3. A 1 hour technical group interview with engineering team members (potential colleagues) Job Description: • Maintain a large inventory of application delivery controllers (load balancers - F5, A10, AVI, NGINX, etc) alongside a team of engineering colleagues (10 U.S. based engineers and 10 International engineers on the team) • Positively contribute to over 99.99%+ application uptime by deploying load balancers and configuring load balanced applications • Effectively troubleshoot complex network layer 1-7 issues while clearly and concisely communicating status updates to stakeholders until resolution • Execute assigned projects in a timely manner without causing application impact while following change control process requirements (projects such as: load balancer software or hardware upgrades amongst others) • Engineer innovative ways to solve problems and build helpful tools using scripting/automation focus with a software engineering mindset • Automate repeatable tasks using scripting languages and/or Ansible/Chef/Puppet/Jenkins/etc tools • Document topology diagrams and MOPs for repeatable manual engineering tasks • Secure applications from malicious HTTP/S traffic using web application firewalls • Respond to high priority on-call engagements within 15 minutes in a rotation one out of every 4 weeks from 8am to 8pm Central • Able to work occasional weekends and nights during off hour change windows as necessary to support the business • Generally work is self-directed and not prescribed • Works with less structured, more complex issues • Serves as a resource to others Qualifications: • Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience • 3+ years experience troubleshooting and maintaining application delivery controllers (load balancers) • 4+ years experience troubleshooting and maintaining other network appliances (switches, routers, firewalls, proxies, etc) • 1+ years experience automating network infrastructure tasks • Advanced knowledge of HTTP, SSL/TLS, DNS, switching and routing What does the ideal candidate background look like (ex: healthcare specific background, etc.)? Load balancing (aka application delivery), network engineering, DNS, and/or security backgrounds are ideal, in that order, does not matter which industry. Of the required skills listed, which would you consider the top 3? Please list your expectations regarding years of experience for each requirement. a. 2+ years experience troubleshooting and maintaining application delivery controllers (load balancers) b. 2+ years experience troubleshooting and maintaining other network appliances (switches, routers, firewalls, proxies, etc) What experience will set candidates apart from one another? Significant load balancing experience (on products such as F5, AVI, Kemp, A10, etc industry load balancers) What does the team structure look like - how many members and what is the break-down of the teams skill sets (ex: 1 PM, 4 Developers, etc.)? a. 10 U.S. based load balancer engineers with 1 manager (this position reports to this manager) i. skilled in scripting, network engineering/security, load balancing, https, dns b. 10 International load balancer engineers with 1 manager i. skilled in scripting, network engineering/security, load balancing, https, dns c. 1 agile practitioner and 1 PMEEO Employer Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .