Job Title: Senior - IP Planning

Job Summary:

The Senior IP Planning professional is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and optimization of IP address space management within an organization’s network. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring network scalability, efficient IP address allocation, and maintaining high levels of performance and security. The Senior IP Planner works closely with network engineers, architects, and cross-functional teams to ensure that IP address planning aligns with organizational needs and industry standards. This role is crucial for planning and implementing large-scale IP infrastructure and ensuring network growth while reducing the risks of address conflicts and exhaustion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead IP Address Management: Oversee the design, implementation, and management of IP address allocation and IP subnetting, ensuring efficient use of IP space.
• Strategic Network Design: Plan and implement IPv4 and IPv6 address schemes for large-scale networks, ensuring they scale with future expansion needs.
• IPv6 Transition Planning: Lead the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, including IPv6 addressing scheme creation, deployment strategies, and ensuring smooth migration across network segments.
• Network Optimization & Routing Protocols: Design and implement IP routing protocols (BGP, OSPF) to ensure optimized network traffic flow and efficient routing.
• IP Utilization Monitoring: Conduct periodic audits of IP utilization and proactively address potential issues like IP exhaustion, address conflicts, and IP address block management.
• Collaborate with Engineering Teams: Work with network engineers and security teams to integrate IP address management into broader network infrastructure and security policies (e.g., firewalls, VLANs, ACLs).
• Documentation & Compliance: Ensure all IP addressing strategies and configurations are thoroughly documented, and ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., IETF, ARIN, RIPE, APNIC) and organizational policies.
• IPAM Tools Management: Configure, maintain, and optimize IP Address Management (IPAM) tools (e.g., Infoblox, SolarWinds, BlueCat), ensuring accurate records and tracking of IP address assignments.
• Troubleshooting & Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve complex IP-related issues such as network connectivity failures, address conflicts, and routing inefficiencies.
• Training and Mentoring: Mentor and guide junior and mid-level IP planners, providing training on best practices and new technologies related to IP management and network planning.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• Advanced expertise in IP addressing, subnetting, supernetting, and CIDR notation for both IPv4 and IPv6.
• Strong knowledge of IP routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP.
• Hands-on experience with IP Address Management (IPAM) solutions and network monitoring tools.
• Proficiency with network analysis and troubleshooting tools (Wireshark, SolarWinds, NetFlow).
• Familiarity with network security practices and integrating IP address management with firewall configurations, VPNs, VLANs, and access control lists (ACLs).
• In-depth understanding of IPv6 migration strategies and addressing plans, as well as the ability to develop and implement transition roadmaps.
• Experience with IP network optimization to improve routing efficiency and ensure the network’s performance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing tasks and delivering results while ensuring network stability.

Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, Networking, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Certifications: Cisco CCNP/CCIE, Juniper JNCIP/JNCIE, or equivalent certifications in IP planning and networking.

Key Focus Areas:

• IP Address Design & Optimization.
• IPv4/IPv6 Transition and Management.
• Routing Protocols & Network Optimization.
• Advanced Troubleshooting and Diagnostics.

Experience:

• 7-10 years of hands-on experience in network engineering, IP planning, or telecommunications, with at least 3-5 years of experience in a senior role or similar capacity.
• Proven track record of successful IPv6 migration projects, IP address optimization, and large-scale network deployments.

Tools and Equipment:

• IPAM Solutions (e.g., Infoblox, BlueCat, SolarWinds, Men&Mice).
• Network Analysis Tools (e.g., Wireshark, PRTG, Nagios, NetFlow).
• Routing/Switching Equipment (Cisco, Juniper, Arista, etc.).
• Advanced Security & Monitoring Tools (e.g., FortiGate, Palo Alto, Check Point).

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and lead large projects.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.