Information Technology Infrastructure Specialist

Specialist, Information Technology Infrastructure

Department: Information Technology / Network Infrastructure

Focus: Manufacturing and Operational Technology (OT) Networks

Experience Level: Mid-Level

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Network Specialist to support, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure across multiple manufacturing facilities and corporate locations.

The ideal candidate will have practical experience with Cisco routing and switching, Palo Alto Networks firewalls, Panorama, Prisma SD-WAN (ION), and Extreme Networks wireless infrastructure.

This position focuses on maintaining reliable and secure network connectivity for production manufacturing systems, OT environments, and corporate operations. The engineer will work closely with IT, manufacturing, and plant operations teams to resolve network issues, perform maintenance, and support infrastructure improvements while minimizing production disruptions.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing and OT Network Support

• Support and troubleshoot network infrastructure across manufacturing facilities, production floors, and corporate locations.

• Maintain reliable connectivity for manufacturing equipment, production workstations, HMIs, and other OT-connected devices.

• Support IT/OT network segmentation, network security, and infrastructure improvements.

• Coordinate maintenance and network changes with plant operations to minimize production downtime.

Cisco Routing and Switching

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco Catalyst 9200/9300 switches running Cisco IOS XE.

• Perform IOS XE software upgrades, switch stacking, configuration backups, and hardware replacements.

• Troubleshoot Layer 2/Layer 3 networking, including VLANs, trunking, STP, EtherChannel, static routing, OSPF, and ACLs.

• Support network segmentation, inter-VLAN routing, and connectivity between manufacturing and corporate networks.

Palo Alto Networks Firewalls and Panorama

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks firewalls using Panorama and PAN-OS.

• Manage security policies, NAT, routing, security zones, device groups, templates, and configuration deployments.

• Perform PAN-OS upgrades, firewall maintenance, and support high-availability (HA) configurations.

• Manage SSL/TLS certificates, including renewals, replacements, and troubleshooting certificate-related issues.

• Support firewall-based segmentation between corporate IT and manufacturing OT networks.

GlobalProtect VPN and Prisma SD-WAN

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Palo Alto GlobalProtect remote-access VPN, including portals, gateways, authentication, and client connectivity.

• Troubleshoot VPN routing, split tunneling, DNS, and certificate-related issues.

• Monitor and support Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN ION appliances, including WAN connectivity, circuit health, routing, and failover.

• Assist with SD-WAN configuration changes, software updates, and troubleshooting between manufacturing facilities.

Extreme Networks Wireless

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Extreme Networks wireless infrastructure using ExtremeCloud IQ.

• Manage access points, SSIDs, VLAN assignments, wireless policies, and authentication.

• Troubleshoot wireless connectivity, roaming, coverage, and performance issues affecting manufacturing devices.

Network Operations

• Troubleshoot LAN, WAN, VPN, wireless, firewall, and routing issues using CLI tools, logs, packet captures, and network monitoring platforms.

• Perform routine maintenance, software upgrades, configuration changes, and equipment replacements.

• Maintain network documentation, diagrams, IP address inventories, and configuration backups.

• Coordinate with ISPs, vendors, and internal teams to resolve network incidents and support infrastructure projects.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on network administration or engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.

• Strong knowledge of Cisco Catalyst switching, IOS XE, VLANs, routing, and Layer 2/Layer 3 troubleshooting.

• Hands-on experience with Palo Alto Networks firewalls, Panorama, security policies, NAT, and VPN connectivity.

• Working knowledge of GlobalProtect, Prisma SD-WAN ION appliances, and Extreme Networks wireless infrastructure.

• Familiarity with firewall software upgrades, SSL/TLS certificate management, and network segmentation.

• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, subnetting, and network troubleshooting.

• Ability to work independently, document network changes, and coordinate maintenance around production schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cisco CCNA/CCNP and Palo Alto Networks certifications, or equivalent practical experience.

• Familiarity with manufacturing OT networks, cybersecurity principles, VRFs, BGP, and advanced routing.

• Knowledge of network automation tools such as Python or Ansible is a plus.

• Cloud networking experience with Microsoft Azure or AWS is a plus.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, SAML authentication, and network monitoring tools.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Network Specialist with strong networking fundamentals and practical experience supporting Cisco, Palo Alto, and wireless infrastructure in a production manufacturing environment.

This individual should be comfortable troubleshooting network connectivity, performing Cisco IOS XE upgrades, managing Palo Alto firewalls through Panorama, supporting GlobalProtect VPN, and troubleshooting Prisma SD-WAN connectivity.

We are looking for someone who can independently manage day-to-day network operations, understand the importance of manufacturing uptime, and work with senior engineering staff on more complex infrastructure projects.