Position: Senior Network Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL - Locals are preferred
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $110,000-130,000
Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: 6% Bonus Eligibility
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, PTO
This is a Full time, permanent position and is not open to sponsorship, 3rd party representation or H1B transfer at this time.
Are you a hands-on Network Engineer who enjoys solving complex challenges, improving systems, and owning network architecture from end to end?
This is a great opportunity to join a stable, well-established organization where your work directly impacts production, operations, and enterprise-wide connectivity.
In this role, you will design, build, secure, and support the network infrastructure that keeps a multi-site operation running smoothly. You will be the go-to technical expert for routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, and network security. If you enjoy variety, visibility, and working closely with both technical and non-technical teams, this environment will feel like a great fit.
⭐ What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting day-to-day operations of the enterprise network—troubleshooting issues, optimizing performance, and ensuring uptime.
- Administering and configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points.
- Designing and implementing network solutions to support new applications, projects, and technology upgrades.
- Analyzing network traffic and recommending improvements for future growth.
- Leading the implementation of cybersecurity best practices including VPNs, firewalls, IDS/IPS, and encryption.
- Monitoring network performance across both cloud and datacenter environments.
- Owning network documentation, change management records, and architecture diagrams.
- Serving as the escalation point for complex network and connectivity issues.
⭐ What’s In It for You
- High visibility and ownership of enterprise networking and security.
- Impactful work supporting both corporate and manufacturing operations.
- Stable environment with ongoing modernization and technology upgrades.
- Opportunities to influence architecture and introduce new solutions.
- Collaborative culture where IT, operations, and security partner closely.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Practical experience designing, implementing, and supporting network infrastructure.
- In depth experience with TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, and routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP).
- Hands-on experience with firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless networking equipment.
- Understanding of network security principles and cybersecurity best practices.
- Experience with network-related projects such as upgrades, migrations, or new builds.
- Solid troubleshooting skills and the ability to communicate effectively across teams.
- Manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or multi-site environments
- Teams where you’ve supported both hands-on hardware work and high-level design
Overview: Sterling Engineering / Staffing has a rich history of delivering top talent to our clients. We are a nationwide Staffing Firm that has been in business for over 56 years. With over 200 currently active clients, Sterling works within the Automation, Energy, Facilities, Information Technology, Food, Logistics / Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Packaging, Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering and R&D industries.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.