Senior Network Engineer

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to join our Information Technology team! The Senior Network Engineer is a strategic technical role responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing advanced network infrastructure to support the organization’s connectivity, performance, and scalability needs. This role requires deep technical expertise in networking technologies, a proactive approach to system reliability and performance, and the ability to influence network architecture and policy.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership in network troubleshooting, network design, and cross-functional collaboration, while mentoring junior team members and driving continuous improvement in network operations. This position requires coming into the office as work demands and providing a timely on-site response to network outages at our Madison, WI office.

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers. 

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.  

Network Engineering

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of network infrastructure, ensuring scalable, resilient, and high-performance systems.
• Ensure secure and efficient configuration and integration of network hardware, software, and services across LAN, WAN, WLAN, and private cloud environments.
• Drive and develop automation and scripting to streamline network operations and reduce manual overhead.
• Drive and develop opportunities for AI usage to streamline network operations and reduce manual overhead.
• Maintain and update technical documentation for network configurations, procedures, and system baselines.
• Generate and present technical network reports to stakeholders, including performance metrics, capacity planning insights, and risk assessments.
• Apply and validate network hardening techniques across routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless infrastructure.
• Support third-party connectivity and vendor management by reviewing and maintaining network requirements and SLAs for integrated systems and services.
• Leads internal technical projects using project management methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define infrastructure requirements and deliver solutions that meet business needs.

Network Administration 

• Lead the triage and resolution of complex network incidents using monitoring tools, packet analyzers, and diagnostic utilities.
• Monitor and respond to network alerts, escalating issues based on severity and business impact.
• Lead and participate in technical investigations of network outages and degradations, including root cause analysis, containment, and remediation.
• Collaborate with IT and Security teams to coordinate incident response and recovery efforts.
• Conduct post-incident reviews and contribute actionable recommendations to improve network resilience.
• Drive and develop network disaster recovery plans and failover mechanisms to ensure business continuity.
• Drive and contribute to the development and refinement of network monitoring rules, alerting logic, and performance baselines.
• Work with third-party partners (e.g., ISPs, hardware vendors) to escalate issues and coordinate resolution activities.
• Participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and provide support for network events and projects outside regular working hours.

Network Security 

• Manage network security patches, vulnerability remediation, and software updates.
• Enforce access controls and secure connectivity across LAN, WAN, and WLAN environments.
• Configure and maintain RADIUS and TACACS+ integrations and authentication workflows.
• Identify and deploy tools and processes to strengthen network security, configuration baselines, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with security teams to address vulnerabilities and enhance risk posture.
• Contribute to incident response planning and execution for network-related events.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science or related experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, or abilities.
• 7 + years of experience in network design and support, including architecture and services.
• 5 + years of experience managing Cisco network routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers, network access controls (ISE), network management (DNAC), and enterprise security.
• 5 + years of experience working with and supporting Managed Service Providers and/or Internet Service Providers.

Other Qualifications

• Deep understanding of networking principles, protocols, and best practices.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance standards.
• Ability to lead complex projects and mentor junior engineers.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning new technologies.
• Ability to design, document, and maintain effective procedures, processes and automations.
• Capable of maintaining a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to WFAA and any affiliate organizations.
• Energetic, motivated, service-oriented, and able to effectively manage multiple competing priorities.
• Flexible to new situations and challenges, and an advocate for change.
• Certifications in network technologies, network design, security technologies, security design, AWS or Azure network environments.
• Experience in scripting, automation, or Infrastructure-as-Code.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits! 

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation