Blackboard Inc.

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Sr. Network Engineer (Information Technology)



The Opportunity:

We're looking for a Senior Network Engineer to help us shape the future of education. With nearly 20,000 organizational customers and millions of student users, Blackboard is the world's leading education technology company with the industry's most comprehensive student-success solutions. Our mission is to partner with the global education community to enable student and institutional success by leveraging innovative technologies and services. 

Blackboard's Corporate IT organization manages the enterprise technology that supports our employees across the globe.  They are focused on enterprise applications development and support, enterprise architecture, operations, infrastructure, and support.  This team works with stakeholders from Finance, Sales, HR, Marketing and other internal business groups to drive initiatives and ensure needs are met.  

As Senior Network Engineer, you will be part of the team responsible for providing Network Engineering and Operations support to Blackboard's IT network infrastructure comprised of several office locations and data centers and Azure and AWS environments supporting over 1000 employees. You will design, install, and maintain the Blackboard WAN, Internet, LAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, and cloud networks in a cost-effective manner. You'll ensure that data networks are reliable and high performing for use by the entire enterprise. You'll need to stay current with new technologies as well as apply existing knowledge to ensure system reliability.

Specific responsibilities will include:

  • Architecting, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing the equipment needed to provide WAN, Internet, LAN, Wi-Fi, and VPN networks in a cost-effective manner; ensuring a high level of availability, flexibility, and network performance
  • Proactively monitoring and analyzing key performance and capacity metrics and trends to assess risks and business impact and provide recommendations
  • Maintaining, auditing, and updating infrastructure documentation
  • Working collaboratively with service providers and team members on day-to-day changes, incidents, and requests
  • Maintaining and increasing the security levels of all data networks within Blackboard
  • Partnering with customers of IT to understand business needs and adapt them to technology solutions
  • Performing all activities in keeping with established ticket, change, and incident management and approval procedures
  • Participating in the network operations team's on-call schedule for after-hours and weekend support
  • Attending and participating in project, operational, and other team meetings

The Candidate:

Required skills:

  • A BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or similar field or equivalent work experience
  • 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and maintaining IP networks, L2/L3 technologies, Cisco routers, switches and wireless, Cisco and Checkpoint firewalls
  • Advanced knowledge of Solar Winds Network Monitoring
  • Advanced knowledge of Cisco Prime network management software
  • Advanced knowledge of Cisco ISE access control software
  • A strong understanding of the following enterprise network technologies:
    • Wireless (802.11ac, WPA, 802.1x)
    • WAN technologies (Leased lines, GRE VPNs, DMVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and IPSEC- based VPNS, MPLS)
    • Security technologies (Firewalls, ACLs, NAT, IPS, IDS, RADIUS, TACAS+, IAS, VPN technologies)
    • Routing (EIGRP, OSPF, RIP, NHRP, BGP)
    • Switching (VLANs, LACP, Etherchannel, LAGP, 802.3ad, VTP, 802.1q)
    • VoIP protocols (SIP/SCCP)
    • Familiarity with QoS including basic QoS commands and implementations
    • Network monitoring (WMI, SNMP, Netflow, SPAN)
  • Advanced troubleshooting skills and ability to quickly narrow down and resolve problems
  • High level of motivation, self-starter, ability to demonstrate effective project management and completion of complex network tasks with little guidance
  • Motivated learner; ability to quickly learn new technologies and keep networking skills current with emerging technologies
  • Excellent communication skills with coworkers and clients
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Travel: 10% to domestic and international sites as needed

Preferred skills:

  • Cisco CCNA and/or CCNP (routing and switching preferred)
  • Strong knowledge of ITILv3 service management
  • Demonstrated success training in both small groups and one-on-one
  • ITILv3 Foundation certification
  • Security+ certification

The Team & Office:

Blackboard has an office in the vibrant Plaza America in Reston, VA. 

  • Countless walkable places to eat lunch or dinner within the plaza including Grill Kabob, Mod Pizza, Brown Bag, and The Melting Pot 
  • Free drinks in the office 
  • Half a mile from Reston Town Center 
  • Accessible via Metro - Wiehle-Reston East- Silver line (approx. 1 mile from office) 
  • This role may also be remotely located

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.  

Blackboard Inc. is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, protected military/veteran status, or any other legally protected factor. 

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