Principal Network Engineer

Actively Reviewing the Applications

iHire

Bridgeport Full-Time On-site

Posted 3 weeks ago • Apply by May 17, 2026

Job Description

Advantage.Tech has partnered with iHire to reach top talent for their opening below. Check it out and apply today!

Principal Network Engineer – K-12 & SLED Infrastructure (Wired + Wireless)

SLED = State, Local, and Education

Location: Bridgeport, WV (Travel – Northern & Rural WV)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $85,000 – $135,000+ (based on experience, certifications, and impact)

Why This Role Exists

Schools, cities, and towns across West Virginia are struggling with outdated switching and unreliable wireless — flat networks, dead zones, overloaded access points, and security gaps.

At Advantage, we don’t slap switches on walls or hang access points and hope for the best.

We rearchitect wired and wireless environments together, using data, design, and real-world validation.

This role exists because high-density Wi-Fi and modern switching require senior-level engineering, not guesswork.

The Mission

You will lead the design, replacement, and optimization of both wired and wireless networks for:

K-12 school districts
State, Local, and Education (SLED) organizations
Cities, towns, and public buildings across Northern West Virginia

Your Work Directly Improves

Classroom connectivity and testing reliability
Teacher mobility and device density
Public-building wireless coverage and performance
Security and segmentation across wired and wireless
End-user experience at scale

This is architecture + execution, not “install and leave.”

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

Wired Infrastructure

Lead switch refresh and network modernization projects
Design and deploy:

Core, distribution, and access layers
Redundant routing and failover
Secure segmentation and policy enforcement

Perform advanced configurations using:

Cisco
Extreme Networks
Juniper
Fortinet

Wireless Architecture & Optimization

Design and deploy high-density Wi-Fi environments for schools and public facilities
Lead large-scale access point replacement and expansion projects
Perform:

RF analysis
Heat mapping and predictive surveys
On-site validation and tuning

Use specialized wireless survey and detection equipment to:

Identify coverage gaps
Reduce interference
Improve signal strength and roaming

Tune wireless configurations for:

High client density
Mobility
Security and segmentation
Performance and reliability

Align wireless design with wired architecture — not treated as an afterthought

Travel (Purpose-Driven and Hands-On)

Frequent travel throughout Northern and rural West Virginia
On-site work in:

Schools
Municipal buildings
Public facilities

Projects are planned, professional, and impactful
Travel expenses, lodging, mileage, and per diem handled properly

If you like seeing dead zones disappear and performance improve in real time, this role delivers.

Required Technical Expertise

Core Networking

Advanced routing and switching
BGP, OSPF, EVPN/VXLAN
High-availability campus architectures
Real-world troubleshooting under constraints

Wireless (Must Be Real Experience)

Enterprise Wi-Fi design for high-density environments
RF fundamentals and interference mitigation
Heat mapping and post-deployment validation
Large-scale AP deployments and tuning
Secure wireless architectures (SSID design, segmentation, policy enforcement)

Automation & Efficiency (Strongly Preferred)

Experience using scripting or automation to improve efficiency and consistency
Practical use of Python and/or similar tools for:

Network configuration assistance
Validation and verification
Data gathering and troubleshooting

Familiarity with modern networking practices that emphasize:

Repeatability
Standardization
Reduced manual effort

Comfort adopting new tools and techniques as the environment evolves

Security & Edge

Next-generation firewall design
VPNs (site-to-site and remote)
AAA, logging, and monitoring integrations

Cloud & Hybrid (Preferred)

Azure and/or AWS networking
Hybrid connectivity (VPN, ExpressRoute, Direct Connect)

Experience That Matters

8–12+ years designing and operating production networks
Proven experience in K-12, SLED, or MSP environments
Demonstrated success modernizing both wired and wireless networks
Comfortable being the final escalation point
Thrives in environments where design decisions matter

Background, Trust & Confidentiality

This role involves access to schools, public buildings, and sensitive infrastructure.

Employment is contingent upon successful background checks
Candidates must be able to pass:

Criminal background screening
School-required and SLED-required clearances

Strict adherence to confidentiality, data protection, and professional conduct is required
Candidates must be trusted to work independently in secure and regulated environments

This is a position of high trust and responsibility.

Certifications (Strongly Preferred)