Lead Network Engineer

About Us:

Fortitude, backed by DCG, is an institutional-scale, vertically integrated venture mining platform operating across the Proof-of-Work ecosystem and anchored in Zcash. The Company pairs self-mining operations with an owned data center footprint, a diversified power portfolio backed by competitive long-term contracts, and disciplined capital allocation to identify and scale high-conviction opportunities in emerging Proof-of-Work protocols, beginning with its leadership position in the Zcash network.

Fortitude is led by an experienced team of operators, capital markets professionals, and digital asset specialists with a track record of identifying and scaling high-conviction opportunities and building privacy-preserving digital asset infrastructure.

Description

The Lead Network Engineer is a key member of the IT & Cybersecurity team, responsible for implementing, maintaining, and securing network infrastructure supporting mission-critical mining operations. Reporting to Director of Network Operations, this role leads network deployments based on approved architecture designs and project requirements, ensuring implementation quality, performance, reliability, and operational readiness. Responsibilities include maintaining network documentation, topology diagrams, technical procedures, disaster recovery playbooks, and security controls. The engineer supports mining operations, curtailment connectivity, OT network integrations, and cybersecurity initiatives while adhering to established security standards and change management processes. This role also provides technical guidance, post-deployment validation, incident response, day-to-day operational support, and on-call coverage to ensure the reliability and availability of mission-critical infrastructure supporting 24/7 mining operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, and UniFi network infrastructure, including firewalls, switches, and wireless systems, based on approved architecture designs and project requirements.
• Lead end-to-end network deployments, including implementation planning, configuration, testing, quality assurance, documentation, and production handoff, ensuring successful delivery and operational readiness.
• Support network operations, troubleshooting, and performance optimization across switching, VLANs, Trunks, LAGs, TCP/IP, DNS, routing, NAT, WAN, SD-WAN connectivity, and firewalls.
• Execute physical network buildouts, including rack assembly, structured cabling, wireless infrastructure, WAN fiber connectivity, Starlink systems, and security camera deployments.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and on-site personnel to execute network deployments, troubleshoot infrastructure issues, and ensure implementation quality.
• Support network infrastructure for mining operations and curtailment systems, including the implementation and integration of operational technology (OT) networks, smart PDUs, Foreman, utility/RTAC connectivity, and related infrastructure.
• Implement and maintain network monitoring integrations, including SNMP device onboarding into LibreNMS, alert configuration and validation, and troubleshooting.
• Support network automation initiatives, configuration management, infrastructure integrations, and continuous operational improvements.
• Maintain the Production Support Lab (PSL) to validate infrastructure changes, test configurations, develop disaster recovery playbooks, and conduct recovery exercises in accordance with change management procedures.
• Support Security Operations (SecOps) by implementing, documenting, and validating network security controls and firewall policies, analyzing network traffic and threats using FortiAnalyzer, investigating suspicious activity and high-risk vulnerabilities, and supporting security audits through technical evidence collection.
• Develop and maintain network topology diagrams, configuration baselines, SOPs, MOPs, and deployment standards to ensure consistency, security, and operational readiness across sites.
• Follow established change management processes, security policies, and implementation standards, ensuring proper testing, approvals, documentation, and post-deployment validation.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call support, providing technical escalation, incident response, and troubleshooting for critical network outages and service disruptions.
• Travel approximately 30% based on business needs, network deployments, infrastructure projects, and site support requirements. Travel includes regional site visits in the Midwest and occasional air travel.

ABOUT YOU:

Minimum Qualifications; Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional IT experience.
• 5–10 years of experience in network engineering, network administration, infrastructure support, or a related technical role.
• Active CCNA, CCNP, or Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) in Secure Networking certification required.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise switching, routing, firewalls, wireless networking, and WAN connectivity; experience with Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, and/or UniFi technologies preferred.
• Strong understanding of the OSI model and networking fundamentals, including Ethernet, TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, routing, switching, and firewall policies.
• Experience with network monitoring, SNMP, performance analysis, incident troubleshooting, configuration backups, and device recovery procedures.
• Ability to perform physical network installations, including structured cabling, equipment racking, wireless access point installation, and related field work.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical leadership skills, with the ability to independently execute network deployments and manage implementation activities with minimal supervision.
• Experience with network automation, scripting, operational technology (OT), mining infrastructure, or automated systems is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to participate in on-call support and travel up to 50% to Fortitude locations as business and operational needs require.

Preferred Qualifications; Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Interest/Experience in cryptocurrency and/or Blockchain
• Strong technical aptitude and the ability to learn complex systems quickly
• Documentation experience, especially diagramming system data flows and connectivity

A range of compensation is provided for transparency; however, different factors may affect this range. Some of these factors may include (but are not limited to) education, training, credentials, skills, geographic location, and experience. This range only includes base compensation and does not include other tangible benefits such as 401K match, bonuses, overtime pay, and other benefits.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• The chance to work in a fast-paced and fun start-up environment with experienced industry leaders
• A learning environment where you can dive deep into the latest technologies and make an impact
• Competitive base salary, bonus and incentive compensation
• Discretionary time off - work with your manager to take time off when you need it
• Professional development budget with flexibility for personal and professional growth
• Outstanding health insurance for employee, partner and dependents
• Life insurance, short-term & long-term disability coverage
• 401K plan with company contribution
• Flexible spending programs for medical and dependent care
• Paid parental leave

ENVIRONMENT:

This role operates in a combination of office, remote, and active infrastructure environments, including data center, industrial, and mission-critical operational facilities across the United States. The position requires frequent travel to company sites and partner facilities to support infrastructure deployments, operational maintenance, troubleshooting, and network expansion initiatives.

Work may include extended periods of standing, walking, climbing ladders, working within equipment racks, handling cabling and hardware components, and operating in environments with elevated noise levels, varying temperatures, and active electrical and mechanical infrastructure. Employees may occasionally be required to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

The Network Engineer is expected to follow all applicable company safety procedures, operational protocols, and OSHA regulations while working in production and field environments. This includes adherence to site access requirements, electrical safety practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures where applicable, and established physical security and operational compliance standards.

This role supports a 24/7 operational environment and may require participation in after-hours maintenance activities, on-call rotations, emergency response efforts, and scheduled infrastructure deployments as business needs require.

Fortitude Mining takes pride in an environment that puts our team at the center. We believe a strong culture built around our people sets the foundation for how we operate as a business.

Employees have opportunities to share thoughts, opinions, and ideas through regular company meetings, town halls, and team events.

We emphasize the importance of each individual through engagement, teamwork, and creating an environment where everyone feels part of the team.

Fortitude Mining is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, marital status, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit-based factors protected under federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.