Project Engineer - Network, Cloud & Microsoft We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead complex client infrastructure projects across networking, cloud, Microsoft, identity, and cybersecurity environments. This is a true Project Engineer position—not a help-desk, maintenance, or ticket-driven role. This individual will take ownership of both short-term projects and long-term client engagements, with ongoing project work across multiple environments. Projects may range from focused firewall deployments, network upgrades, and Microsoft 365 migrations to extended cloud transformations, infrastructure modernizations, and multi-phase implementations. We need a hands-on engineer who can assess an environment, design the right solution, lead the implementation, and confidently work directly with clients throughout the entire project lifecycle. The ideal candidate will bring heavy network engineering experience combined with strong expertise across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, firewalls, and hybrid infrastructure. Key Responsibilities Take ownership of short-term projects, long-term engagements, and ongoing infrastructure initiatives across multiple client environments. Lead projects from technical discovery and planning through implementation, testing, documentation, and handoff. Remain actively engaged on longer-term initiatives that may include multiple phases, locations, systems, or technical workstreams. Assess client environments and identify technical risks, dependencies, security gaps, and modernization opportunities. Design and implement network solutions involving routing, switching, VLANs, wireless, VPNs, WAN connectivity, and SD-WAN. Configure, migrate, upgrade, and troubleshoot next-generation firewalls. Design and implement Microsoft Azure infrastructure, networking, storage, security, backup, and hybrid connectivity. Lead Microsoft 365 migrations, tenant configurations, and modernization projects. Implement and support Microsoft Entra ID, including identity synchronization, Conditional Access, multifactor authentication, role-based access, and hybrid identity. Support Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Intune, Defender, and related Microsoft technologies. Lead on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructure migrations. Build secure connectivity between offices, data centers, Azure environments, remote users, and third-party platforms. Participate in client discovery sessions, planning meetings, project kickoffs, status calls, and post-implementation reviews. Translate business requirements into secure, scalable, and practical technical solutions. Develop implementation plans, change plans, rollback procedures, network diagrams, and as-built documentation. Coordinate with clients, vendors, carriers, account teams, project managers, and internal technical resources. Provide a complete operational handoff to managed services and support teams when projects are completed. Serve as a senior technical escalation point during project implementations. Identify additional technical risks and improvement opportunities within client environments. Required Technical ExperienceNetwork Infrastructure Enterprise routing and switching TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NAT, subnetting, and network segmentation VLANs, VPNs, site-to-site connectivity, and remote-access solutions Wireless networking WAN, SD-WAN, and multi-site environments Network monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, or comparable enterprise networking technologies Firewalls and Security Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco, SonicWall, Meraki, or similar firewall platforms Firewall migrations, upgrades, policy development, and rule management IPS/IDS, content filtering, application control, and threat protection Network segmentation and zero-trust security principles Secure remote access and multifactor authentication Infrastructure security, hardening, and vulnerability remediation Microsoft and Cloud Microsoft Azure infrastructure and networking Microsoft 365 administration and migrations Microsoft Entra ID and hybrid identity Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and Windows Server Conditional Access, MFA, identity governance, and role-based access Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive Microsoft Intune and endpoint management Microsoft Defender and related security capabilities Azure Virtual Desktop or similar virtual desktop technologies Azure Backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions Qualifications Strong professional experience delivering network, cloud, Microsoft, and infrastructure projects. Advanced network engineering skills with hands-on Microsoft cloud expertise. Previous experience working for an MSP, technology integrator, consulting firm, or professional services organization is strongly preferred. Experience moving between focused short-term deployments and complex, long-term client engagements. Ability to independently own projects without requiring step-by-step direction. Demonstrated experience working directly with clients during discovery, design, implementation, and project transition. Strong troubleshooting skills across interconnected network, cloud, identity, security, and Microsoft environments. Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders. Strong documentation, organization, and time-management skills. Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and client priorities. Willingness to complete scheduled after-hours work when required for migrations or production changes. Ability to travel to client locations as needed.

Preferred Certifications Microsoft Certified:

Azure Administrator Associate Microsoft Certified:

Azure Solutions Architect Expert Microsoft 365 certification Cisco CCNA or CCNP Fortinet, Palo Alto, SonicWall, or comparable firewall certification CompTIA Network+ or Security+ What Success Looks Like The successful Project Engineer will take complete ownership of assigned work, whether it is a focused deployment lasting several days or a complex engagement extending over several months. You will identify risks early, communicate clearly, deliver technically sound implementations, and ensure every project concludes with accurate documentation and a stable environment. We are looking for someone who can walk into a complex client environment, determine what needs to happen, build the plan, communicate it confidently, and drive the work across the finish line.

Pay:

$80.00 - $125.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week Application Question(s): We are seeking those who like projects. This is not an FTE job. This will be done in sprints when the needs arise for the clients. Log term work. Please confirm

Experience:

Network engineering: 7 years (Required)

Cloud Engineering:

5 years (Required)

Azure:

5 years (Required)

Microsoft SQL Server:

5 years (Required)

Language:

English (Required)

Location:

Costa Mesa, CA 92628 (Preferred)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Costa Mesa, CA 92628