Level IV - Network Support Tech in St. Petersburg, Florida at Smart Choice Communications

About Smart Choice Communications

SmartChoice is a North American technology partner delivering telecommunications, internet connectivity, network infrastructure, integrated software platforms, and physical security for multi‑location and large organizations. We support organizations that demand reliability at scale, from regional operations to complex, multi‑site enterprises.

Our integrated software connects directly with the telecom, network, and security solutions we deploy, giving customers a unified ecosystem rather than a fragmented technology stack. With teams positioned across the country and a 24/7/365 U.S.-based signature service model, we provide the reach of a national provider with the responsiveness of a dedicated partner—keeping every location connected, protected, and operating with confidence.

Why join us?

At SmartChoice, we believe that greatness is achieved through collaboration, creativity, and a relentless commitment to white-glove service and customer success. We don’t just provide services—we build partnerships and create lasting impacts for businesses across the country. As a leading provider of advanced telecom, internet, security, and infrastructure solutions, we empower our clients with the tools they need to thrive in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Our people are the heart of what we do, and we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where everyone’s voice is heard. Our culture thrives on creativity, collaboration, and celebrating successes—big and small.

As part of our team, you'll be joining a company that values innovation, teamwork, community engagement, and professional growth. Whether it's through professional development, team-building events, or mentorship opportunities, we ensure that our employees feel supported and empowered to achieve their goals. If you're driven, passionate, and ready to make an impact, we want you to be part of our journey.

About the role

SmartChoice is seeking a skilled Network Engineer to join our Infrastructure team. In this role you will be responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and securing our enterprise networking environment, with a primary focus on Cisco IOS/IOS-XE and Meraki cloud-managed platforms. You will plan and execute firmware upgrades across switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points to ensure optimal performance, security compliance, and feature availability. You will also act as a mentor and escalation point for other engineers.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

· None

Key Responsibilities:

· Plan, schedule, and execute firmware upgrades on Cisco Catalyst, Nexus, ISR, and ASR platforms following change-management procedures

· Manage Meraki dashboard firmware policies for MX security appliances, MS switches, MR wireless access points, and MV cameras

· Maintain a firmware compliance matrix and track end-of-life / end-of-support milestones for all network hardware

· Evaluate release notes, known caveats, and security advisories (PSIRTs) to determine upgrade urgency and compatibility

· Develop and test rollback plans, pre-/post-upgrade validation scripts, and health-check procedures

· Coordinate maintenance windows with stakeholders and communicate status updates throughout the upgrade process

· Troubleshoot and resolve issues arising from firmware upgrades, including boot failures, feature regressions, and interoperability conflicts

· Document network configurations, upgrade procedures, and lessons learned in the team knowledge base

· Support day-to-day network operations including monitoring, incident response, and capacity planning

· Collaborate with the Security team to remediate vulnerabilities identified in Cisco and Meraki firmware

· Act as a senior escalation resource and technical mentor for L1–L3 engineers, supporting issue resolution, knowledge transfer, and skill development.

· Working directly with customers to support networking requirements and upgrades.

Who you are:

· Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience

· 3+ years of hands-on experience administering Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, or NX-OS network devices

· Demonstrated experience performing firmware/software upgrades on Cisco Catalyst, Nexus, ISR, or ASR platforms in a production environment

· Working knowledge of the Meraki dashboard, including firmware scheduling, staged upgrades, and network-wide configuration policies

· Solid understanding of networking protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, STP, VLANs, VRFs, and ACLs

· Experience with TFTP/SCP/FTP file transfers for IOS image management and ROMMON recovery procedures

· Familiarity with ITIL-based change management and maintenance window coordination

· Strong troubleshooting skills using CLI tools (show, debug, packet capture) and protocol analyzers

· Ability to break down technical network issues with junior engineers for learning / coaching opportunities

Qualifications& Experience:

· Working knowledge of the Meraki dashboard, including firmware scheduling, staged upgrades, and network-wide configuration policies

· Solid understanding of networking protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, STP, VLANs, VRFs, and ACLs

· Experience with TFTP/SCP/FTP file transfers for IOS image management and ROMMON recovery procedures

· Familiarity with ITIL-based change management and maintenance window coordination

· Strong troubleshooting skills using CLI tools (show, debug, packet capture) and protocol analyzers

· Ability to breakdown technical network issues with junior engineers for learning / coaching opportunities

· Cisco CCNP or CCIE certification (Enterprise, Security, or Data Center track)

· Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist or ECMS certification

· Experience with network automation tools: Ansible, Python (Netmiko/NAPALM), or Cisco DNA Center

· Familiarity with Cisco Smart Licensing and Smart Net Total Care for entitlement tracking

· Exposure to SD-WAN platforms (Cisco Viptela / Meraki SD-WAN)

· Experience with monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds, ThousandEyes, or Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Perks:

Competitive salary with performance-based incentivesComprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance)Generous paid time offEmployer-matched 401(k)Monthly cell phone stipendEmployee Assistance ProgramGenerous PTO

What We Offer:

Culture of Innovation: You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team that’s driving the future of business communications.Growth Opportunities: As SmartChoice continues to expand, so do the opportunities for our team members to take on new challenges.Fun & Collaborative Environment: We’re serious about our work, but we also know how to have a good time. From team-building events to spontaneous brainstorming sessions, SmartChoice is a place where your voice will be heard, and your efforts will be recognized.

At SmartChoice, we embrace a work culture that champions teamwork, creativity, and fun while striving for excellence in everything we do. We believe that when passionate individuals come together, great things happen. If you’re looking to contribute to a growing company that is shaping the future of business communication, we want you on our team. Apply now and start making your mark at SmartChoice!

SmartChoice provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Discrimination of any type is not tolerated.Recruiting agencies, please do not submit unsolicited referrals for this or any open role. We have a roster of agencies with whom we partner, and we will not pay any fee associated with unsolicited referrals.