Network Engineer at New York ISO

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) applies cutting-edge technology to operating a reliable electricity system, managing competitive markets for wholesale electricity, and planning for the Empire State's energy future.  The NYISO’s Information Technology department invites applications for a full-time Network Engineer.

The Network Engineer administers and manages local-area network (LAN) and wide-area network (WAN) systems. This individual is responsible for network system installation, upgrades and patching, monitoring, system integrity, security, disaster recovery, and performance. The Network Engineer will adhere to established user standards and procedures, participate on project teams and collaborates with application developers and infrastructure peers as necessary; and perform backup and restoration procedures. The Network Engineer supports audit efforts and ensures compliance with corporate and regulatory standards and creates and maintains technical documentation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs work successfully with minimal or no supervision; performs moderately complex work with guidance. Participates on project teams and ensures completion of assigned deliverables. Works from a broadly defined work plan; sets independent objectives to accomplish specific tasks supporting the larger plan. 
• Works as part of larger organizational teams; regularly interacts with peer departments and business partners. May occasionally interact with market participants, vendors, and other external constituents. 
• Demonstrates proficiency with assigned technology platforms and disciplines; has basic knowledge of ancillary information technologies, methodologies and platforms. Has basic knowledge of IT service management, governance, continuity, financial, project, and lifecycle management. Has basic understanding of the energy vertical, energy markets, the electric industry, and the NYISO’s business & operations. 
• Installs, configures, monitors and maintains network components including switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, wireless, Intrusion Prevention Systems/Intrusion Detection Systems (IPS/IDS), network security devices, software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN), voice over IP (VOIP) and IP telephony infrastructure. Manages network capacity and IP addressing and subnetting.
• Maintains and tests backup and recovery plans. 
• Provisions and controls user permissions and privileges with strict adherence to access guidelines following SOC1 and CIP standards. 
• Provides technical support to software development, infrastructure, security, IT operations and inter-departmental teams. This may include engaging with external support for complex issues. 
  • Participates in and/or leads in-depth troubleshooting and root cause analysis in inter-disciplinary teams.
• Implements and maintains network systems to adhere to all established NYISO and regulatory (i.e., NERC CIP, SOC1) standards. Requires ability to interpret and follow complex policies and procedures. Per compliance policies: maintain up to date written documentation, perform prescribed recovery tests, complete required paperwork and attestations. Subject matter expert is held accountable for adherence to these standards. Responds to data and information requests to support internal and external audit requests. Audit requests are from external auditors as well as industry specific regulation agencies e.g., NERC, FERC. Participate in investigating and resolving any potential compliance issue, targeting zero deviations from the compliance policies and procedures.
• Provides 24x7 technical support on a rotational basis. Due to our industry, advanced troubleshooting skills and analytics are required to ensure production services are restored within very short timeframe. For example, some services require a restoration time within 30 minutes. Subject matter experts are expected to be available within five minutes. 
• Participates in system lifecycle management reviews. 
• Participates in procurement activities and supports contract management. 
• Participates in license management and compliance. 
• Understands server and storage technologies and participates in planning and troubleshooting for IT infrastructure and the potential impacts to the network. 
• Creates and maintains detailed documentation of network device configurations and functions. 
• Direct impact and responsibility for the organization’s security posture as related to system integrity and security. This includes zero-day analysis and response, advanced security system hardening knowledge and techniques, analysis and implementation of industry security protocols like CIS benchmarks. Subject matter expert is held accountable for adherence to all prescribed security standards and protocols. 
• Due to the significance of the industry and the organization’s role within it, a rigorous change management process must be adhered to in order to minimize risks to the computing environment. Must demonstrate adherence to these processes. Subject matter experts are expected to champion their changes from initiation through deployment. 
• Propose and support innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency through the automation of administrative tasks necessary to maintain portfolio of infrastructure assets. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree (BS), Computer Science, Information Systems, or similar technical program required.
• Three to five years’ experience as a Network Engineer.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from members of the business community. Ability to speak effectively before other technical staff and stakeholders. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 
• Intermediate competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications, e-mail and Internet programs in addition to cloud technologies (ie. AWS, Azure). Intermediate competency in UNIX operating environments.
• Full understanding of networking concepts and devices and OSI seven-layer network model. 
• Experience managing switches, routers, firewalls, proxies, TAP infrastructure, SD-WAN, DNS and DHCP. 
• Desired experience: load balancers, security incident and event management (SIEM), network access control (NAC), VPN tunnels, remote access, wireless protocols and devices, security servers, PKI and multi-factor authentication infrastructure, and voice over IP (VoIP).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Contact with staff and public will occur. Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training. This position may require work on nights, weekends or holidays.

Please note that this position will be filled at the level appropriate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

The NYISO offers the flexibility to work both in the office and remotely, providing our employees with an enhanced work life balance. While the majority of the responsibilities of this role can be performed remotely, in most cases, employees will have periodic on-site requirements based on business needs.

All offers of employment will be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

The NYISO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.