Senior Network Engineer - Wireless

Role SummaryThe Senior Wireless Network Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, managing, optimizing, and supporting enterprise wireless infrastructure across branches, clinics, offices, healthcare, and high-density environments. The role focuses on delivering highly available, secure, and high-performance Wi-Fi networks through RF planning, wireless design, predictive surveys, site surveys, controller administration, and advanced troubleshooting.The ideal candidate should possess extensive hands-on experience with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers across multiple generations, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, enterprise Access Points, RF optimization, wireless security, guest access, large-scale wireless deployments and Network Access Control (NAC). Key Responsibilities 2.1 Network Infrastructure ManagementDesign, implement, configure, and maintain enterprise LAN, WAN, WLAN, NACConfigure and support Cisco CatalystPerform wireless network capacity planning and optimization.Support enterprise switching infrastructure.Maintain network documentation, topology diagrams, and configuration standards.Participate in datacenter network implementations and migrations. Key Responsibilities 2.1 Enterprise Wireless InfrastructureDesign and implement enterprise Wi-Fi solutions for indoor and outdoor environments.Deploy, configure, and maintain Cisco wireless infrastructure.Configure and manage enterprise Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC).Install, configure, and troubleshoot Cisco Access Points.Plan wireless expansion projects and technology refresh initiatives.Support campus, branches including Hospitals, Health Centers, and office wireless deployments.Maintain wireless documentation, RF maps, topology diagrams, and standards.2.2 Cisco Wireless ControllersConfigure, administer, upgrade, and troubleshoot Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers including:Cisco AireOS Controllers2504, 3504, 5508, 5520, 8540Cisco Catalyst 9800 SeriesC9800-L, C9800-40, C9800-80Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC)Cisco Mobility ExpressConfigure HA SSO deployments.Configure Mobility Groups and mobility roaming.Perform controller software upgrades and migrations.Support migration from AireOS to Catalyst 9800 platforms.2.3 RF Engineering & Wireless DesignPerform Predictive RF Design using Ekahau AI Pro.Conduct Passive Site Surveys.Conduct Active Site Surveys.Perform Validation Surveys.Conduct Wireless Health Assessments.Analyze RF coverage and capacity.Optimize channel planning and power levels.Design high-density wireless environments.Perform spectrum analysis and interference mitigation.Design 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) deployments.Optimize wireless performance based on client density and application requirements.2.4 Wireless Planning & OptimizationRF planning for new facilities.Wireless capacity planning.Roaming optimization.Client load balancing.Coverage optimization.High Availability wireless design.Wireless performance tuning.Wireless QoS implementation.Multicast optimization.Fast Secure Roaming (802.11r).Band Steering.Client Steering.CleanAir optimization.2.5 Wireless SecurityConfigure WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise.Configure 802.1X authentication.Integrate Cisco ISE for secure network access.Configure RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication.Deploy Guest Wireless Portal solutions.Configure BYOD onboarding.Implement MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB).Wireless segmentation using VLANs.Secure IoT wireless deployments.Wireless threat detection and rogue AP mitigation.Deploy and administer Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager.Configure 802.1X authentication for wired and wireless networks.Implement certificate-based authentication (EAP-TLS).Configure RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication services.Design and implement role-based access control (RBAC).Configure Dynamic VLAN Assignment and Downloadable ACLs (dACLs).2.6 Wireless TroubleshootingTroubleshoot wireless connectivity issues.Analyze roaming failures.Investigate authentication failures.Troubleshoot DHCP and DNS-related wireless issues.Resolve RF interference problems.Diagnose client performance issues.Troubleshoot latency, packet loss, and voice-over-WiFi issues.Perform packet captures and wireless protocol analysis.Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for major incidents.2.7 Network Management PlatformsCisco Catalyst Center (DNA Center)Cisco Prime InfrastructureCisco Wireless AssuranceCisco SpacesCisco ISECisco ThousandEyes2.8 Monitoring & PerformanceMonitor Wireless Infrastructure UsingCisco Catalyst CenterCisco Prime InfrastructureSolarWindsPRTGManageEngine OpManagerResponsibilities IncludeWireless health monitoringClient analyticsPerformance trendingCapacity planningFirmware lifecycle managementIncident managementAvailability reporting2.9 Projects & GovernanceLead enterprise wireless implementation projects.Execute wireless migration projects.Perform wireless technology refreshes.Prepare implementation and rollback plans.Conduct risk assessments.Develop low-level and high-level designs (LLD/HLD).Coordinate with vendors and third-party service providers.Ensure compliance with enterprise wireless standards and best practices. Technical Skills 3.1 Enterprise WirelessCisco Wireless LAN ControllersCisco Catalyst 9800 SeriesCisco AireOSCisco Mobility ExpressCisco Embedded Wireless ControllerCisco Access PointsCisco Catalyst Wireless3.2 RF TechnologiesRF Planning, Optimization, TroubleshootingSpectrum AnalysisPredictive, Passive and Active Site SurveyValidation SurveyHeat Map AnalysisCoverage PlanningCapacity PlanningChannel Planning3.3 Wireless StandardsIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6 and 7)Wi-Fi 6EWPA2WPA3802.1XFast RoamingMU-MIMO3.4 Site Survey ToolsEkahauAirMagnet Survey Pro (preferred) Educational QualificationsBachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field. Preferred CertificationsCisco CCNP Enterprise (Wireless)Cisco CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure (Preferred)CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator)Ekahau Certified Survey Engineer (ECSE) Experience Requirements5+ years of hands-on enterprise wireless networking experience.Extensive experience managing Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers across multiple platforms.Experience with Cisco Catalyst 9800 migrations from AireOS.Experience performing enterprise wireless site surveys and RF planning.Experience designing high-density wireless environments.Strong knowledge of wireless security and Cisco ISE or Aruba ClearPass integration.Experience supporting large-scale enterprise wireless deployments with thousands of Access Points.Experience working in healthcare, airports, universities, hospitality, banking, government, or large enterprise environments.Experience deploying 802.1X authentication across campus LAN and WLAN environments.Experience integrating NAC solutions with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, Catalyst Switches, Active Directory, PKI, VPN, and enterprise security platforms.Experience with guest access, BYOD onboarding, endpoint profiling, posture assessment, and role-based network access control. Core CompetenciesAdvanced RF troubleshootingEnterprise wireless architectureWireless network designCapacity planningCoverage optimizationHigh-density Wi-Fi deploymentsExcellent analytical and troubleshooting skillsStrong documentation practicesProject implementation and migrationCustomer-focused service deliveryVendor coordinationTeam collaboration and mentoringAbility to work during critical incidents andSkills: cisco wireless,cisco,wireless,infrastructure,design