Network Engineer II

At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabs contributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.The Network Engineer II is responsible for designing, installing, administering, and troubleshooting network systems and equipment throughout the enterprise. This is inclusive of network WAN/LAN, hybrid cloud services, telecoms, IoT, and workplace (pc, video, audio) devices. This role will assume one or many of the roles detailed below, and mentor support to the rest of the team to support customers and end-users. Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations. General Duties: • Coordinate and schedule resources supporting our goals and projects and communicate with all internal Business leaders and vendors. • Stay current with the applicable product lines and available technologies, test proof of concept technologies, and make recommendations that will benefit our organization. • Maintain documentation standards as required. • Cross-train and mentor other Network Engineers on the knowledge of these systems. • Enforce all network and security best practices and policies. • Maintain consistent builds and standards. • Maintain a robust, stable, and secure data and system environment. • Cost-effective planning and tracking of all expenses related to running applicable areas. • Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments. • Routine Patch/change management of core systems and devices. • Support customer requests as required. • Provide end-user training as required. Network Administration • Network project planning, designing, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance. • Proficient with Layer 2/3 configurations, and advanced complex changes with vendor support. • VOIP project planning, design, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance. • Audit all firewalls/routers/switches routinely and maintain consistent secure and reliable configurations. • Routinely test failover network scenarios (VPN backup, Wireless backup, etc.) • Maintain and monitor the effective and efficient use of WAN/LAN resources by systems and end-users. • Management and design of all Microsoft networking services (DHCP, DNS, DFS, etc.) • Experience with scripting to support system automation and management. RequirementsExperience: • Minimum of 6 years of related experience in an enterprise IT environment. • Experience with Cisco and Arista Switches, ISE, Firewalls. • Experience with diagnosing hardware, security, compliance, and application issues. • Experience with ITIL Foundations v4 a plus. Education: • AS Degree, BA/BS preferred or experience equivalent – Computer Science, or related field. • Certifications a plus+: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, Arista ACE, NSE 4, Azure, AWS, ITIL, PMP/Prince2/Agile, Scrum. Specialized Knowledge and Skills:• Excellent written, communication, technical documentation skills. • Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks; act independently. Willing to support/work off-hours and weekends and travel internationally. • Willingness and ability to take initiative and the desire to continually take on additional responsibilities.The estimated pay range for this role is $96,000 - $ 116,000 annuallyThorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law. BenefitsThorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.

At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabs contributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.

Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.

The Network Engineer II is responsible for designing, installing, administering, and troubleshooting network systems and equipment throughout the enterprise. This is inclusive of network WAN/LAN, hybrid cloud services, telecoms, IoT, and workplace (pc, video, audio) devices. This role will assume one or many of the roles detailed below, and mentor support to the rest of the team to support customers and end-users. Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

General Duties:

• Coordinate and schedule resources supporting our goals and projects and communicate with all internal Business leaders and vendors.

• Stay current with the applicable product lines and available technologies, test proof of concept technologies, and make recommendations that will benefit our organization.

• Maintain documentation standards as required.

• Cross-train and mentor other Network Engineers on the knowledge of these systems.

• Enforce all network and security best practices and policies.

• Maintain consistent builds and standards.

• Maintain a robust, stable, and secure data and system environment.

• Cost-effective planning and tracking of all expenses related to running applicable areas.

• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

• Routine Patch/change management of core systems and devices.

• Support customer requests as required.

• Provide end-user training as required.

Network Administration

• Network project planning, designing, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance.

• Proficient with Layer 2/3 configurations, and advanced complex changes with vendor support.

• VOIP project planning, design, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance.

• Audit all firewalls/routers/switches routinely and maintain consistent secure and reliable configurations.

• Routinely test failover network scenarios (VPN backup, Wireless backup, etc.)

• Maintain and monitor the effective and efficient use of WAN/LAN resources by systems and end-users.

• Management and design of all Microsoft networking services (DHCP, DNS, DFS, etc.)

• Experience with scripting to support system automation and management.

Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of related experience in an enterprise IT environment.

• Experience with Cisco and Arista Switches, ISE, Firewalls.

• Experience with diagnosing hardware, security, compliance, and application issues.

• Experience with ITIL Foundations v4 a plus.

Education:

• AS Degree, BA/BS preferred or experience equivalent – Computer Science, or related field.

• Certifications a plus+: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, Arista ACE, NSE 4, Azure, AWS, ITIL, PMP/Prince2/Agile, Scrum.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent written, communication, technical documentation skills.

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks; act independently. Willing to support/work off-hours and weekends and travel internationally.

• Willingness and ability to take initiative and the desire to continually take on additional responsibilities.

The estimated pay range for this role is $96,000 - $ 116,000 annually

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Benefits

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.

Thorlabs Ltd. manufactures Motion Control and Vibration Isolation products for photonics applications in the industrial and research sectors.12 miles from Cambridge with train and bus linkDouble digit annual growthOur vision and values drive our operations, our interactions, and the traits we look for in new talent:In addition to onsite training, we offer multiple and cross-departmental opportunities for development:External training and funded educationHands-on lab experience across global locationsCareer progression opportunitiesAnnual entity-wide leadership development Contributed Pension Scheme Group Life Cover Private Health Care Child Care Vouchers Group Income Protection and more.If you wish to apply for the above position, please send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3NX or email recruitment@thorlabs.comIn line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.

Thorlabs Ltd. manufactures Motion Control and Vibration Isolation products for photonics applications in the industrial and research sectors.

12 miles from Cambridge with train and bus link

Double digit annual growth

Our vision and values drive our operations, our interactions, and the traits we look for in new talent:

In addition to onsite training, we offer multiple and cross-departmental opportunities for development:

External training and funded education

Hands-on lab experience across global locations

Career progression opportunities

Annual entity-wide leadership development

Contributed Pension Scheme Group Life Cover

Private Health Care Child Care Vouchers

Group Income Protection and more.

If you wish to apply for the above position, please send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3NX or email recruitment@thorlabs.com

In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.