JOB DESCRIPTION: CISCO COLLABORATION ENGINEER

Position Type: Contract (12 Months, with high likelihood of extension)
Rate: $50 - $70/hr (C2C or W2)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Join a critical project to modernize the communication infrastructure for a key Federal medical facility. We are seeking a skilled Cisco Collaboration Engineer to support the full-scale replacement of an aging Avaya PBX system with a state-of-the-art Cisco Collaboration solution. This project encompasses the Main Treatment Facility (MTF) and eleven (11) remote sites, involving the deployment and migration of approximately 6,800 VoIP phones and over 800 analog devices. This is a hands-on role perfect for an engineer who thrives on complex implementation and support challenges within a mission-critical environment.

JOB SUMMARY

The Cisco Collaboration Engineer will provide technical expertise in the implementation, migration, and ongoing support of a comprehensive Cisco Collaboration suite. Working under a Senior Implementation Engineer, you will be instrumental in configuring, deploying, and maintaining systems including Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Unity Connection (CUC), Emergency Responder (CER), and Contact Center Express (UCCX). Your primary responsibility will be to ensure a seamless migration from the legacy system and provide stable, secure, and high-quality voice and collaboration services.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience implementing and supporting Cisco Collaboration technologies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the configuration and management of CUCM, CUC, and UCCX.
• Strong, practical understanding of SIP, H.323, MGCP, and core VoIP technologies.
• Proven experience with analog gateways and migrating analog devices (fax, elevator phones, etc.).
• Solid knowledge of QoS principles and their application for voice traffic over WAN/LAN.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen. This role supports a Department of Defense (DoD) facility.
• Ability to work on-site at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Cisco Professional or Expert-level certification (CCNP Collaboration or CCIE Collaboration) is highly preferred.
• Prior experience working in a DoD or military medical environment and understanding of its unique requirements (e.g., STIGs).
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with legacy telephony infrastructure, including 66-block and 110-block punch-downs for analog connections.
• Basic familiarity with automation and scripting tools (e.g., Ansible, Python) for collaboration tasks.
• Understanding of network protocols and firewall configurations specific to voice and video traffic.

• Deployment & Implementation:
• Assist in the rollout and configuration of the new Cisco Collaboration solution across multiple sites.
• Support the configuration of complex call routing, dial plans, voice gateways (including analog), and SIP trunks.
• Aid in the physical deployment and migration of over 7,600 endpoints (VoIP and analog).
• Maintenance & Support:
• Proactively monitor and maintain the health of all UC systems (CUCM, CUC, CER, UCCX).
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex collaboration issues related to call quality, connectivity, and features.
• Perform scheduled software upgrades, security patching, and system maintenance.
• Security & Compliance:
• Ensure all solutions strictly adhere to organizational security policies and DoD compliance standards.
• Implement and validate encryption, authentication, and other secure communication protocols.
• Documentation & Knowledge Transfer:
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including SOPs, network diagrams, and configuration guides.
• Provide training and operational handover to Tier 1 and Tier 2 support teams.
• Collaboration:
• Work closely with network, security, and service desk teams to ensure seamless integration and service delivery.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and provide subject matter expertise on collaboration technologies.