Sr. Cloud Network Engineer (Contract – Onsite – Kansas City, MO)

A pioneering technology organization is actively seeking a highly skilled and strategic Sr. Cloud Network Engineer (Contract – Onsite – Kansas City, MO) to join their forward-thinking team. This contract position, based onsite in Kansas City, Missouri, is crucial for maintaining the stability, security, and efficiency of a complex multi-cloud network infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess extensive hands-on experience with multi-cloud networking, a profound understanding of intricate network protocols, cloud network peering, and robust cloud security services. A proven track record in troubleshooting and optimizing cloud network performance is essential for aligning successfully with the organization’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and operational excellence.

Sr. Cloud Network Engineer (Contract – Onsite – Kansas City, MO)

Location: Kansas City, MO – This is an Onsite role, requiring daily presence at the designated facility.

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Computer and Mathematical

What You’ll Be Doing: Core Responsibilities in Multi-Cloud Network Engineering

As a Sr. Cloud Network Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the entire lifecycle of the organization’s cloud network infrastructure. Your responsibilities will span strategic design, meticulous deployment, proactive management, and continuous optimization across multiple leading cloud platforms.

• Design, Deploy, and Manage Multi-Cloud Network Infrastructure: You will take a leading role in the design, deployment, and ongoing management of cloud-based network infrastructure across a diverse ecosystem of platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This involves translating business requirements into scalable, secure, and resilient network architectures tailored for each cloud environment.
• Configure and Maintain Virtual Networks and Security: You will expertly configure and maintain virtual networks (VPCs/VNETs), subnets, and security groups. This ensures optimal performance, strict security posture, and efficient resource allocation within each cloud provider’s network. Your work will directly impact how applications communicate and how data is protected.
• Deploy VPC and VNET Cloud Network Boundaries and Policies: You will be responsible for deploying Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Virtual Network (VNET) cloud network boundaries and their associated security and routing policies. This involves creating logically isolated network segments within the cloud and implementing rules that govern traffic flow, access controls, and connectivity, acting as a foundational layer of cloud security and organization.
• Deploy and Maintain Cloud Network Peering and Routing Services: A critical duty involves deploying and maintaining cloud network peering and advanced routing services. This includes configuring solutions like Azure Virtual WAN (vWAN) and AWS Transit Gateways to establish efficient and scalable connectivity between multiple virtual networks, on-premises environments, and other cloud services. These services are vital for building complex, hub-and-spoke or mesh network topologies in the cloud.
• Configure and Deploy Cloud Load Balancing and Security Services: You will configure and deploy various cloud network load balancing and security services. This encompasses implementing cloud-native firewalls (e.g., Azure Firewall, AWS WAF), Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), and other security mechanisms to protect cloud-hosted applications and infrastructure from cyber threats, ensuring high availability and robust defense.
• Deploy Cloud Network Configurations Utilizing Infrastructure as Code (IaC): You will be highly proficient in deploying cloud network configurations utilizing Infrastructure as Code (IaC), with a specific emphasis on Terraform. This involves writing, managing, and versioning declarative code to provision and manage network resources across cloud platforms, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and efficient change management.
• Develop and Implement Comprehensive Cloud Network Architecture: You will be instrumental in developing and implementing complex cloud network architecture. This ensures seamless and secure connectivity between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services. Your expertise will extend to implementing private connectivity solutions like Azure ExpressRoute and AWS Direct Connect, as well as leveraging cloud network exchanges such as Equinix and Megaport for high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnections.
• Collaborate for Scalable and Resilient Network Solutions: You will actively collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., development, operations, security, application owners) to design and implement highly scalable and resilient network solutions. This ensures that network designs align with application requirements, support anticipated growth, and incorporate robust redundancy and disaster recovery strategies.
• Monitor and Analyze Cloud Network Performance: You will continuously monitor and analyze cloud network performance, proactively identifying and resolving issues to ensure high availability and reliability. This involves using native cloud monitoring tools, network performance management (NPM) solutions, and log analytics to detect anomalies, troubleshoot bottlenecks, and optimize network traffic flow.
• Implement Strategies for Optimization and Recovery: You will implement advanced strategies for load balancing, auto-scaling, and disaster recovery to optimize resource utilization and ensure business continuity. This involves configuring auto-scaling groups, implementing failover mechanisms, and designing recovery plans that minimize downtime in the event of outages or disasters.
• Provide Technical Support for Cloud Network Issues: You will provide expert-level technical support for cloud-related network issues, working closely with other IT teams to promptly and effectively resolve incidents. This includes acting as an escalation point, performing deep-dive troubleshooting, and guiding other teams through complex cloud networking problems.
• Document and Maintain Network Configurations and Procedures: You will meticulously document and maintain network configurations, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides. This is critical for knowledge transfer, ensuring consistency in operations, facilitating onboarding, and establishing a robust knowledge base for the entire cloud operations team.
• Collaborate for Seamless Cloud Service Integration: You will collaborate effectively with system administrators, developers, and other IT staff to ensure the seamless integration of cloud services with existing applications and infrastructure. This requires strong communication and a holistic understanding of IT systems.
• Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders: You will communicate effectively with stakeholders across various levels of the organization to gather requirements, provide regular updates on network status and projects, and address any concerns proactively.
• Respond to Network Incidents and Outages: You will respond promptly to network incidents and outages within the cloud environment. This involves quick diagnosis, conducting thorough root cause analysis, and implementing effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence and minimize impact.
• Assist Network Operations Team: You will assist the Network Operations team in the installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the broader LAN, WAN, and wireless network environments, demonstrating versatility and a collaborative spirit across all network domains.
• Identify and Analyze New Technologies: You will actively identify and analyze new technologies and alternative systems to continuously enhance network security, reliability, and the overall customer experience. This involves staying abreast of industry trends and making data-driven recommendations for technological adoption.

Qualifications: What You’ll Bring to the Role

To excel as a Sr. Cloud Network Engineer, you will bring a robust blend of formal education, extensive practical experience, and specialized certifications in cloud networking.

• Educational Foundation: A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is highly preferred. However, applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement if it clearly demonstrates equivalent knowledge and capabilities in cloud network engineering.
• Relevant Certifications (Plus): Possession of relevant certifications is a significant plus, demonstrating validated expertise in cloud platforms. This includes certifications such as Azure Fundamentals, Azure Network Engineer Associate, AWS Cloud Practitioner, or other equivalent cloud networking certifications.
• Significant Microsoft Azure Experience: You must possess significant experience building and managing networks in Microsoft Azure. This indicates deep hands-on expertise with Azure Virtual Networks, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateways, Network Security Groups, Azure Firewall, Load Balancers, and other Azure-specific networking components.
• Strong Understanding of Cloud Computing Concepts: A strong understanding of cloud computing concepts, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS models, cloud security principles, and the shared responsibility model, is essential. You should also have a firm grasp of virtualization technologies and core networking protocols.
• Terraform for Cloud Network Configurations: You must have proven experience deploying cloud network configurations using Terraform. This signifies your proficiency in Infrastructure as Code for automating network resource provisioning and management in the cloud.
• Network Security Practices Expertise: You will have solid experience with network security practices, including configuring and managing firewalls, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), and encryption technologies to secure cloud connectivity and data in transit/at rest.
• Multi-Cloud Connectivity Experience: Direct experience with multi-cloud connectivity is a key requirement, demonstrating your ability to design and implement secure and efficient network interconnections between different cloud providers and on-premises environments.
• Ability to Influence or Lead Enterprise Integration: You will possess a strong ability to influence or lead enterprise integration project execution. This indicates leadership potential, strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration, and the capacity to drive complex technical projects to successful completion.
• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: You will exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving skills, enabling you to dissect complex cloud network issues, identify root causes, and formulate effective, data-driven solutions quickly.
• On-Call Availability: The role requires the ability to be on-call after-hours on a rotating basis, ensuring continuous support for critical network incidents and outages.

Preferred Qualifications (Adding Further Value):

While the above are essential, candidates with the following experience will be highly regarded:

• Experience Across All Four Major Cloud Platforms: Direct experience with cloud-based network infrastructure in all four major cloud platforms – Azure, AWS, GCP, and OCI.
• LAN, WAN, and Wireless Management: Proven experience managing LAN, WAN, and wireless networks in addition to cloud environments.
• SD-WAN Technology: Familiarity or experience with SD-WAN technology (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) for optimizing branch office connectivity and network performance.
• Containerization Technologies: Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes and their networking implications.
• Advanced Networking Certifications: Additional certification in relevant networking technologies such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) or CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator).
• In-Depth Protocol Knowledge: Even more in-depth knowledge of core networking protocols and technologies beyond the required, including TCP/IP, VLANs, OSPF, BGP, etc.
• Enterprise DNS Solutions: Experience with enterprise DNS solutions such as Cloudflare for global traffic management and security.
• Cisco and Meraki Hardware: Hands-on experience with Cisco and Meraki network hardware.
• Network Automation Tools: Broader experience with various network automation tools beyond just Terraform.

If you are an accomplished Sr. Cloud Network Engineer seeking a challenging and impactful contract opportunity in Kansas City, MO, to drive multi-cloud network innovation and ensure operational excellence, we encourage you to explore this role. This is an unparalleled chance to lead, implement, and optimize critical cloud infrastructure within a leading technology organization.

To learn more and potentially embark on this exciting career path, click “Apply Now.” A dedicated recruiter will be in touch with you promptly to discuss this outstanding opportunity in greater detail, answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the application process. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring how your expertise can contribute to our team’s success!