Network Operations Manager Jobs in Jonesboro, AR

Position Summary:
Big River Steel is seeking a highly skilled Network Administrator to design, implement, operate, and continuously improve our enterprise networking environment. This role is hands-on and mission-critical, supporting data center, office IT, and process control (OT) networks that underpin modern steel manufacturing.
This position places a strong emphasis on Cisco-based networking technologies, including Cisco ISE, DNA Center, TACACS+, Nexus, Catalyst, and enterprise routing architectures, with a security-first mindset. The Network Administrator will work closely with cybersecurity, infrastructure, OT, application, and support teams to ensure the network is resilient, scalable, and aligned with business and manufacturing objectives.
In addition to core enterprise networking, this role supports Big River Steel's big data and industrial modernization strategy, delivering reliable LAN and WAN services that enable analytics, automation, and operational insight across the organization.
This role demands deep technical expertise, strong collaboration skills, and the discipline to operate in a fast-moving industrial environment where uptime matters.
Key Responsibilities:
Network Design, Engineering, and Operations
• Design, implement, and support complex enterprise network architectures across data center, campus, WAN, wireless, and process control environments
• Engineer and maintain Cisco-based infrastructure including Nexus, Catalyst, ASR, ISE, DNA Center, and Meraki
• Design and support high-availability switching architectures, including 802.1AX (LACP), port-channeling, and redundant network paths
• Design, implement, and support dynamic routing protocols, including BGP and OSPF, for campus, data center, and WAN environments
• Support LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and wireless networks, ensuring high availability, performance, and fault tolerance
• Design and maintain secure access control solutions using Cisco ISE and TACACS+
• Provide Tier 3 support for next-generation firewalls and advanced network security incidents
• Serve as escalation point for complex connectivity, performance, and security issues
Security and Network Services:
• Implement and support network segmentation, access control, and zero-trust-aligned designs
• Support VPN technologies, remote access, and secure partner connectivity
• Collaborate closely with cybersecurity and OT teams to ensure compliance with industrial security requirements
• Support secure client, server, application, cloud, and OT communications across local and wide-area networks
Data Center and Industrial Networking:
• Support data center networking including Cisco Nexus, VRF, VLANs, routing, VPNs, and network virtualization
• Implement 802.1AX (LACP) for server, storage, firewall, and industrial system connectivity
• Design and support OSPF-based internal routing and BGP-based external and WAN routing, including route filtering, summarization, and policy control
• Work alongside server and virtualization teams supporting VMware vSphere
• Support industrial and process control networking with an understanding of availability, latency, and safety constraints
Monitoring, Automation, and Process Improvement:
• Collect, analyze, and leverage network performance and telemetry data for troubleshooting and optimization
• Develop and document repeatable, scalable processes for common network operations
• Improve operational efficiency through standardization, automation, and improved tooling
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation, diagrams, and standards
Collaboration and Operations:
• Work effectively with infrastructure, cybersecurity, OT, application, and support teams
• Coordinate project activities, including planning, scheduling, change management, and reporting
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and provide after-hours support as required
• Act as a self-directed problem solver, owning issues from identification through resolution
Required Skills and Experience:
Technical Expertise:
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, including subnetting, routing, and advanced troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, including VLANs, STP, 802.1AX (LACP), BGP, and OSPF
• Hands-on experience designing and operating resilient switching and routing environments using redundancy and dynamic routing protocols
• Experience with:
o Cisco Nexus, Catalyst, ASR, ASA, ISE, DNA Center, Meraki
o BGP and OSPF in enterprise, data center, or WAN environments
o Routing protocols, MPLS, NAT, DNS, SD-WAN, VPN technologies
o Network security, QoS, wireless, and network monitoring tools
• Experience designing and implementing LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi solutions in large enterprise or industrial environments
• Proven ability to engineer, deploy, and support enterprise-grade networking solutions at scale
• Experience with Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and F5 enterprise platforms
Professional Skills:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
• Self-starter with strong ownership mentality and attention to detail
• Adaptable to organizational change and evolving technical requirements
• Comfortable working independently in high-impact environments
Nice-to-Have Skills:
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls
• GlobalProtect VPN
• BeyondTrust or SecureLink experience
• Industrial or OT network security experience
Education and Certifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred certifications:
o CCNP or equivalent
o CISSP or other industry-recognized certifications
Experience Requirements:
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in enterprise or industrial networking roles
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex, mission-critical network environments
Compensation and Benefits:
Big River Steel offers a comprehensive total rewards package including:
• Competitive base salary
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, disability, and wellness programs
• Strong work-life and family support programs
Company Overview
Since 1901, U. S. Steel has been a recognized leader in steel production. Today, as the first North American steel company to have declared a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal, we remain as innovative as ever, leading transformation across our industry while continuing to make products for everyday life - from industries as far ranging as automotive, construction, containers and packaging, appliances, and energy.
Underneath it all is our Culture of Caring, which shows up in our community partnerships, charitable contributions, company-sponsored employee volunteer initiatives, scholarship programs, leadership training, and much more. And of course, it takes shape in a steadfast commitment to safety first in our workplaces and respect for our employees, who are United by Steel.
We are honored to have earned accolades and awards from well-regarded organizations, including the following:

• Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies® 2022, '23, '24
• Disability: IN's Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion 2021, '22, '23, '24
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Equality 100 Award 2020, '21, '22, '23-24, '25
• Military Times' Best for Vets: Employers 2023, '24

Conducting business with integrity and with the highest ethical values has underpinned U. S. Steel's success for over 100 years, and it remains critical to our company's success in the future. U. S. Steel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) according to job qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, genetics, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, disability status or status as a protected Veteran or any other legally protected group status. (California residents may visit www.ussteel.com/CANotice regarding collection of personal information and U. S. Steel's privacy practices.)
Competency Summary
At U. S. Steel all employees are expected to display the following core competencies every day to advance corporate, team and individual goals:
Think: Think Critically and Drive Change
Lead: Develop Talent and Collaborate
Do: Empower Performance and Deliver Results