Ritter Communications is the largest privately held telecommunications provider serving exclusively the Mid-South, offering world-class broadband fiber, telecom, video, cloud and data center services. The company has grown rapidly over the years, investing millions recently in technology infrastructure and is now serving 155 communities and more than 57,000 customers in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee. Headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Ritter Communications invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology, while coupling it with a world-class customer-focused experience.

General Summary:

The NOC Network Engineer is considered a SME within the Ritter Network Operations Center (NOC) team and is responsible for providing overall operational support to the company’s data, voice, and transport network, which consists of various network elements from multiple vendors. The NOC Network Engineer should have significant operation knowledge, experience, and exposure in data, voice, and transport technologies, and will be considered the highest escalation point within the NOC. Success in this role is highly reliant on the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and networks, learn new technologies and processes quickly, and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manages and maintains network systems including server applications, routers, switches, firewalls, storage devices, and other network equipment;
• Configure and manage Palo Alto Firewalls to ensure robust network security;
• Provides deep network analysis concerning usage trends, recurring events, as well as outage and incident patterns;
• Designs, implements and manages policy and procedure concerning network surveillance system interaction;
• Serves to administrate and manage network surveillance platforms;
• Provides escalation for network-level troubleshooting activities as well as customer-level troubleshooting activities;
• Serves as point of escalation support for data, voice, and transport network infrastructure;
• Interacts with Engineering, Field Operations, TAC, and on occasion end-customers.
• Performs operational acceptance of new network elements;
• Participates in a team environment, providing valuable input as well as providing technical leadership to the team;
• Functions in an on-call capacity to support Network Analysts as needed;
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business related events, and other Ritter Communications locations as required;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of telecommunications products and services;
• Solid understanding of Palo Alto Firewall administration and configuration;
• Solid understanding of Service Provider transport networks;
• Solid understanding of the OSI layer and LAN/WAN protocols and technologies such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, VLANs, Routing, Switching, NAT, ACL, etc.;
• Operational knowledge and awareness of data, voice, and transport network product and technologies including Cisco, Ciena, Nokia, Calix, Alcatel, and Metaswitch;
• High level proficiency of common networking tools and troubleshooting methodologies such as Telnet, SSH, ping, traceroute, and Wireshark;
• Skill in scripting and front/back-end development;
• Skill in commonly used software such as Visio, Excel, Word, and Power Point;
• Skill in oral and written communication;
• Skill in reading and interpreting technical documents and information;
• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage multiple high-impact projects;
• Ability to be detail oriented while keeping the bigger picture in mind;
• Ability to work well individually and in a team environment
• Ability to travel for business requirements; must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a similar technical field and 3+ years of relevant work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

Cisco CCNA, CCNP, Nokia NRS I/II, or similar certifications preferred.

Palo Alto certifications with PCCSA, PCNSA, PCNSE preferred.

Ritter Communications is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to maintain a drug-free workplace.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, cancer, accident and life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, free gym membership, company discounts, tuition reimbursement, paid training, paid leave, and much more!