Senior IT Specialist — Infrastructure, Site Support & Network Security

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Senior IT Specialist specializing in Infrastructure, Site Support, and Network Security to join our dynamic IT team. In this critical role, you will be the cornerstone of our organization’s IT infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations, robust security, and optimal performance across our head office and multiple plant/site locations. Your expertise in Fortinet FortiGate administration, enterprise networking, and end-user support will be instrumental in maintaining a secure and high-performing IT environment. As the primary technical escalation point, you will resolve complex infrastructure and security-related issues, driving innovation and reliability in our IT operations.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior IT Specialist will play a pivotal role in designing, configuring, and maintaining a resilient IT infrastructure. Your responsibilities will include:

• Firewall and Network Security Management: Design, configure, and maintain Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, including Firewall Policies, NAT, VPN, High Availability (HA), and SD-WAN. Implement and manage advanced network security technologies such as IPS, Web Filtering, Application Control, SSL Inspection, and bandwidth optimization to safeguard our digital assets.
• Network Infrastructure Administration: Administer and support LAN/WAN infrastructure, including switches, routers, wireless networks, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, and WAN connectivity. Ensure seamless connectivity and performance across all sites.
• VPN and Secure Connectivity: Configure and maintain site-to-site and remote access VPN solutions to enable secure communication between locations and remote users.
• Server and Virtualization Support: Provide support for servers, virtualization platforms, backup infrastructure, Active Directory / Entra ID, and endpoint security solutions to ensure data integrity and availability.
• Technical Escalation and Support: Serve as the escalation point for complex IT infrastructure issues, providing advanced technical support and troubleshooting to resolve critical problems efficiently.
• Site Deployments and Standardization: Support new site deployments, standardize infrastructure across locations, and coordinate with ISPs and technology vendors to ensure consistent and reliable IT services.
• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards and maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of infrastructure configurations and procedures.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship: Mentor junior IT team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. Contribute to infrastructure improvement initiatives and IT projects to enhance operational efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, you must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in IT Infrastructure and Support, with at least 4 years of hands-on experience with Fortinet FortiGate in a multi-site environment.
• Technical Skills: Strong expertise in Firewall Administration, VPNs, SD-WAN, LAN/WAN, VLANs, Routing, Switching, DNS, DHCP, and network security. Experience supporting distributed sites, industrial environments, or manufacturing operations is highly desirable.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to address complex IT challenges effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

While not mandatory, the following qualifications will enhance your candidacy:

• Certifications: Fortinet NSE 4 (required or strongly preferred); NSE 5/7 is a plus. Additional certifications such as CCNA, CompTIA Network+, or Security+ are advantageous.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiAP, and SD-WAN. Knowledge of ITIL and ITSM tools is a valuable asset.

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Fortinet FortiGate Administration
• Enterprise Network Infrastructure Management
• Network Security and Firewall Management
• VPN and Secure Connectivity Solutions
• Active Directory / Entra ID Administration
• Infrastructure Troubleshooting and Resolution
• Communication, Leadership, and Problem-Solving