Solutions Engineer – Wireless Networking

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Solutions Engineer – Wireless Networking  for our First Quality Enterprises company working remotely. 

The Network / Voice Team within Infrastructure provides strategic direction, technical/functional expertise, and platform management for First Quality’s wired and wireless network and firewall solutions which include:  LAN/WAN, Wireless LAN and related components, Firewalls, and tools and platforms that support the networking and security systems at First Quality. The Solutions Engineer, as a key member of the team, provides functional and technical leadership for the delivery of First Quality’s IT Infrastructure.   

This position is responsible for the delivery of assigned systems and technologies. The person in this role will interact with team members at manufacturing sites and data centers as well as work directly with the Network Architect to develop functional specifications and execute on the delivery of solutions including integration with other FQ systems and infrastructure.

This position serves as the “builder” for wireless network services and, as such, is responsible for service transition to the Support organization and serves as the critical support escalation point for these services. The person in this position owns their assigned system(s) and interacts with all divisions and departments within First Quality.  

The person in this position will work closely with the leaders and associates of First Quality’s IT and Security organizations to maintain a complete end-to-end Infrastructure systems lifecycle (architecture to delivery to support). As such, proven evidence of being a team player is critical for success in this role.

This individual will maintain and emphasize a balance of the People, Process, Technology, and Data aspects surrounding the wireless network infrastructure and ensure all are accounted for in any designs, implementations, and operation.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Primary responsibility for architecting and implementing enterprise class wireless networks in high-density environments, ensuring uptime and scalability both in the office, manufacturing, and warehouse space.

• Works closely with the Network Architect to create functional specifications, and low-level technical designs.

• Delivers and implements wireless solutions which meet the processing capacity and stability needs of the First Quality business.

• Improve throughput, reduce latency, and enhance user experience through advanced tuning and monitoring of the network and devices.

• Diagnoses and resolves connectivity issues across switches, routers, wireless controllers, and access points as well as all wireless endpoints including but not limited to laptops, printers, tablets, mobile devices, RF guns, Self-Guided Vehicles (SGV), and IoT devices.

• Integration of IoT devices, private 5G networks, and cloud-managed wireless solutions.

• Creates test plans, test scripts, and executes to ensure the services operate as expected.

• Leads wireless security remediation activities, reducing vulnerabilities, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

• Develops all the required technical documentation, drawings, and release notes content at time of delivery to be provided to Operations Team for ongoing support.

• Responsible for service transition to the support team including, but not limited to, knowledge transfer sessions and documentation review.

• Creates any necessary user training or guide materials.

• Provides updated and timely status reports to Project Managers or Solutions Architects.

• Participates in Budget Process and Financial Management of the hardware, platforms, and services responsible for.

• Attends customer/internal customer facing meetings as required.

• Ensures adherence to IT Architecture principles and guidelines.

• Acts as a Level 3 escalation for support activities.

• Collaborates with outsourced partners in delivery of network and voice services.

• Delivers effective communications both written and verbal.

• Updates job knowledge by attending educational opportunities and training events.

• Will primarily be focused on wireless network technologies but also contribute on the wired side as well (80/20 ratio).

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in Network (LAN/WAN) and minimum 5+ years of hands-on wireless engineering/configuration activities.

• Strong understanding of Wireless Technologies: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 5G/LTE, WLAN.

• Possess thorough knowledge of Network Infrastructure and topologies with hands-on experience with: Cisco (Catalyst, Meraki), Aruba, and other enterprise-grade wireless devices.

• Certifications: CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator), CCNP Wireless, CompTIA Network+, Aruba Certified Mobility Professional preferred, though not required.

• Possess an extensive knowledge of RF planning, spectrum analysis, site surveys, and coverage optimization.

• Experience with a variety of wireless antenna types (omni, directional, sector, etc.) as well as placement and orientation for optimal coverage and mitigation of interference.

• Experience configuring and supporting Aruba ClearPass for 802.1x radius and TACACS authentication.

• Knowledge and understanding of SDWAN Technologies and Providers

• Hands-on experience with configuring and utilizing network monitoring and management tools.

• Experience creating and updating network documentation including diagrams in Visio.

• Basic knowledge of standards and methodology of ITIL and Project Management.

• Strong problem solving and decision-making ability with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals

• Results oriented, customer-focused, team player

• Highly motivated

• Ability to execute

• Problem analysis and problem resolution

• Planning: an ability to think and plan over a 12–36-month time span

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate to both business and technical individuals

• Ability to influence and lead change

• Strong influence skills – ability to deliver with indirect report resources

• Proven ability to deliver despite obstacles

• Excellent listener & communicator

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business and IT colleagues

• Assess and develops talent, builds high performance teams

• Shows consistent and appropriate responsiveness to both urgent and non-critical matters

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Majority office environment with onsite plant and warehouse as required.

• The office environment will primarily be remote “home office,” with some in office when needed.

• Ability to work within a 24/7 environment.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities

• Paid time off (three-week minimum)

• Medical, dental and vision starting day one

• 401(k) with employer match

• Paid parental leave

• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)

• Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)

• Tuition assistance

• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums

• ...and more!