Freelance Infrastructure Engineer / Technical Lead – Automotive Sector
Location: Ghent Region, Belgium (5 days onsite)
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Type: Freelance / Contract
Project Type: Long-term assignment (12 months+)
About the Client
Our client is a major international player in the Automotive industry, with large-scale manufacturing and logistics operations across Europe. Their Ghent-based environment relies on highly available, secure, and resilient IT infrastructure to support production systems, operational technology, supply chain platforms, and corporate IT services.
Given the mission-critical nature of the automotive production environment, network reliability, security, and performance are essential. The organisation is currently strengthening its infrastructure capabilities to support modernization initiatives, security improvements, and infrastructure-driven transformation projects.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Freelance Infrastructure Engineer / Technical Lead with strong expertise in Network Engineering, Palo Alto, and Cisco technologies.
The role combines deep technical infrastructure expertise with project leadership responsibilities. You will contribute to the design, implementation, and optimization of secure and scalable network infrastructures while also leading key infrastructure initiatives.
Operating in a complex enterprise environment, you will collaborate with security teams, infrastructure architects, operations teams, and project stakeholders to ensure infrastructure solutions meet operational, performance, and security standards.
This position requires a hands-on technical leader capable of both engineering solutions and coordinating infrastructure projects from design to delivery.
Key Responsibilities
1️⃣ Network Infrastructure Engineering
Design, implement, and maintain enterprise-grade network infrastructure.
Manage and optimize Cisco-based networking environments including switching, routing, and core infrastructure.
Configure and maintain Palo Alto firewalls and security policies.
Ensure high availability, scalability, and security of network services.
Support troubleshooting of complex network incidents and performance issues.
Participate in network capacity planning and infrastructure optimization.
2️⃣ Infrastructure Security & Firewall Management
Implement and manage network security architectures using Palo Alto technologies.
Design and maintain firewall policies aligned with corporate security standards.
Support segmentation strategies and secure connectivity across corporate and operational environments.
Collaborate with security teams on vulnerability mitigation and network security improvements.
Ensure compliance with internal security policies and industry best practices.
3️⃣ Infrastructure Project Leadership
Lead and coordinate infrastructure and network-related projects.
Translate business and technical requirements into practical infrastructure solutions.
Drive the planning, execution, and delivery of infrastructure initiatives.
Coordinate with architects, vendors, and internal engineering teams.
Ensure projects are delivered within scope, timeline, and quality expectations.
Provide technical leadership and guidance to infrastructure engineers.
4️⃣ Infrastructure Architecture & Optimization
Contribute to the evolution of the company’s network and infrastructure architecture.
Recommend improvements to increase resilience, performance, and operational efficiency.
Support infrastructure standardization and documentation.
Participate in technical design discussions and architecture reviews.
Ensure infrastructure solutions align with long-term IT strategy.
Required Experience & Skills
7+ years of experience in Infrastructure Engineering or Network Engineering.
Strong hands-on expertise in:
Cisco networking technologies (switching, routing, enterprise networks)
Palo Alto firewalls
Enterprise network security concepts
Network troubleshooting and performance optimization
Experience leading or coordinating infrastructure or network projects.
Solid understanding of enterprise IT infrastructure environments.
Experience working in large-scale or industrial environments (manufacturing, automotive, logistics, etc.) is a strong advantage.
Ability to work both strategically and hands-on technically.
Fluent in Dutch (spoken and written).
Professional working proficiency in English.
Profile
Strong technical leader with a hands-on mindset.
Structured and solution-oriented approach to complex infrastructure challenges.
Comfortable working in high-availability and production-critical environments.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to take ownership of infrastructure initiatives from concept to delivery.
Pragmatic, proactive, and delivery-focused.
Contract Details
Location: Ghent Region, Belgium
Onsite/Remote: 5 days onsite per week
Duration: 12 months+
Contract Type: Freelance / Contract