Network Engineer (Annapolis, MD - onsite)

Network Engineer

Department:

Information Technology

Reports To:

IT Manager or Director of Information Technology

Location:

As Assigned

FLSA Status:

Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime) - This position is classified as Exempt under the FLSA because it involves the application of advanced technical knowledge and independent judgment consistent with the professional and computer employee exemptions.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week, schedule as assigned

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position carries no supervisory responsibility.

Compensation Grade:

TBD - Pending Compensation Grade Structure

Position Summary

The Network Engineer is responsible for architecting, deploying, and sustaining secure, high-availability LAN, WAN, and WLAN infrastructures across Chaney Enterprises' corporate offices, aggregate quarries, ready-mix concrete batch plants, and asphalt terminals. This role serves as a critical technical resource for IT/OT network segmentation, cybersecurity boundary enforcement, and continuous connectivity across remote and rural industrial environments. The Network Engineer collaborates closely with application, cybersecurity, and operations teams to align network services with enterprise dispatch, ERP, and automation platforms. The position plays a direct role in advancing the organization's infrastructure maturity and supporting its continued geographic and operational growth.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are considered essential functions of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Architects, deploys, and maintains secure LAN, WAN, and WLAN infrastructures across corporate offices and heavy manufacturing facilities using Cisco Meraki, Ubiquiti UniFi, and SD-WAN platforms.
• Configures and optimizes managed switches, industrial routers, firewalls, wireless access points, and cellular failover systems to ensure reliable, low-latency connectivity at all sites.
• Designs and enforces segmented IT/OT network environments in accordance with the Purdue Model and IEC 62443 reference standards, maintaining strict zone isolation between plant-floor and corporate networks.
• Isolates automation platforms - including PLCs, SCADA systems, scale houses, and automated batch computers - from corporate internet traffic to reduce organizational cyber risk exposure.
• Manages site-to-site and client-to-site VPN solutions to provide secure remote access for field engineers, IT staff, and authorized third-party vendors.
• Designs, builds, and documents industrial network racks, equipment placement layouts, structured cabling guides, and power and cooling considerations for all network infrastructure installations.
• Deploys and administers 24/7 network monitoring systems to proactively detect anomalies, bandwidth bottlenecks, hardware outages, and security events across the enterprise.
• Performs routine maintenance, firmware and patch management, and hardware refresh cycles on critical network infrastructure to ensure continued operational reliability.
• Maintains comprehensive network documentation including topology maps, configuration baselines, change logs, and System Security Plans (SSPs) in accordance with IT governance standards.
• Diagnoses and resolves complex network connectivity issues across geographically dispersed sites, working to minimize Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and reduce operational disruption.
• Collaborates with application and cybersecurity teams to ensure seamless integration of network services with core ERP, dispatch, and industrial control systems.
• Evaluates emerging networking technologies, platforms, and best practices and provides recommendations to leadership to support the organization's long-term infrastructure strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of hands-on experience in network engineering, administration, and design in a manufacturing, heavy building materials, or industrial environment.
• Minimum of three years of experience in transport, logistics, construction, materials handling, or a closely related field.
• Proven technical proficiency with routing and switching protocols, firewall administration, VPN technologies, SD-WAN platforms, and industrial communication protocols including Modbus, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET.
• Demonstrated experience with Cisco Meraki, Ubiquiti UniFi, or comparable enterprise-grade networking platforms.
• Working knowledge of IT/OT network segmentation principles, including the Purdue Model and IEC 62443 standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex network issues under operational pressure.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to cross-functional and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Information Technology, or a closely related field.
• Active industry certification such as CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, Fortinet NSE, AWS Advanced Networking Specialty, CompTIA Network+, or CompTIA Security+.
• Experience supporting network infrastructure in geographically dispersed or rural industrial environments with limited local telecommunications resources.
• Familiarity with ERP and dispatch systems integration in a manufacturing or construction materials context.

Education

A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the technical knowledge and skills required to perform the essential functions of the role.

Work Environment

Condition

•

Indoor/Outdoor
Work is performed across corporate office environments and active heavy manufacturing and industrial plant sites

•

Temperature
Exposure to variable temperatures in outdoor and plant environments, including heat, cold, and humidity

•

Dust and Particulates
Potential exposure to aggregate dust, silica, and other airborne particulates common to quarry and batch plant environments

•

Equipment and Machinery
Work may occur in proximity to heavy equipment, conveyor systems, and industrial machinery

•

Remote Sites
Regular travel to remote rural facilities where site conditions and telecommunications infrastructure may be limited

Noise Level

Level

•

Moderate

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Physical Demand

Requirement / Frequency

•

Sitting

Frequent - sustained periods at a workstation performing engineering, documentation, and monitoring tasks

•

Standing and Walking

Frequent - movement through plant facilities, equipment rooms, and job sites during installations and site assessments

•

Lifting and Carrying

Occasional - network hardware, rack-mounted equipment, and cabling materials up to 50 pounds

•

Reaching and Bending

Occasional - installation and maintenance of equipment in racks, overhead cable trays, and confined equipment spaces

•

Climbing

Occasional - use of ladders or elevated platforms when installing access points, antennas, or overhead cabling

•

Fine Motor Skills

Frequent - manipulation of network cabling, connectors, rack hardware, and small components

•

Driving

Occasional - travel between corporate offices and remote plant sites

Travel

This position requires occasional to frequent travel, estimated at up to 40% of working time, to remote aggregate quarries, ready-mix concrete batch plants, asphalt terminals, and other Chaney Enterprises facilities for network installations, maintenance activities, and site assessments.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as business needs change. | Chaney Enterprises Human Resources