Universal Forest Products Inc

Lead Network Engineer

Universal Forest Products Inc • $100K — $130K *
Grand Rapids, MI 49504In-Person
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in IT or related field.
  • 5+ years of network engineering experience, including leadership in complex projects.
  • Proficiency in MPLS, BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, and EVPN for large-scale routing.
  • Strong network security knowledge, including Palo Alto firewalls and zero-trust principles.
  • Experience with Cisco Catalyst, Meraki wireless, and Versa SD-WAN platforms.
  • Familiarity with designing Operational Technology networks and automation technologies like Python.

Responsibilities

  • Coach and mentor network engineers through one-on-one meetings and career development plans.
  • Conduct annual performance reviews in collaboration with management.
  • Lead technical direction for network engineering, overseeing architecture design.
  • Evaluate networking technologies and vendors, providing recommendations for investments.
  • Design and implement complex enterprise and hybrid cloud network architectures including WAN topologies.
  • Oversee operational health and lifecycle planning for network platforms including Cisco and Meraki.
  • Develop and enforce engineering standards, ensuring best practices across the network.

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities through coaching and structured growth plans.
  • Participation in annual performance reviews with management for career progression.
  • Access to the latest networking technologies and innovative projects.
  • Contributions to significant initiatives such as cloud migrations and network modernization.
  • Opportunities to influence and shape network governance and standards organization-wide.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

The Lead Network Engineer serves as the technical leader for network infrastructure and connectivity services across the enterprise. This role combines advanced network architecture and engineering responsibilities with team leadership, mentoring, and technical governance. The Lead Network Engineer partners closely with management to develop engineering talent, establish standards, drive modernization initiatives, and ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of the organization's network environment.

Leadership Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development guidance to network engineers through regular one-on-one meetings and structured development plans.
  • Perform annual performance reviews in partnership with management.
  • Serve as the technical leader for the network engineering function, providing architectural oversight and technical direction.
  • Partner with management to improve operational processes, prioritize work, refine backlogs, and align resource assignments with business needs and team capabilities.
  • Evaluate networking technologies, vendors, and service providers, providing technical recommendations and contributing to lifecycle and investment planning.


Technical Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead the end-to-end design of complex enterprise and hybrid cloud network architectures, including on-prem data centers, cloud interconnects, and global WAN topologies.
  • Architect, implement, and optimize advanced routing solutions using MPLS, MP-BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, and EVPN concepts.
  • Oversee the operational health, support strategy, and lifecycle planning for Cisco switching, Meraki wireless, and Versa SD-WAN platforms.
  • Engineer and maintain Palo Alto firewall architectures, including segmentation, global security policies, and threat prevention.
  • Design, implement, and support segmented Operational Technology (OT) networks, ensuring secure connectivity between manufacturing systems and enterprise environments.
  • Design and support Azure hybrid connectivity, including ExpressRoute, VNET architectures, NSGs, and cloud DNS; AWS/GCP exposure a plus.
  • Establish, maintain, and enforce network engineering standards, design patterns, and operational best practices across the enterprise.
  • Partner with operations teams to ensure network availability, resiliency, monitoring, capacity planning, and incident response processes are effective and continuously improved.
  • Develop and enhance secure network access and connectivity strategies using Cisco ISE, segmentation, and zero-trust principles while partnering with cloud, security, systems, and application teams.
  • Support network integration, separation, and expansion activities associated with acquisitions, divestitures, and new facility deployments.
  • Analyze and improve network performance across LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, and cloud environments.
  • Develop network roadmaps and long-term architectural strategies that align technology investments with business objectives.
  • Lead complex root-cause analyses and drive long-term corrective actions.
  • Lead the adoption of network automation and infrastructure-as-code practices using technologies such as Python, Ansible, Terraform, and API-driven integrations.
  • Drive major network initiatives including modernization, cloud migrations, refresh programs, and architectural redesigns.
  • Maintain high-quality documentation, architecture diagrams, and technical standards.


Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in information technology, or related field.
  • 5+ years of network engineering experience, including experience leading complex architectural initiatives and mentoring engineers.
  • Proficiency in MPLS, BGP/MP-BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, EVPN, and large-scale routing architectures.
  • Strong knowledge of network security principles and technologies, including Palo Alto firewalls, segmentation, VPNs, Cisco ISE, zero-trust, and SASE architectures.
  • Experience designing and supporting OT environments and familiarity with automation technologies such as Python, Ansible, or Terraform is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with Cisco Catalyst, Cisco/Meraki wireless, and Versa SD-WAN platforms.
  • Experience designing and supporting Azure network connectivity (ExpressRoute, VNETs, NSGs, DNS).


About Universal Forest Products Inc

Since 1955, there’s one thing that Universal Forest Products has consistently done: grow. We’ve grown our brand portfolio. We’ve grown our product lines. But, most importantly, we’ve grown our reputation—based on our commitment to grow brands by delivering the absolute best products and service possible. Not only because it’s what you expect, but also because it’s what we demand. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with facilities throughout North America, Universal Forest Products is strategically positioned to deliver a wide variety of products to nationwide retailers that cater to both consumers and contractors. Universal Forest Products is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for the retail, construction and industrial markets. To explore all our products, like our outdoor living products or our framing services for the site-built market or our forming products for concrete construction.

Universal Forest Products Inc Careers

Join the dynamic team at Universal Forest Products Inc, a leader in the wood product manufacturing industry, and propel your career to new heights. As part of our commitment to innovation and leadership, we are continuously seeking skilled professionals eager to drive growth and embrace challenges in a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Why Work with Us?

At Universal Forest Products Inc, you are not just taking a job; you are embarking on a fulfilling career. We offer a range of job opportunities that allow you to utilize your skills, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. Our team is our greatest asset, and we invest in their growth through comprehensive training programs and professional development opportunities.

Explore Our Job Opportunities

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Universal Forest Products Inc offers a variety of career paths in areas such as operations, sales, marketing, and technology. Our internship programs provide a robust foundation for students and recent graduates, offering hands-on experience and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment.

Our Culture and Benefits

At Universal Forest Products Inc, we pride ourselves on a culture that fosters innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We understand that job satisfaction extends beyond the workplace, which is why we offer competitive benefits that enhance the lives of our employees and their families. From health and wellness programs to retirement plans, we ensure our team members are supported both personally and professionally.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career with Universal Forest Products Inc? Explore our current openings and find the position that matches your skills and interests. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that all candidates can showcase their strengths from the resume submission to the interview stage.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is integral to our company ethos. Universal Forest Products Inc is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We believe that diversity drives innovation and makes our team stronger.

Develop Your Career

Universal Forest Products Inc is dedicated to the continuous professional development of our employees. With access to cutting-edge training and leadership programs, you can expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, and take on new challenges within the company.

Stay Connected

Don’t miss out on the exciting career opportunities at Universal Forest Products Inc. Stay updated with the latest company news, job openings, and industry insights by joining our career network. Tailor your job alerts to match your career preferences and be the first to know about new positions that fit your profile.

Apply Now

Are you ready to make a significant impact in your career and help shape the future of the wood products industry? Apply today and join a team that values hard work, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. At Universal Forest Products Inc, your future is in your hands.

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Embark on your journey with Universal Forest Products Inc and transform your professional life in a company that values growth, leadership, and diversity.
Learn more about Universal Forest Products Inc
Size
15,000 employees
Market Cap
$4.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$246.7 million
Founded
1955
5 Year Trend
+21.7%
Revenue
$5.1 billion
NASDAQ
UFPI
* Ladders Estimates

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