Senior Network & Security Engineer

We are looking for a Senior Network & Security Engineer to serve as the primary hands-on technical owner of our enterprise network and security infrastructure. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation, performance, and security of our Fortinet security platform and Cisco switching environment across a globally distributed manufacturing organization.

This is an execution-focused role-not a strategy or management position. The CIO retains ownership of cybersecurity strategy and roadmap, supported by external vCISO advisory for independent oversight and board-level guidance. Your job is to make the infrastructure work, keep it secure, and keep it documented. You will be the go-to technical expert the CIO relies on to execute security and network initiatives, triage and respond to incidents, and maintain operational excellence.

This role operates within a lean, highly collaborative IT organization where everyone wears multiple hats. The ideal candidate thrives on hands-on work-configuring firewalls, managing switches, troubleshooting network issues, and responding to security events, maintaining documentation and collaborating with colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Security Operations & Fortinet Platform Ownership

• Own and operate the Fortinet security platform for network segmentation, threat prevention, and secure remote access, including:

• FortiGate firewalls, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiAuthenticator, FortiWeb

• FortiClient endpoint protection managed via FortiClient EMS

• VPN (site-to-site and remote access), IDS/IPS, web filtering, and security policies

• Monitor security events and logs; triage, respond to, and remediate security incidents. Escalate with clear technical summaries and recommended actions.

• Continuously tune and harden firewall rules and security controls to reduce attack surface while maintaining business-critical connectivity.

• Execute vulnerability scans, track remediation efforts, and coordinate patching with internal teams and external partners.

• Assess, segment, and monitor OT/ICS networks across manufacturing sites to reduce risk while preserving operational continuity.

• Execute incident response plans, participate in tabletop exercises, and document post-incident lessons learned.

• Support compliance, audit, and cyber-insurance requirements by maintaining security controls and producing evidence as needed.

• Support evaluating, onboarding, and overseeing managed security operations (SOC) services.

Network Infrastructure Management

• Own the day-to-day operation, performance, and reliability of the globally distributed enterprise network.
• Administer and optimize the enterprise Cisco switching environment including VLANs, trunking, spanning tree, and port security.
• Execute network upgrades, capacity planning, and lifecycle management.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues across LAN, WAN, and remote-access environments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date network documentation, diagrams, and configuration standards.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as the primary technical resource for networking and security within the IT team.
• Coordinate with managed service providers to ensure SLAs are met and security standards are maintained.
• Evaluate and recommend third-party vendors and security tools.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations clearly., * Network and security infrastructure is stable, well-documented, and consistently maintained.
• Fortinet platform is fully optimized-firewall rules tuned, security policies hardened, logging and alerting operational.
• OT network segmentation assessed and hardened across manufacturing sites.
• Managed SOC partner successfully onboarded and integrated (in partnership with CIO).
• CIO can confidently delegate day-to-day network and security operations to this role.
• vCISO engagement scoped and initiated to provide independent security oversight, roadmap validation, and board-level reporting.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to own and operate the full network and security stack for a global manufacturing organization.
• Direct access to the CIO-no layers of management between you and decision-makers.
• Modern Fortinet security stack with executive support for continued investment.
• High-impact role where your work directly protects the business.
• Collaborative, lean IT environment that values pragmatism, accountability, and getting things done over bureaucracy.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in network engineering and security operations, with demonstrated ownership of infrastructure and security tooling.
• Strong hands-on experience with the Fortinet ecosystem (FortiGate, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiClient EMS, VPN, IDS/IPS).
• Hands-on experience managing Cisco switching environments including VLANs, trunking, and general LAN/WAN troubleshooting.
• Solid operational experience with security monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response execution.
• Experience supporting networks in manufacturing or OT-adjacent environments is a strong plus.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and concisely to IT leadership.
• Comfortable working in a small, lean, collaborative IT organization where self-direction, prioritization, and pragmatism are essential., * Fortinet certifications, particularly NSE 4 (FortiOS), NSE 5 (FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer), NSE 6 (FortiClient EMS, OT Security); NSE 7 Enterprise Firewall is a strong differentiator
• Cisco certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCNA)
• Security certifications such as Security+, CySA+, or GSEC
• Experience in Azure/Entra integrated environments
• Experience working in globally distributed or multi-region IT environments

Full benefit package

Competitive 401K

Paid time off

Potters Industries Leawood, Kansas, 66206 Through the continuing ingenuity, dedication and superior service of our employees through the years, Potters has grown into a $400 million global business. With approximately 900 employees contributing to our success every day in 30 production facilities located in 14 countries around the world.