Network Lab Engineer

Network Lab EngineerOptomi is seeking a Network Lab Engineer to support a major enterprise client in Atlanta, GA (2 days on site). This engineer will be responsible for the physical and logical buildout of Meraki-based lab environments, partnering closely with network automation and development teams to standardize, automate, and maintain multiple lab networks. This role requires strong hands-on network engineering experience, deep familiarity with Meraki solutions (especially via API), and the ability to support complex, multi-site environments. The ideal candidate has a proven background triaging global network issues, managing infrastructure, leveraging automation, and supporting mission-critical networking environments.Key Responsibilities:Build, configure, and maintain multiple Meraki lab environments at the corporate Support Center.Partner with the lead network automation engineer to standardize and automate Meraki configuration management.Manage lab infrastructure, including cabling, power, hardware staging, and configuration.Support development teams regarding connectivity requirements and vendor integrations.Triage and resolve network faults across global environments (AMER, EMEA, APAC).Manage infrastructure updates, software/hardware upgrades, and support multi-site operations (DCs, Node/Colo sites, remote offices).Analyze packet captures (WireShark, tcpdump) to diagnose connectivity issues.Monitor bandwidth utilization across client and data center infrastructure.Support post-mortem investigations and root cause analysis.Manage server and appliance lifecycle: procurement, staging, OS installs, operational maintenance.Utilize automation tools for pre/post health checks of server and network equipment.Participate in project tracking through JIRA and contribute to sprint activities.Develop and maintain procedural documentation.Collaborate with QA/QC teams on automation script development for network rollouts (Python, PERL, YAML).Must-Have Skills & Experience:Strong hands-on experience with Meraki environments, including configuration automation via API.3–7+ years of enterprise network engineering experience.Expertise with Cisco technologies: routers, switches, wireless, firewalls (ASA/Firepower), ISE/TACACS+.Experience supporting global, multi-site network operations.Ability to perform packet analysis and root cause investigation.Experience managing hardware, servers, appliances, and data center environments.Proficiency with Linux, scripting languages (Python, Bash), and REST APIs.Familiarity with automation tools such as Ansible, Jenkins, GitHub, and monitoring platforms (SolarWinds, PRTG, Grafana, Splunk).What the Right Candidate Would Enjoy:Building and owning multiple Meraki-driven lab environments from the ground up!A highly hands-on role blending engineering, automation, and lab design!Engaging with global enterprise networking challenges and modern automation practices!Working closely with automation engineers, developers, and infrastructure teams in a collaborative environment!