Assistant Weekend Network Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Access One is a business technology services and telecommunications provider dedicated to delivering world‑class solutions and an award-winning client experience. Founded in 1993, Access One provides seamless, scalable technological services that evolve with our client's businesses. Our custom-tailored solutions can be delivered modularly or as a complete, end-to‑end package, ensuring clear accountability across business phones, communications platforms, managed IT, cybersecurity, security systems, and cloud-based services. By simplifying technology management, Access One helps businesses reclaim time and increase productivity. Our clients’ success is our success.

The Senior Network Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting network and infrastructure environments across a diverse portfolio of clients. The ideal candidate combines strong hands‑on networking expertise with the communication skills, responsiveness, and sense of urgency required in an MSP environment.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and customer‑focused Sr. Network Engineer who is local to the Chicagoland areato join our Managed Services team.

This is not a fully remote position. Candidates must currently reside in the Chicagoland area and be available to travel onsite to client locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs as needed.While certain responsibilities may be performed remotely, this role requires flexibility and availability to provide hands‑on, onsite technical support, installations, troubleshooting, and project work when necessary.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, deploy, and support LAN, WAN, WLAN, VPN, firewall, switching, and routing environments.
• Provide bothremote and onsite network engineering supportfor clients throughout the Chicagoland area.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation and provide after‑hours and weekend support when required for critical incidents, scheduled maintenance, or project implementations that need to take place outside of regular business hours, specifically on Saturdays and Sundays
• Be available to travel to client locations when hands‑on troubleshooting, installations, maintenance, or project work is required.
• Troubleshoot complex network, connectivity, performance, and infrastructure issues across multiple client environments.
• Configure and support firewalls, routers, switches, wireless access points, VPNs, and related network technologies.
• Manage and troubleshoot VLANs, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NAT, routing protocols, site‑to‑site VPNs, and remote‑access solutions.
• Perform onsite network assessments, equipment installations, hardware replacements, cabling coordination, cutovers, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Lead or participate in network migrations, firewall replacements, office moves, new‑location deployments, hardware refreshes, and other client projects.
• Monitor client environments and proactively identify performance, capacity, reliability, and security concerns.
• Support Microsoft 365, Azure, Active Directory/Entra ID, Windows Server, virtualization, and cloud‑connected environments as needed.
• Work with cybersecurity teams to implement network security best practices, segmentation, secure remote access, and firewall policies.
• Serve as an escalation resource for Tier 1 and Tier 2 support teams and provide Tier 3 troubleshooting for complex issues.
• Communicate directly and professionally with client IT contacts, executives, vendors, carriers, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate network diagrams, configurations, documentation, and client records.
• Document troubleshooting steps, resolutions, changes, and project work within the ticketing/PSA system.
• Manage multiple client priorities while meeting established SLAs and maintaining a high level of customer service.

Required Qualifications

• Must currently reside in the Chicagoland area and have reliable transportation to travel to client locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
• Must be willing and able to provide onsite client support, sometimes on short notice, when the situation requires hands‑on assistance.
• 5+ years of professional network engineering, systems engineering, or infrastructure support experience.
• Previous experience working for anMSP, IT services provider, or multi‑client IT environment strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, NAT, VPNs, routing, switching, and wireless networking.
• Hands‑on experience configuring and troubleshooting enterprise firewalls, switches, routers, and wireless equipment.
• Experience with technologies from vendors such asCisco, Meraki, Fortinet/FortiGate, SonicWall, Palo Alto, Aruba, Ubiquiti, or similar platforms.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, and Azure environments.
• Experience with VMware and/or Hyper‑V virtualization environments.
• Familiarity with network monitoring, RMM, PSA/ticketing, documentation, and remote‑management platforms commonly used by MSPs.
• Strong understanding of network security principles, including firewall policies, MFA, segmentation, VPN security, access controls, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex technical problems from initial diagnosis through resolution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical clients.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
• Certifications such asCCNA, CCNP, Fortinet/FCP, Microsoft Azure, Network+, Security+, or comparable certifications.
• Experience supporting multi‑location organizations throughout Chicagoland.
• Experience with SD‑WAN, cloud networking, network segmentation, and zero‑trust concepts.
• Experience working with telecommunications carriers, ISPs, circuits, SIP/VoIP, and connectivity providers.
• Familiarity with backup/disaster recovery and business continuity solutions.

What Success Looks Like

• A successful Senior Network Engineer in this role is technically strong, responsive, organized, and comfortable working across different client environments. You are equally comfortable troubleshooting remotely orgoing onsite to a client location when hands‑on support is the fastest and most effective way to resolve an issue.
• You take ownership of technical problems from initial diagnosis through resolution and communicate clearly with clients throughout the process.
• Working for an MSP requires more than technical expertise. It requiresurgency, accountability, adaptability, excellent communication, a willingness to be hands‑on, and a strong commitment to the client experience.

Compensation

• Base salary $120,000 - $150,000 based on years of experience

Why Access One

• Opportunities to grow your career and expand your expertise
• Continuous learning and professional development
• Advancement opportunities based on consistent performance
• Exposure to a broad portfolio of telecom and managed IT solutions
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and flexible work environment
• Engaging company events supporting work‑life balance
• Volunteer and donation opportunities to support the community

Access One provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.