Network Administrator (m/f/d)

Job Description

We are looking for a hands-on Senior Network Administrator to design, implement, and operate our enterprise network across multiple international sites. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in next-gen firewalls (Fortinet & Cisco Firepower), enterprise switching (Cisco & Juniper), and network automation. You will define network architectures, harden security, streamline operations via scripting, and support site installations with regular travel within Germany.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Define scalable, secure LAN/WAN/SD-WAN architectures and standards for global sites
• Produce high-quality HLD/LLD documentation, network diagrams, IP schemas, and security policies
• Evaluate and select technologies aligned with performance, security, and cost goals.

Build & Implementation

• Install, configure, and optimize firewalls: Fortinet FortiGate and Cisco Firepower (including FMC, policy objects, IPS/IDS, SSL inspection, HA clustering, SD-WAN)
• Configure enterprise switches: Cisco Catalyst/Nexus and Juniper EX/QFX (VLANs, STP, LAG/MLAG, VRRP/HSRP, QoS, port-security, 802.1X)
• Implement site rollouts, migrations, and cutovers with minimal downtime
• Maintain and configure SASE platform

Operation & Security

• Own Level 3 incident/problem management; perform advanced troubleshooting (packet captures, flow analysis, logs)
• Maintain firewall and switch gold configs, rule hygiene, and change control (ITIL)
• Ensure compliance with security baselines, segmentation, and zero-trust principles
• Monitor capacity/performance and proactively remediate risks

Automation & Scripting

• Build and maintain automation for configuration, compliance checks, and deployments using Python and/or Ansible (e.g., templates, linting, CI/CD pipelines)
• Develop scripts for backup/restore, inventory, API-based object management (Fortinet/Cisco/Juniper)

Collaboration & Governance

• Work cross-functionally with Workplace, Cloud, Security, and Site Operations teams
• Support audits and contribute to policy development and continuous improvement
• Mentor junior engineers; act as technical escalation point

Travel

• Travel to German sites for installations, surveys, and hands-on support (approx. 10-25%, as needed)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5-8+ years in enterprise networking with multi-site/global exposure
• Proven expertise with Fortinet FortiGate and Cisco Firepower (FMC), including policy creation, NAT, VPN (IPsec/SSL), and HA
• Strong experience with Cisco and Juniper switching (Layer 2/3, routing protocols OSPF/BGP, EVPN/VXLAN nice to have)
• Solid understanding of network security (segmentation, NAC/802.1X, IDS/IPS, TLS inspection), DNS/DHCP/IPAM, and PKI fundamentals
• Automation: Proficiency in Python and/or Ansible for network tasks; experience with Git-based workflows
• Experience operating under ITIL (Change/Incident/Problem) and creating high-quality documentation
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable in an international environment.
• Language: Professional German and English are required
• Certifications (one or more of the following)
• Fortinet: NSE 4/5/6 (NSE 7 is a plus)
• Cisco: CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Security (CCIE a plus)
• Juniper: JNCIS-ENT / JNCIP-ENT (JNCIE a plus)
• Security: CompTIA Security+ or CISSP (plus)

Nice-to-Have

• Familiarity with cloud networking (Azure)
• Exposure to modern NAC (Cisco ISE, Aruba Clearpass), SASE/ZTNA, and wireless (Cisco Meraki, Juniper MistAI )
• Observability tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Zabbix, Grafana)

About Us

Die SYNLAB Gruppe ist der führende Anbieter von Labordienstleistungen in Europa. Das Unternehmen bietet die gesamte Bandbreite innovativer und zuverlässiger medizinischer Diagnostik für Patienten, niedergelassene Ärzte, Krankenhäuser und die pharmazeutische Industrie an. SYNLAB ist in über 20 Ländern auf vier Kontinenten aktiv und nimmt in den meisten Märkten eine führende Position ein. Zum Erfolg der Unternehmensgruppe tragen täglich über 24.000 Mitarbeiter bei.

Bei uns zählen Ihre Qualifikationen und Ihre Stärken. Deshalb ist jeder unabhängig von der Herkunft, des Geschlechts, der Religion oder Weltanschauung, einer Behinderung, des Alters oder der sexuellen Identität willkommen!