Role Overview:

Design, implement, and support enterprise grade LAN, WAN, WLAN, and network security infrastructure across corporate offices, branch locations, and data centers. This role requires hands on expertise in Aruba networking solutions and Fortinet firewall technologies, ensuring high availability, scalability, and secure connectivity for mission critical environments.

Key Responsibilities:

- Enterprise Network Infrastructure: Architect, deploy, and maintain LAN/WAN/WLAN solutions with resilient network design and failover mechanisms.

- Aruba Networking Solutions: Configure and manage Aruba CX Core, Distribution, and Access Switches, Wireless Controllers, Access Points, and Instant On platforms.

- Layer 2 & Layer 3 Services: Implement VLANs, inter VLAN routing, static/dynamic routing, OSPF, BGP, and LACP port aggregation.

- Wireless Infrastructure: Manage SSIDs, RF optimization, roaming, authentication/encryption policies, performance tuning, and AP provisioning.

- Fortinet Firewall Administration: Configure firewall policies, NAT, IPSec/SSL VPN, UTM, IPS, antivirus/malware protection, URL/application filtering, HA, and security profiles.

- Secure Remote Connectivity: Deliver site to site VPN, remote access VPN, and ZTNA solutions for branch offices, remote users, and third party partners.

- Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Use enterprise monitoring tools to optimize availability, utilization, and performance; conduct RCA for outages, latency, and security incidents.

- Vendor & ISP Coordination: Collaborate with telecom providers and OEM vendors for incident resolution, WAN provisioning, hardware replacement, and escalation management.

- Maintenance & Upgrades: Perform firmware upgrades, patching, backups, and preventive maintenance across network/security devices.

- Security & Compliance: Enforce access control, segmentation, AAA services (RADIUS/TACACS+), and hardening best practices aligned with IT policies and audits.

- IP & Capacity Management: Administer IP schemes, subnet planning, DHCP/DNS, and capacity planning.

- Documentation: Maintain topology diagrams, rack layouts, IP inventories, configuration backups, ISP/circuit details, SOPs, RCA reports, and change records.

- Project Participation: Support rollouts, migrations, expansions, and technology refresh initiatives.

- Collaboration: Work closely with IT, application, and security teams to ensure seamless service delivery.

- Technical Support: Provide L2/L3 support for incidents and service requests within SLA timelines.

- PoE Infrastructure: Implement and troubleshoot PoE devices including APs, IP phones, and edge devices.

- Technology Evaluation: Assess emerging solutions to enhance performance, scalability, and security posture.

- Change Management: Participate in planning, risk assessment, implementation, and post change validation.

- Reporting: Generate reports on availability, bandwidth utilization, security events, incident trends, and performance metrics.

- Remote Support: Guide field engineers and onsite teams during installations, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

- 24x7 Coverage: Be available for planned maintenance and critical issue handling as part of operational requirements.

Mandatory Skills & Qualifications:

- Hands on experience with Aruba Switching/Wireless and Fortinet Firewalls.

- Strong knowledge of LAN, WAN, WLAN, routing, and switching technologies.

- Experience with Aruba Central, FortiCloud, SD WAN, and ZTNA.

- Expertise in troubleshooting, monitoring, firmware upgrades, and patch management.

- Strong documentation, analytical, and communication skills.

- Availability for critical incident support and 24x7 operations.

Preferred Skills:

- Knowledge of network automation (Python, Ansible, PowerShell).

- Familiarity with monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, Zabbix, Wireshark).

- Exposure to virtualization, data center networking, and multi site environments.

- Relevant certifications: Aruba, Fortinet, CCNA/CCNP, ITIL.