Network Engineer

About the role

Vulcan Elements is dedicated to manufacturing American-made rare-earth permanent magnets, which are essential components for national security and economic resilience. The company's focus spans critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive, contributing to the development of advanced, high-tech solutions. As a Network Engineer, you will play a vital role in designing, implementing, and maintaining the company's network infrastructure. Your responsibilities will include ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient connectivity across both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments. This position requires a proactive approach to network security, performance monitoring, and compliance with federal standards, including NIST and CMMC. You will work closely with engineering, operations, and IT teams to support automation, manufacturing systems, and security protocols, ensuring the company's network infrastructure supports its strategic objectives.

Key facts

The role involves working on-site at the company's Research Triangle Park location, supporting both office and manufacturing network environments. The position is full-time, with a focus on maintaining and enhancing network systems critical to the company's operations. The team you'll join is the Network Engineering Team, which is responsible for the design, deployment, and ongoing management of the company's network infrastructure. The company emphasizes security, compliance, and operational efficiency, making this role integral to its success. The position does not specify a salary in the source, but competitive compensation and benefits are offered.

What you'll do

• Design, develop, and deploy local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), and wireless local area networks (WLAN) across the company's facilities, utilizing Cisco Meraki and Ubiquiti UniFi hardware.
• Manage and support segmented OT and IT networks that underpin industrial control systems, ensuring these networks are secure, reliable, and compliant with industry standards.
• Develop, implement, and enforce network security policies aligned with NIST 800-171 and CMMC requirements, including access controls, incident response procedures, and security best practices.
• Configure and maintain network security appliances such as firewalls, VLANs, and micro-segmentation policies to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and sensitive manufacturing data from cyber threats.
• Monitor network performance continuously, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and perform root cause analysis to resolve outages or performance bottlenecks in both IT and OT environments.
• Set up and manage secure remote access solutions, including VPNs, ensuring minimal access privileges and adherence to security policies.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of network configurations, diagrams, security plans, and compliance-related records to support internal audits and CMMC assessments.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and IT teams to support automation initiatives, manufacturing systems, and other network-dependent projects.
• Assist in internal audits and compliance reviews, providing necessary documentation and evidence to demonstrate adherence to cybersecurity standards and regulations.
• Participate in planning and executing network upgrades, expansions, and security enhancements to support the company's growth and evolving technological needs.
• Stay current with emerging network technologies, security threats, and industry best practices to continually improve the company's network infrastructure.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in network engineering, with a preference for candidates who have worked in manufacturing, defense, or government-regulated sectors.
• Practical experience designing, deploying, and maintaining converged OT/IT networks, with familiarity with industrial protocols such as Modbus, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET.
• Hands-on experience working with Cisco Meraki products, including switches, wireless access points, and security appliances, along with proficiency in their configuration and management.
• Experience with Ubiquiti UniFi hardware, including switches, access points, and gateways, and an understanding of their deployment in enterprise environments.
• Strong knowledge of network security principles, including firewall configuration, VLAN segmentation, micro-segmentation, and secure remote access solutions.
• Familiarity with compliance standards such as NIST 800-171 and CMMC, with experience supporting or preparing for CMMC assessments preferred.
• Understanding of routing and switching protocols such as BGP, OSPF, VLANs, and QoS, with the ability to troubleshoot complex network issues.
• Experience working in environments involving federal contracts, DoD programs, or handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Strong documentation skills to maintain accurate network diagrams, security policies, and compliance records.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR compliance and export-controlled environments, which can be beneficial given the company's focus on national security-related manufacturing.
• Knowledge of industrial automation protocols and integration with enterprise networks.
• Experience with network monitoring tools and cybersecurity threat detection systems.

Skills & tools

• Cisco Meraki (switching, wireless, security appliances)
• Ubiquiti UniFi (switches, access points, gateways)
• Network monitoring and troubleshooting tools such as Wireshark, SolarWinds, or Nagios
• Security tools and firewalls, including configuring and managing access policies
• Documentation tools for network diagrams and security plans

Practical notes

• This position is based in Research Triangle Park, NC, and requires on-site presence at the company's facility.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• The company offers a competitive salary package along with benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• The role involves working in a high-security environment, with adherence to strict security protocols and standards.
• The company values proactive problem-solving, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to security and compliance.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications promptly.