Senior Network Engineering for
High-Stakes Changes and Stuck Projects
14+ years of production telecom and ISP experience. Juniper, Cisco, FortiGate, OcNOS. BGP, MPLS, VPN, firewall migrations, and infrastructure automation.
How I Can Help
Network Engineering Consulting
Firewall migrations, BGP/OSPF/MPLS design, VPN architecture, SD-WAN/SASE deployments, and vendor-specific troubleshooting across Juniper, Cisco, OcNOS, FortiGate, and Cato Networks environments. Remote and on-site consulting for telecom, ISP, and enterprise networks.
Project Rescue & Design Review
Stalled deployments, failed migrations, and risky maintenance windows. I specialize in taking over stuck projects, auditing existing designs, and delivering clear plans to get things back on track.
Network Automation
Infrastructure-as-code with Ansible, Python, and NetBox. Automated documentation, config generation, compliance checks, and deployment workflows. Move from manual CLI work to repeatable automation.
Selected Projects
Specific client details are anonymized for confidentiality. Technical scope and outcomes are accurate.
Environment
Regional telecom provider, multi-site ISP infrastructure
Tools
Problem
Critical MX204 router deployment had been stalled for 8 months under previous engineering leadership. No clear timeline. Management couldn't get a completion estimate.
Approach
Took ownership of the project, audited existing progress, identified architectural gaps, created a phased implementation plan, and provided a target completion date within the first week.
Result
Delivered full deployment in 9 weeks. BGP peering, IPv6 transit, VoIP services, and multi-site backhaul — all validated and in production.
Environment
Telecom VoIP infrastructure, Cisco ASA firewalls protecting SBC and voice services
Tools
Problem
Critical VoIP firewall migration from Cisco ASA to FortiGate in HA configuration. Project had scattered notes, no clear plan, and a tight deadline with multiple team members needing coordination.
Approach
Consolidated scattered project notes into a coherent execution plan. Configured BGP, OSPF, MPLS, routing, and switching for redundant paths. Coordinated with team leads, delegated tasks across the team, and drove the project to meet the tight deadline.
Result
Successful maintenance cutover completed on schedule with no unplanned events. Full HA redundancy operational.
Environment
Multiple enterprise customers transitioning from legacy SD-WAN to Cato SASE platform
Tools
Problem
Multiple enterprise customers needed migration from legacy 128T SD-WAN to Cato's SASE platform. Each customer had unique network requirements, tight timelines, and needed clear communication throughout.
Approach
Delivered detailed network diagrams and MOPs for each customer. Tailored the migration approach to each customer's needs and technical team. Used lab environments to test configurations before production deployment. Maintained clear communication with all stakeholders throughout.
Result
Achieved 99.9% accuracy within critical timeframes. Third-party customer engineer described it as "one of the smoothest projects he had experienced." Successful migrations led to customers purchasing additional services.
Environment
Telecom service provider, 100+ network devices across multiple sites
Tools
Problem
Network documentation was manual, inconsistent, and perpetually outdated. The company was evaluating outsourcing automation work at significant cost. Engineers spent hours maintaining spreadsheets and diagrams that were always behind reality.
Approach
Stepped in to lead the Ansible-NetBox integration codebase. Built automated documentation pipeline using Ansible to pull live device data and populate NetBox as the source of truth. Led major version upgrades of both NetBox and Ansible, including database migration to newer PostgreSQL as part of Ubuntu OS upgrade.
Result
Saved the company over $150,000 by bringing automation in-house instead of outsourcing. Reduced documentation maintenance from hours of manual work to automated, always-current records.
Engagement Options
60-Minute Advisory Call
Architecture review, second opinion, or troubleshooting guidance. Come with your problem, leave with a plan.
Migration Planning & MOP Review
Fixed-scope review of your migration plan, method of procedures, and rollback strategy before your maintenance window.
Project Rescue Engagement
I take over stalled or failing network projects and get them to completion. Hourly or fixed-scope.
Network Automation Audit
Assessment of your current infrastructure-as-code readiness with a concrete automation roadmap.
Project-based and hourly engagements available. Let's discuss what works best for your situation.
How Engagements Work
Discovery
We discuss your situation, constraints, and goals. I'll ask targeted questions to understand the technical landscape and what success looks like.
Plan & Scope
I provide a clear scope, timeline, and approach document. No surprises, no scope creep. You approve before work begins.
Delivery
I execute the work, keep you informed, and deliver thorough documentation. Clean handoff with everything you need to maintain it going forward.
Justin Thompson
Network Engineer — 14+ Years Telecom & ISP
Progressed from technical support through network administration to network engineer at the same telecom and cybersecurity service provider. Deep, hands-on expertise across Juniper, Cisco, OcNOS, FortiGate, and Cato Networks platforms. Saved my company over $150K by bringing automation in-house.