Principal Network Engineer

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 157,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4.2 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system.

The Principal Network Engineer is a key Subject Matter Expert within the CommonSpirit Health ITD Technical Infrastructure team, responsible for providing enterprise-level technical leadership, strategy, planning, implementation, and support across the network environment.

This role requires deep expertise in core network infrastructure principles, with a significant focus on DDI (DNS, DHCP, IPAM) technologies, specifically serving as the primary technical authority for the Infoblox platform. The Principal Engineer drives the creation and maintenance of overall network plans aligned with the organization's business strategy, encompassing all aspects necessary to ensure robust and scalable network services for data, voice, text, and image communication.

This position is critical in identifying and resolving complex technical challenges, defining technical standards and roadmaps, evaluating emerging technologies, and providing high-level guidance and mentorship. Working closely with architects, infrastructure teams, and application support, the Principal Network Engineer ensures seamless, quality IT support, adherence to standards and governance, and contributes significantly to the overall performance, availability, and security of the enterprise network infrastructure.

• Serve as the primary technical expert for the design, implementation, and management of the organization's DDI (DNS, DHCP, IPAM) infrastructure, with a strong focus on Infoblox appliances and the Infoblox NIOS operating system.
• Manage and maintain the Infoblox Grid, including comprehensive responsibility for IP Address Management (IPAM), DNS, and DHCP services, encompassing design and management of Network Views, DNS Views, DHCP Scopes, Options, and Failover Associations.
• Perform complex troubleshooting and resolution of issues related to DNS, DHCP, IPAM, and Active Directory integration, ensuring high availability and reliability of DDI services.
• Utilize and optimize Infoblox Network Insight for automated IP discovery, network visibility, and accurate record keeping; monitor system health, performance, and usage trends using Infoblox reporting and analytics tools.
• Plan and execute Infoblox NIOS upgrades, including planning, distribution group configuration, and staged rollouts, and configure/troubleshoot NAT settings for Grid Members.
• Apply deep expertise in TCP/IP networking principles, subnetting, routing, and VLANs to effectively integrate and troubleshoot DDI services within the broader network architecture.
• Lead efforts to identify automation opportunities within DDI and network tasks, implementing scripted solutions (e.g., Python, Perl) and leveraging network automation tools and frameworks (e.g., Ansible, Terraform) with Infoblox APIs.
• Implement network engineering solutions that align with Enterprise Architecture direction, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for DDI and other network disciplines and acting as a high-level escalation point.
• Provide technical ownership for assignments, working effectively with all levels of leadership.
• Enforce adherence to IT standards in network design, particularly concerning DDI, and audit production networks for exceptions.
• Lead and participate in proof-of-concept activities for new technologies, including DDI solutions, communicating findings and proposing adoption timelines.
• Initiate methods to meet defined business objectives and resolve subtle technical complexities impacting program success.
• Collaborate with other Infrastructure teams to define and clarify network engineering deliverables, focusing on DDI integration points.
• Provide documentation and knowledge transfer to peers and operational teams.
• Mentor colleagues on the network engineering team, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing.
• Provide feedback on improving the availability, security, compliance, interoperability, performance, and cost of the network infrastructure, including DDI components.
• Participate actively in strategic planning, technical roadmap development, standards, and architecture discussions for network services, providing significant DDI expertise.
• Perform crisis management during high-severity operational incidents affecting network services.
• Demonstrate strong technical communication skills, able to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership.
• Possess strong time management, multi-tasking skills, adaptability, and a results-oriented approach to meet project milestones.

The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

• BA or BS in Computer Science, Technology, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive professional IT experience in a technical or infrastructure role. Healthcare industry experience is strongly desired.
• 7+ years of experience in large, complex IT project oversight and management.
• Deep understanding of core network infrastructure principles, technologies, and protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, WAN).
• Extensive hands-on experience (10+ years) with Cisco Route Switch and Wireless infrastructure.
• Experience with datacenter and MDF/IDF environment design, including cabling, racks, power, and cooling.
• Familiarity with Cisco Nexus platform.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex network issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective solutions.
• Solid understanding of wireless design principles and experience with Cisco wireless technologies.
• Experience with WAN design, implementation, and integration.
• Experience with vendor management and evaluating new technologies and solutions.
• Strong understanding of multi-network environments, DNS/DHCP concepts, and IP address management. Experience with Network Insight and NIOS is a plus.
• CCIE or CCNP Certification Preferred
• Capacity to leverage strong analytical and complex problem-solving skills to recommend solutions.
• Ability to understand technology projects and concepts as they relate to high-level business objectives and present those concepts concisely to both IT and non-IT leadership.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, schedule, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment is required.
• Significant desire to lead and experience leading projects or others required.
• Healthcare industry experience is a plus.