Network Administrator

Job Description (JD)

Position: Network Administrator

Job Summary

The Network Administrator is responsible for the administration, configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, optimization, and security of the organization's LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, Wireless, and Internet infrastructure. The role includes managing enterprise switches, firewalls, network monitoring solutions, ISP coordination, vendor management, cybersecurity compliance, and ensuring high network availability across multiple business locations.

The candidate should possess strong hands-on experience with Layer-2 and Layer-3 networking, enterprise firewalls, network security, and incident management while ensuring adherence to defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Network Administration

Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Layer-2 and Layer-3 switches.

Configure and maintain VLANs, Inter-VLAN Routing, Trunking, EtherChannel, STP/RSTP/MSTP.

Configure Static Routing and Dynamic Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP where applicable).

Configure DHCP Relay, ACLs, QoS, VRRP/HSRP.

Manage enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure.

Maintain network documentation, IP addressing plans, topology diagrams, and network inventory.

Ensure high availability and redundancy of network infrastructure.

Firewall Administration

Configure, manage, troubleshoot, and optimize enterprise firewalls including:

Palo Alto Networks

Fortinet FortiGate

Sophos Firewall

Network Security

Implement enterprise network security best practices.

Perform firewall policy reviews and optimization.

Ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards.

Coordinate Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT).

Analyse VAPT reports.

Perform remediation of identified vulnerabilities.

Coordinate with application owners and infrastructure teams for vulnerability closure.

Verify remediation and maintain compliance reports.

Assist during security audits.

Network Monitoring & Performance Management

Administer enterprise monitoring solutions such as:

FortiAnalyzer

ManageEngine OpManager

Other Network Monitoring Platforms

Internet & WAN Management

Coordinate with ISP service providers.

Manage leased lines, MPLS, Broadband and SD-WAN connectivity.

Troubleshoot WAN connectivity issues.

Coordinate for circuit installation and upgrades.

Maintain WAN redundancy.

Monitor bandwidth utilization.

Validate ISP SLA compliance.

SLA Management

Ensure adherence to Incident and Problem Management SLAs.

Track ticket resolution timelines.

Coordinate with internal and external teams.

Publish SLA reports.

Perform service review meetings.

Drive continual service improvements.

Incident & Problem Management

Troubleshoot network outages.

Resolve routing and switching issues.

Resolve firewall issues.

Investigate latency and packet loss.

Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

Prepare incident reports.

Implement permanent corrective actions.

Change Management

Implement network changes through approved Change Management process.

Perform risk assessment.

Prepare rollback plans.

Conduct maintenance activities during planned windows.

Maintain change documentation.

Wireless Infrastructure

Configure and manage enterprise Wireless LAN (Aruba and Ruckus).

Configure SSIDs.

Guest Wi-Fi.

Authentication Policies.

RF Optimization.

Wireless troubleshooting.

Controller management.

Documentation

Maintain updated documentation including:

Network Diagrams

Firewall Policy Documents

IP Address Inventory

Asset Inventory

Configuration Backup

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Disaster Recovery Procedures

Network Change Records

Knowledge Base Articles

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Maintain configuration backups.

Validate backup restoration.

Support disaster recovery drills.

Ensure business continuity for network services.

Compliance & Audit

Support Internal Audit.

ISO 27001 Compliance.

Security Audits.

VAPT Compliance.

Documentation for Regulatory Audits.

Technical Skills

Switching

Layer-2 Switching, Layer-3 Switching, VLAN, STP/RSTP/MSTP, EtherChannel/LACP, ACL, QoS, DHCP, DNS, Routing, OSPF, Static Routing, BGP (Preferred)

Firewalls

Hands-on experience in:

NAT, VPN, Security Policies, IPS, IDS, SSL VPN, Site-to-Site VPN, IPSec, URL Filtering, Application Control, SSL Inspection, High Availability, Security Profiles, Log Analysis

Preferred Skills

SD-WAN Administration

Wireless LAN Controller

Aruba/Cisco Wireless

Load Balancer Basics

SIEM Integration

Experience

3-5 years of experience in Enterprise Network Administration.

Experience supporting multiple plant/branch locations.

Experience managing enterprise firewalls.

Experience in ISP coordination and vendor management.

Experience handling critical incidents in a 24×7 production environment.

Educational Qualification

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Information Technology, Electronics, or equivalent.

Preferred Certifications:

Fortinet NSE / FCP

Palo Alto PCNSA / PCNSE

Sophos Certified Engineer

Cisco CCNA / CCNP

ITIL Foundation

Key Competencies

Strong troubleshooting skills

Excellent analytical ability

Vendor management

Customer-focused approach

Effective communication

Documentation skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Problem-solving mindset

Ability to work under pressure