Network Administrator at Sumitomo Electric Lightwave in Raleigh, NC

Purpose of the Position: We are seeking a hands-on Network Administrator to join our Information Systems team. This role is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, and support of our IT infrastructure, including servers, switches, wireless, firewalls, storage, end-user devices, printers, and mobile devices. You will keep our infrastructure secure, reliable, and current; support users across the organization; and partner with the rest of the IS team to ensure the systems the business depends on are always available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Network & Infrastructure Administration

• Perform hands-on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the local and wide area network, including HP/Aruba switches, HP wireless access points, and Fortinet firewalls.
• Install, configure, and maintain Dell and HP physical servers and supporting infrastructure.
• Administer Synology NAS storage, including shares, permissions, capacity, and backup jobs.
• Monitor network and system performance, capacity, and availability, and respond to alerts and outages.
• Apply firmware, patches, and updates to network equipment, servers, and infrastructure on a regular schedule.

End-User Devices & Peripherals

• Image, deploy, and support Dell PCs, laptops, and docking stations, as well as Microsoft Surface tablets.
• Manage mobile devices, including Samsung and iPhone phones and iPads, through mobile device management (MDM).
• Install, configure, and support HP and Canon office printers, and Zebra label printers and handheld terminals used in warehouse operations.
• Maintain hardware inventory and asset records, and manage the lifecycle of equipment from purchase through disposal.
• Coordinate hardware purchases, warranty repairs, and vendor support cases.

Security & Continuity

• Maintain and verify backups, and participate in disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Support endpoint protection, access controls, and security best practices across the environment.
• Assist with identifying and remediating vulnerabilities in infrastructure and end-user devices.
• Maintain documentation of network topology, configurations, and standard procedures.
• Perform periodic audits of user accounts, access rights, hardware inventory and system configurations, and maintain audit records and supporting documentation.

Environment & Support

• Participate in rotating Helpdesk schedule, assisting users with computer and system issues.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, network, and connectivity issues to ensure system reliability.
• Perform occasional off-hours system administration tasks (e.g., maintenance windows, updates).
• Provide setup and support for onboarding and offboarding of employees, including accounts, devices, and phones.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field with 3-4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience administering networks and servers in a business environment, ideally in a manufacturing or distribution setting.
• Hands-on experience with switching, wireless, and firewall installation and support. (e.g., HP/Aruba, Fortinet, or similar).
• Experience installing, configuring, and supporting Windows servers, PCs, and laptops.
• Working knowledge of core network services and concepts (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPN).
• Experience supporting printers, mobile devices, and other end-user peripherals.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to support end users effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• This position is onsite only at our Raleigh, NC Facility; applicants must live in or near Raleigh, NC area.
• Personable and collaborative, with strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a relaxed, team-oriented environment. Skilled at identifying root causes of issues and implementing practical, effective solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+, or Aruba/HPE certifications.
• Experience with Synology NAS or similar network storage platforms.
• Experience with Zebra printers and handheld terminals in a warehouse environment.
• Experience with mobile device management (MDM) platforms (e.g., Intune).
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration and Azure.
• Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PPT, Teams, Outlook).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices.