Principal Network Engineer

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Schools, cities, and towns across West Virginia are struggling with outdated switching and unreliable wireless — flat networks, dead zones, overloaded access points, and security gaps.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

• CCNP / CCIE (Enterprise or Wireless)
• CWNA / CWDP / CWAP (or equivalent experience)
• JNCIP / JNCIE
• Fortinet NSE 5–7
• Extreme certifications
• Cloud networking certifications