Network Engineer – Cisco and Juniper / ISP & Fiber Optics in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at Broadband Connect LLC

About Broadband Connect LLC

Broadband Connect LLC is a certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Minority Business Enterprise (MBE); with a management team that has more than four decades of technology systems experience; operating telecommunications, Information Technology (IT), fixed-wireless networks, data centers and computer facilities; and designing, installing, operating and maintaining inside plant fiber/copper/coaxial cable infrastructures; broadband and telephone systems for municipalities, school systems, State, commercial and Government clients throughout the United States. We have provided cable technician training services for individuals, businesses, workforce agencies, and a community college. We also offer a full range of Information Technology services for small to mid-size businesses and government agencies. All our solutions are custom-tailored to our clients’ specific needs and budget.

About the Role

We are seeking a Network Engineer with 3+ years of experience in networking, ISP (Internet Service Provider) environments, and fiber optic infrastructure. The ideal candidate will design, deploy, and maintain high-availability networks, troubleshoot complex Layer 2/3 and optical issues, and support the day-to-day operations of our service delivery infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

· Design, configure, and maintain Cisco and Juniper routers, switches, and firewalls in ISP and enterprise environments.

· Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize network performance, including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, and IP routing/switching.

· Support fiber optic infrastructure: troubleshoot physical layer issues, interpret OTDR/loss measurements, and coordinate with field teams on link provisioning and repairs.

· Manage WAN/LAN circuits, VPNs (IPSec/Dynamic), VLANs, QoS, and carrier interconnects.

· Perform root cause analysis on network incidents, escalate to vendors/carriers as needed, and document resolutions.

· Maintain accurate network documentation, diagrams (Visio/Draw.io), and configuration backups.

· Assist in capacity planning, upgrades, and migrations (e.g., IOS/IOS-XE/IOS-XR, ASR/Catalyst/Nexus platforms).

· Collaborate with NOC/operations teams to ensure SLA compliance and minimize downtime.

· Implement and enforce network security best practices (ACLs, NAC, firewall policies).

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

· 3+ years of hands-on experience as a Cisco or Juniper network engineer.

· Proven experience in an ISP, carrier, or service provider environment.

· Strong knowledge of Cisco and Juniper routing/switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, STP).

· Familiarity with fiber optic technologies: single mode/multi-mode, DWDM/CWDM, SONET/SDH, OTDR testing, and optical power budgets.

· Experience with Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, and/or IOS-XR platforms.

· Experience with Juniper Junos software platforms

· Ability to troubleshoot Layer 2/3 issues independently.

· Valid driver’s license (if field work is required).

Preferred Qualifications

· Cisco CCNA/CCNP (or higher) certification.

· Experience with network automation tools (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

· Familiarity with network monitoring platforms (SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, Cisco Prime/DNA Center).

· Experience with carrier-grade equipment (Juniper, Nokia, Cisco) is a plus.

· Understanding of VoIP/SIP trunking or telecom services.

Soft Skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

· Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).

· Ability to work under pressure during outages and escalate appropriately.

· Team-oriented with a proactive, ownership mindset.

Compensation & Benefits

· Competitive salary based on experience.

· Health, dental, and vision insurance.

· 401(k) with company match.

· Paid time off and holidays.