Freelance Network Operations Center Noc Engineer Jobs

Sr. Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineer - (Tier 3)
Position Summary
The Senior-Level NOC Engineer (Tier 3) functions as the highest technical escalation point within the global Network Operations Center. This role provides advanced troubleshooting, architecture-level insight, and deep subject matter expertise across complex, multi-vendor network infrastructures. Tier 3 support engineers lead root-cause analysis, oversee major incidents, influence network design standards, and partner with engineering teams to drive stability, scalability, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Advanced Incident & Problem Management
- Acts as the final escalation point for all high-severity incidents, providing advanced packet analysis, protocol decoding, and cross-platform correlation.
- Performs deep-dive RCA, producing engineering-quality post-incident documentation and recommending long-term corrective actions.
- Leads network recovery efforts during outages involving routing instability, security events, hardware failures, or cloud connectivity issues.
Architecture-Level Network Expertise
- Expert proficiency with Cisco IOS, Nexus OS, ACI, and Juniper Junos, with the ability to interpret and troubleshoot complex multi-tier architectures.
- Designs and validates routing topologies, including large-scale enterprise BGP and OSPF deployments, multi-homing, route reflectors, graceful restart, fast reroute, and policy-based routing.
- Deep understanding of F5 LTM/GTM, load-balancing behaviors, DNS architectures, and SSL offloading.
Security, Cloud, & Advanced Platforms
- Expert-level support for Cisco ASA, Palo Alto NGFW, IPSec architecture, segmentation policies, and security posture validation.
- Advanced experience with AWS Direct Connect, cloud routing, hybrid architectures, and troubleshooting cloud edge connectivity.
- Leads analysis of Wi-Fi performance across Aruba WLANs, RF tuning, interference mitigation, and controller-based troubleshooting.
Tools, Automation & Visibility
- Mastery of packet analysis tools: Solarwinds, APCON, Wireshark, netflow/sflow platforms.
- Develops automation scripts for configuration validation, monitoring, and incident response workflows.
- Evaluates and integrates new operational tools and observability platforms.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partners with Network Engineering to validate new designs, perform pre-deployment testing, and influence standards.
- Mentors junior and mid-level NOC engineers, providing technical coaching, lab guidance, and training material.
- Engages directly with vendors for escalated TAC cases, hardware escalations, and architectural reviews.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in network administration, including advanced troubleshooting, network design, and implementation.

• Bachelor's degree (B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, IT, Electronics & Communication) or MCA, or equivalent practical experience.
  CCNA, CCNP, or CCDP certifications preferred.

• Extensive enterprise network operations and engineering experience, supporting large-scale, complex environments, with exposure to Tier 3 escalations and high-availability architectures.

• Expertise in routing, switching, and WAN technologies, including:

  • Advanced BGP, OSPF, and VRF design and operations

  • MPLS fundamentals, L2/L3 architectures, and enterprise WAN solutions

  • Load balancing and resilient network design

• Strong network security expertise, including:

  • Firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS

  • Hands-on experience with security-centric platforms and policy-driven architectures

• Cloud networking experience across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, including hybrid connectivity and cloud-integrated network designs.

• Proficiency in troubleshooting and diagnostics, including:

  • PCAP analysis, deep packet inspection, and root-cause analysis

  • Advanced troubleshooting across routing, switching, security, and cloud networks

• Hands-on experience with leading networking and security platforms, including:

  • Cisco, Juniper, Brocade, Aruba, Palo Alto, and F5 ecosystems

• Proficiency with network monitoring and operations tools, such as:

  • SolarWinds, Wireshark, and enterprise Operations Monitoring platforms

• Automation and scripting capabilities using Python and PowerShell to improve network efficiency, reliability, and operational scale.

• ITSM and workflow tool experience, including ServiceNow and Jira, supporting incident, problem, change, and escalation management.

• Strong operational leadership skills, including the ability to:

  • Lead and coordinate major incidents under pressure

  • Provide clear, effective communication during outages and escalations

  • Drive resolution across cross-functional technical teams

• Participation in 24x7 Tier 3 escalation rotation, including support for after-hours change execution and major network event coverage as required.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with proven ability to manage complex network issues, escalations, and operational monitoring responsibilities.

Preferred Skills:

Cloud networking experience across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, including hybrid connectivity and cloud-integrated network designs.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission-we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.