Principal Network Engineer
BHE Renewables
Salary undisclosed
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Description
Serves as enterprise-wide subject matter expert for network design, standards, and operations. Leads the development and execution of network transformation implementation, including data center modernization, cloud connectivity, and secure edge networking. Provides technical mentorship to network engineers and cross-functional teams.
Champion network inventory management processes, automation and orchestration tools such as Ansible, Python, and other tools to reduce manual effort and improve network agility through programmatic means.
Define and enforce network engineering standards, best practices and operational procedures.
Develop and maintain comprehensive well-documented detailed designs, standards, and diagrams.
Stay current on vendor product roadmaps and maintain escalation points with key vendors to ensure a consistent focus on the technical roadmap and future technology enhancements.
Analyze and test new technology trends validating the impact to cloud strategy and reduction to overall TCO.
Perform research of new technologies and make recommendations to organizational management on new solutions.
Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, application and infrastructure teams to ensure cohesive and secure network integration.
Act as key liaison with vendors, partners, and service providers for technology evaluation and support.
Present technical strategies and project updates to executive leadership and stakeholders.
Provides technical input to assist in development of project planning.
Performs additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science or related technical field or equivalent work experience. (Typically four years of additional related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree. A minimum of three years additional directly related technical experience is required.)
Ten years of experience implementing and running large-scale enterprise IT network in network engineering.
Proven experience with network automation and scripting such as Ansible, Terraform, Python, or purpose-built applications for same.
Expert-level knowledge of multiple areas of technology, including Cisco technologies (ACI, SD-WAN, Nexus, Catalyst and wireless solutions), Palo Alto firewalls, F5 load balancers and Cloudflare, DNS and Domain Registration.
Strong understanding of dynamic routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), firewalls, VPNs, and load balancers.
Experience with hybrid cloud networking and integrations with AWS, Azure, OCI.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.
About this role
BHE Renewables is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead enterprise-wide network strategy and transformation at a major Midwest utility serving over 1.6 million customers. This role goes beyond day-to-day operations: you'll architect large-scale modernization initiatives spanning data center upgrades, cloud connectivity, and secure edge networking while establishing network standards and best practices across the organization. You'll mentor network engineers, drive automation and orchestration efforts using tools like Ansible and Python, and serve as the technical authority on vendor relationships and emerging technologies.
The position demands deep expertise across multiple vendor platforms—Cisco (ACI, SD-WAN, Nexus, Catalyst, wireless), Palo Alto, F5, and Cloudflare—combined with strong fundamentals in routing protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and load balancers. You'll need at least ten years of large-scale enterprise network implementation and operations experience, with proven hands-on work in network automation and scripting. Hybrid cloud networking experience with AWS, Azure, or OCI is essential. A bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, or related field is required, or equivalent progressive work experience.
Beyond technical depth, this role requires you to think strategically: evaluating new technologies against cloud strategy and total cost of ownership, presenting technical roadmaps to executive leadership, and collaborating across cybersecurity, cloud, and infrastructure teams. You'll be based in Des Moines, Iowa, working hybrid, and reporting directly on network transformation initiatives that support a utility company with significant renewable energy assets.
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Pay for this role
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