Freelance Japanese Network Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bilingual Japanese Network Engineer – IT/OT Infrastructure

Visa: Any Visa except CPT, TN

Location: Kansas City, KS (Onsite)

Role Summary

The Network Engineer – IT/OT Infrastructure is responsible for the design, implementation, operation, and support of network infrastructure across integrated IT and OT environments.
This role ensures secure, reliable, and high‑availability connectivity for enterprise IT systems and operational technology environments such as factory networks, industrial systems, and IoT platforms, while adhering to operational, safety, and security requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Design & Implementation

·Design, implement, and maintain IT and OT network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, WLAN, and industrial networks.

·Support IT/OT integration projects, including network segmentation, VLAN/IP design, traffic flow definition, and firewall policies.

·Participate in network upgrades, expansions, and migrations across data center, cloud, and factory environments.

·Validate physical and logical network connectivity during deployment and testing phases.

2. IT/OT Network Operations

·Provide day‑to‑day operational support for routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers, and network security devices.

·Monitor network performance, availability, and faults using monitoring and ITSM tools.

·Respond to and resolve network incidents and service requests, ensuring minimal impact to IT and OT operations.

·Support factory and onsite network validation, including cabling, port checks, and traffic control when required.

3. Incident, Problem & Change Management

·Participate in incident, problem, and change management processes aligned with ITIL practices.

·Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring or major network incidents.

·Implement approved network changes, including configuration updates, firmware upgrades, and security rule changes.

·Ensure changes are executed with consideration for OT operational and safety constraints.

4. IT/OT Security Support

·Implement and maintain network security controls, including segmentation, access control, and firewall rules for IT and OT zones.

·Support secure remote access solutions for OT environments.

·Collaborate with security teams to support OT cybersecurity requirements and incident response activities.

·Ensure network configurations comply with internal security policies and industry standards.

5. Documentation & Reporting

·Create and maintain network documentation, including:

o Physical and logical network diagrams

o Traffic flow diagrams

o IP/VLAN lists

o Port mappings and configuration records

·Support preparation of change records, test results, and operational handover documents.

·Provide technical input for service reports and operational reviews when required.

6. Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

·Work closely with project managers, OT engineers, and vendors.

·Participate in design and progress meetings with IT and OT stakeholders.

·Support coordination with third‑party vendors, ISPs, and hardware manufacturers (OEM TACs).

·Provide technical guidance during project and transition phases.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Skills

·Strong experience with enterprise networking technologies (LAN/WAN/WLAN), Cisco router and SW, Palo Alto FW.

·Hands‑on experience with routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless infrastructure.

·Solid understanding of VLAN, IP addressing, routing, and traffic control.

·Working knowledge of OT networks, industrial environments, or factory systems.

·Familiarity with ITSM tools and operational processes.

Professional Experience

·3–7+ years of experience as a Network Engineer or Infrastructure Engineer.

·Experience supporting IT infrastructure and OT or factory environments is strongly preferred.

·Experience working in multi‑vendor, multi‑site environments.

·Ability to work in onsite, remote, and hybrid operational settings.

Preferred Qualifications

·Network certifications (e.g., Cisco, Palo Alto)

·Experience with industrial network segmentation or OT security

·Knowledge of ITIL‑based operational processes

·Experience in manufacturing, logistics, utilities, or critical infrastructure environments

·Fluent English and Japanese