Stephane N. Kabongo
Aurora
Summary
Experienced Network Engineer & Technical Support Specialist with 12+ years in complex, multi-vendor enterprise environments, delivering Tier 2/3 support, root cause analysis, and infrastructure optimization. I am skilled in Apple macOS, Windows, Google Admin, Okta/SSO, Jamf/Intune, and endpoint security, with hands-on expertise in network security, firewalls, automation, and cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP). Proven ability to mentor junior technicians, manage escalations, enhance ticketing systems, and create knowledge base documentation. Adept at ensuring up time, improving processes, and providing customer-focused technical solutions.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Network Engineer III – Enterprise Environment
LEIDOS / NOAA NCEP
07.2022 - Current
- Co-ordinate planned maintenance of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Central Operations (NCO) Network Infrastructure. Designing, Implementing, configuring, and upgrading and changing the network devices. Providing engineering support to the NCEP customer on their network infrastructure, including operations and maintenance (O&M) of networking services, equipment, and software. Which include:
- Provide advanced Tier 3 support for LAN/WAN/WLAN networks across NOAA’s enterprise.
- Execute planned maintenance and complex network changes during after-hours windows.
- Configure and optimize QoS, GRE tunnels, VRRP, VLANs, ACLs, and EAP-TLS RADIUS auth.
- Maintain network integrity using Cisco 65xx/55xx/9xxx, Juniper, and Meraki hardware.
- Provide comprehensive network documentation (Visio, design guides, MOPs).
- Coordinate directly with vendors and telecom carriers on maintenance and escalations.
Network Engineer – Cisco Security Infrastructure
U.S. Dept. of the Interior / SAIC
02.2020 - 07.2022
- As a Network Engineer, I am responsible for designing and Implementing Cisco Security Core Technologies with the help of Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA). I have an in-depth knowledge of firewalls, security infrastructure and VPN functionality, including network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcements.
- Managed Cisco ASA/FTD firewalls, VPNs (DMVPN, GETVPN, SSL-VPN), and dynamic routing.
- Provided vulnerability mitigation and 24x7 on-call incident resolution.
- Used Citrix NetScaler and F5 load balancers for HA configurations.
- Ensured compliance with network policy standards and access control models (AAA, ISE).
Network Engineer – Cisco Security Infrastructure
Xcel Energy
10.2018 - 02.2020
- I worked as an IT Network Engineer, responsible for designing, building, troubleshooting, and supporting production and development of LAN/WAN systems. This includes implementation, configuration, coordinating and control maintenance. Assisted with all field tech support, network support and monitoring for enterprises, perform problem analysis and provide recommendations and enhancements for Telecom and Voice Network
- Acted as escalation point for Level 1 technical support issues, resolving complex end-user device and software problems.
- Managed and maintained Cisco FTD, Juniper SRX, and Windows/macOS environments, ensuring high uptime and user satisfaction.
- Configured and supported Okta SSO, Google Admin, and endpoint management (Jamf, Intune) for identity and device security.
- Conducted root cause analysis and problem management, reducing repeat incidents by 25%.
- Participated in change management, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies for IT operations.
- Provided remote and on-site support, onboarding/offboarding users and ensuring compliance with IT policies.
- Authored and maintained knowledge base articles, SOPs, and escalation guides for L1 teams.
- Mentored junior technicians, promoting “shift-left” troubleshooting and efficient ticket handling.
Network Operations Engineer – NOC Team
CenturyLink / Lumen
05.2018 - 10.2018
- I was part of National Ethernet repair Network Operation Center, working in a customer facing NOC environment with strong knowledge in Metro Ethernet and IP communications and all the CenturyLink/Lumen Platform and technologies such as Blue, Green, Yellow and Orange and (IPv4, Ipv6, routing protocols). Acquired more experience in contemporary technologies (e.g., MPLS L2-L3, IPVPN, Ethernet, ELAN – Eline, VPLS, TCP/IP, BGP, QoS, IP, VLANs, ISIS, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, Cisco CRS, ASR etc. Ensuring that the service conformed to customer mandated SLAs for latency, packet loss, jitter, throughput, and connectivity loss. This includes:
- Experience working on complex IP issues.
- Troubleshooted failed auto negotiation that led to duplex mismatch issues.
- Troubleshooted Egress Bandwidth That Exceeds the Configured Minimum Bandwidth
- Troubleshooting MTU Issues and hardcoding clients with smaller MTU size.
- Performed proactive monitoring of core edge network equipment.
- Monitoring of Network, Systems, Security, and Transport Devices.
- Experience working with ILEC’s and CLEC’s troubleshooting circuits and routers.
- Communicated with customers, management, and team in a National Ethernet repair environment.
- Opened, worked, and resolved trouble tickets notating CenturyLink, customer, carrier, or other vendor, repair details, corrective action taken, and final resolution.
- Communicate with customers and other company teams in a repair situation.
Installation & QA Engineer – Managed Services
Comcast Business
01.2017 - 05.2018
- Worked as part of Quality Service Assurance and Enterprise Managed Services Network Operation Center. I had experience working in a customer facing environment, provided solutions to fortune 1000 companies with 100+ sites. As an Installation Engineer, I had responsibilities for the remote installation, configuring, and tested managed services equipment for new customers, and replaced equipment for existing customers. I acted in compliance with industry and Company technical requirements, standards, policies, and procedures. As an Installation Engineer, I worked under general supervision within Enterprise Managed Solutions.
- Delivered Tier 1–3 technical support for managed services (voice/data), including routers, firewalls (Cisco, Juniper, Ciena), and VoIP/SIP systems.
- Configured, tested, and turned up CPE for new installations; resolved issues with circuits and off-net provider equipment.
- Used Remedy to manage tickets, document issues, and support enterprise clients with network monitoring, Metro-E fiber, and VoIP services.
- Supported field techs and internal teams with chat support, cloud service issues, QA, and service change requests
Network Administrator
Craft Concentration
08.2015 - 12.2016
- Managed Cisco routers using EIGRP; deployed Client-to-Site, Site-to-Site, and SSL VPNs.
- Handled F5 and Foundry/Brocade Load Balancers.
- Conducted equipment testing, purchasing, and field staff training.
- Deployed WPA2 Enterprise Wireless with Cisco ACS and AD integration.
- Designed and implemented network capacity plans for data centers, corporate offices, and regional stores.
Wireless Engineer & IT Support Admin
Snowball Effect
03.2012 - 07.2015
- Designed and deployed enterprise WLANs and wireless RF links; optimized performance and signal quality.
- Administered Palo Alto, Juniper, and Cisco ASA firewalls.
- Used SolarWinds and Splunk for monitoring and performance evaluation.
- Drafted policy documents and procedure manuals led to wireless training for staff.
- Collaborated with teams on VoIP, VPN, security standards, and system recovery plans.
TELKOM
06.2010 - 12.2011
- Supported new IT initiatives and resolved OS, printer, and hardware issues.
- Installed and configured workstations, peripherals, and network devices.
- Maintained site-to-site connectivity and managed software inventories across platforms (Windows/Mac).
Education
Cisco Certified Network Associate - CCNA
Network Online Academy (NOA)
Cisco Certified Network Professional - CCNP
Network Online Academy (NOA)
01.2022
Bachelor’s degree - information technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01.2013
Skills
- Routing Protocols: OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, RIP
- Level 2/3 Technical Support & Escalation Handling
- Advanced Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
- Apple macOS & Windows Endpoint Management (Jamf, Kandji, Intune)
- Cloud & Identity Management (Google Admin, Okta, Azure AD)
- Networking & Security (Cisco FTD, ASA, Juniper SRX, ZTNA, VPNs)
- Automation & Scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
- ITSM / Ticketing Platforms (ServiceNow, Jira, Remedy, SolarWinds)
- Documentation & Knowledge Base Development
- Change & Problem Management
- Mentorship & Shift-Left Knowledge Transfer
- CCNA & CCNP Certified
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
English
French
Swahili
Lingala
Timeline
Network Engineer III – Enterprise Environment
LEIDOS / NOAA NCEP
07.2022 - Current
Network Engineer – Cisco Security Infrastructure
U.S. Dept. of the Interior / SAIC
02.2020 - 07.2022
Network Engineer – Cisco Security Infrastructure
Xcel Energy
10.2018 - 02.2020
Network Operations Engineer – NOC Team
CenturyLink / Lumen
05.2018 - 10.2018
Installation & QA Engineer – Managed Services
Comcast Business
01.2017 - 05.2018
Network Administrator
Craft Concentration
08.2015 - 12.2016
Wireless Engineer & IT Support Admin
Snowball Effect
03.2012 - 07.2015
TELKOM
06.2010 - 12.2011
Cisco Certified Network Professional - CCNP
Network Online Academy (NOA)
Bachelor’s degree - information technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cisco Certified Network Associate - CCNA
Network Online Academy (NOA)