Packet Core Engineer_Ellenwood, GA; Hybrid & W2

Position: Packet Core Engineer

Location:
Ellenwood, GA (Hybrid)

Duration:
Contract (W2 only)

Job Description:

Role Context & Environment

• This role operates primarily in a lab / innovation environment, not a traditional production network.
• The candidate may not have direct access to live network devices.
• Access will be provided to a variety of lab equipment to design, test, and develop solutions.
• The team operates within Innovation / Next Gen development, where processes do not yet exist and must be created.
• Work involves integrating new solutions into existing SES services.

Core Networking Knowledge (Must-Have)

• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including:
• Routers and switches
• IP subnetting
• What a frame is
• Routing protocols (ability to explain concepts clearly)
• Ability to explain concepts such as:
• MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) / jumbo packets
• Candidate should demonstrate hands-on experience, not just theoretical or educational exposure.
• Resume should clearly differentiate practical experience vs. coursework or certifications.

Linux & Systems Skills (Critical)

• Linux is essential - candidate must be comfortable "living in Linux"
• Strong foundational skills in:
• Linux administration
• Basic virtualization concepts
• Kubernetes is used in the lab, but deep Kubernetes expertise is not required
• Cloud-native exposure is helpful, but not critical
• Cloud-specific expertise is covered by other team members

4G / 5G & Networking Stack

• Ideally some exposure to 4G / 5G networking
• If no direct 4G/5G experience:
• A strong network engineer with solid Linux skills is acceptable
• Internal training is available to bring them up to speed
• The team is actively building a 4G / 5G network for SES

Platforms & Tools

• Juniper networking equipment is used
• Platform-agnostic networking experience is acceptable
• Kubernetes is present in the lab environment
• Emphasis is on understanding and adaptability, not tool-specific mastery

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Broad-based network engineer with:
• Strong networking fundamentals
• Solid Linux skills
• Ability to learn quickly in an evolving environment
• Comfortable working in unstructured environments
• Able to understand new systems, create processes, and integrate solutions
• Good fit for someone with a few years of experience, supported by a training program

Job Summary

We are looking for a motivated Junior Network Engineer with 1-4 years of hands-on experience to join our enterprise network operations team. This is a 100% office-based LAN engineering role - no field work, no cabling, no racking hardware, no on- site break-fix visits.

You will maintain and troubleshoot a large-scale campus/branch LAN environment that is currently integrating private 4G/5G packet core user-plane traffic. No prior 4G/5G or mobile packet core knowledge is required - we will provide complete vendor-funded training. We care far more about rock-solid Layer 2/Layer 3 fundamentals and your enthusiasm to learn modern converged networks.

Key Responsibilities

- Daily operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the enterprise LAN

- Configuration and maintenance of campus/distribution/access switches and routers

- VLANs, trunking, spanning-tree (RSTP/MSTP), link aggregation (LACP/MLAG/VPC), QoS, ACLs

- Static and dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP/IS-IS where applicable)

- Resolve wired and wireless LAN connectivity issues for 5,+ users

- Implement approved changes (port configuration, firmware upgrades, security policies, etc.)

- Help integrate private 4G/5G packet core traffic into the enterprise LAN (UPFconnectivity, GTP tunneling, QoS mapping)

- Maintain accurate network documentation (diagrams, IP plans, configuration backups)

- Monitor performance and capacity using enterprise tools (e.g., Solar Winds, PRTG,Logic Monitor, Grafana, etc.)

- Collaborate on network access control (802.1X), segmentation, and micro-segmentation projects

- Actively participate in training on private 4G/5G packet core concepts

Required Skills & Experience

- Active CCNA or equivalent industry certification (CompTIA Network+, JNCIA, HCIA-R&S, etc.)

- 1-4 years of real-world enterprise LAN experience

- Strong hands-on knowledge of:

- Layer 2 switching (VLANs, trunking, STP variants, LACP)

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