Network Engineer

South Central Power Company, Ohio’s largest electric cooperative, is seeking an individual to fill the position of Network Engineer at our Lancaster office.

The successful candidate will be accountable for overseeing all phases of the IT lifecycle, including all assets, systems, and responsibilities assigned to the Network team or as designated by South Central Power Company and its leadership. The Network Engineer will be expected to implement and adhere to best practices across all assigned infrastructure and applications, drawing from network engineering standards, industry guidelines, manufacturer recommendations, cooperative policies, and cybersecurity frameworks—ensuring full alignment with South Central Power Company directives. Additionally, the role requires effective use of network management tools, software platforms, and related technologies to deliver solutions, maintain operational integrity, and support the company’s strategic goals and ongoing initiatives.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with strong troubleshooting capabilities, excellent communication and documentation skills, and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively interpret and present technical information to various stakeholders in a friendly, supportive, and articulate manner. This role requires the ability to collaborate seamlessly with peers, management, and cross-functional teams to develop both immediate and strategic solutions. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects or tasks simultaneously with precision and attention to detail are essential.

Periodic travel to locations within South Central Power’s service territory will be required. The Network Engineer will report directly to the IT Network Manager.

Essential Functions

• Operate independently within a complex enterprise network environment.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of advanced networking concepts and perform structured, logical troubleshooting.
• Manage all facets of the South Central Power (SCP) corporate network, including local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless (WiFi), SD-WAN connections and secure tunnel configurations.
• Support SCP’s field communications and network security infrastructure, encompassing substation sites and other remote components of the electrical grid.
• Participate in or lead the design and implementation of network architecture and solutions.

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive network policies and procedures.

• Research and evaluate emerging technologies to align with South Central Power’s strategic goals.

• Ensure reliable, high-performance network connectivity for all corporate and field operations.

• Provide subject matter expertise on applicable network protocols and cybersecurity measures within the enterprise environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of hands-on experience in networking and network security within an enterprise environment is required.
• Proficiency with enterprise-grade networking equipment and advanced expertise in LAN, WAN, and SD-WAN architecture, design, and deployment.
• A bachelor's degree in Information Technology or a related field is required; equivalent experience combined with relevant certifications may be considered. 
• Candidates must demonstrate expertise equivalent to the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) level. A professional-level certification in networking and/or network security is required (e.g., CCNP, CISSP, or equivalent).

We offer a competitive salary and strong benefits package, and this position is eligible for hybrid remote work. Apply to join our team today!

We do not offer visa sponsorship or accept candidates on work visas at this time.

EEO – Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

South Central Power is a drug free workplace.