Omar D. Sanchez

Network & Automation Engineer
USMC VeteranSecret Cleared9+ yrs DoD Networks

Network & Automation Engineer with over nine years of experience in Department of Defense network infrastructures. My path began in the U.S. Marine Corps building, securing, and maintaining mission-critical communications under pressure. I bring that same discipline and a security-first mindset to the modern enterprise — designing resilient architectures, implementing robust security controls, and automating complex operations with Python and Ansible to build faster, more intelligent networks.

Omar D. Sanchez
About

From the battlefield to the backbone.

My passion for network engineering was forged in the U.S. Marine Corps. For eight years I engineered secure satellite networks where 99.9% uptime wasn't a goal — it was the mission. Every signal mattered.

Transitioning out was an acceleration, not an end. I moved through the technologies that form the digital nervous system of modern enterprise: from the physical layer to the application, from routing and security to automation. Not just certifications — a deliberate, aggressive pursuit of deep, practical knowledge.

I'm an engineer who improves systems through intelligent design and automation, not just one who maintains them. I'm not looking for a job — I'm looking for a mission.

  • Jan 2016Enlisted — U.S. Marine Corps. Began service and technical leadership.
  • Feb 2024Honorably concluded eight years of service as a Sergeant; pivoted full-time to network engineering.
  • Jun 2025Earned the Cisco trifecta — CCNA, DevNet Associate, and Cybersecurity Associate.
  • Aug 2025Completed university Capstone: designed, built, and tested a multi-site enterprise network.
  • Aug 2025Earned B.S. in Network Engineering and Security.
Capabilities

Technical skills & expertise.

Routing & Switching

RoutingOSPF, BGP, HSRP, Static & Default
SwitchingSTP (RPVST+), EtherChannel (LACP/PAgP), VTP, VLANs, 802.1Q
AddressingIPv4, IPv6, Subnetting, VLSM
PlatformsCisco IOS, Brocade IOS

Automation & Programming

LanguagesPython, Ansible, Git & version control
Frameworks / APIsNETCONF, RESTCONF, REST APIs, Cisco NSO

Network Security

Access ControlACLs, Port Security, NAC (802.1x), RADIUS
Threat MitigationDHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection
InfrastructureFirewalls, VPNs, NAT/PAT
ComplianceSTIGs, hardening

Services & Virtualization

Core ServicesDHCP + Relay, DNS, NTP, SNMP, Syslog
VirtualizationGNS3, VMware, Docker
Network & Automation

Infrastructure, labs & troubleshooting.

Dual Site 3-Tier Network Lab
Featured

Dual Site 3-Tier Network Lab

A comprehensive GNS3 simulation of a resilient, dual-site enterprise network using a three-tier architecture. Implements OSPF, HSRP, NAT, and advanced Layer 2 security.

Goal To design and build a complete enterprise network from the ground up in GNS3. It serves as a practical showcase of my mastery of core routing, switching, and security principles, integrating key technologies like OSPF, HSRP, and advanced Layer 2 security to create a resilient and scalable infrastructure.

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WGU Capstone - Network Design
Featured

WGU Capstone - Network Design

A comprehensive capstone project involving the design, implementation, and testing of a secure, multi-site enterprise network. The architecture features a collapsed-core design, a site-to-site IPsec VPN, and high availability with HSRP. The network utilizes a hybrid routing scheme with BGP for external connectivity and OSPF for internal routing, all supported by a full suite of centralized network services and a multi-layered security model including firewalls, ACLs, and 802.1x.

Goal To demonstrate end-to-end network engineering capabilities, from initial architectural design and IP planning to advanced routing, high-availability, and defense-in-depth security implementation in a simulated enterprise environment.

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Managing Access Control in Windows Server

Managing Access Control in Windows Server

A project demonstrating core system administration skills, including the configuration of DHCP and DNS servers, and the implementation of Active Directory for organizing and securing network resources through Group Policy.

Goal To showcase proficiency in managing foundational enterprise services like Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP, which are critical for any network infrastructure.

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Network Performance and Sniffing

Network Performance and Sniffing

A project showcasing the use of Windows Performance Monitor to baseline network metrics and Wireshark to perform packet sniffing on a file transfer between a client PC and a server, demonstrating traffic analysis skills.

Goal To establish a foundational ability to use industry-standard tools like Performance Monitor and Wireshark for network traffic collection and packet-level analysis.

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Host Discovery and Port Scanning

Host Discovery and Port Scanning

A demonstration of network reconnaissance techniques using tools within Kali Linux, including netdiscover and nmap, to perform host discovery and scan for open ports on a target server in a virtualized environment.

Goal To confirm my practical knowledge of network mapping and security assessment techniques used to identify active devices and potential vulnerabilities.

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Resolve Connectivity Issues

Resolve Connectivity Issues

A lab scenario focused on network forensics where I utilized troubleshooting tools and methodologies to diagnose a connectivity issue, identify the root cause, and implement a verifiable solution.

Goal To demonstrate a systematic and meticulous approach to network troubleshooting, moving from issue identification and analysis to successful resolution.

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Fix Firewall ACL

Fix Firewall ACL

A troubleshooting lab where a misconfigured firewall Access Control List (ACL) was disrupting server connectivity. The project involved analyzing the rule set, identifying the incorrect entry, and applying a fix to restore proper traffic flow.

Goal To solidify and demonstrate an understanding of firewall rule processing and the ability to troubleshoot complex connectivity issues caused by ACL misconfigurations.

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DNS Server Change

DNS Server Change

A lab scenario where a recent DNS server change caused a service outage for a group of users. I worked through the problem by gathering information, identifying the scope of the issue, and implementing the correct DNS changes to resolve it.

Goal To showcase methodical troubleshooting by using available information to pinpoint a DNS configuration error and apply the correct fix to restore service.

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Python

Applications & tooling.

Todo App

Todo App

A distraction-free web app to help you focus on creating and completing tasks. Built using streamlit.

Goal To gain familiarity with the streamlit library and use it to develop python web applications.

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Portfolio Website

Portfolio Website

A website built entirely in Python to showcase coding projects and apps.

Goal Use knowledge learned to showcase my learned skills and abilities with networking and python.

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FlashCards

FlashCards

A flashcard app built in Python. Minimal functionality built in. MVC design pattern used with Tkinter as the GUI.

Goal Practice working with csv data using the Pandas module.

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Password Manager

Password Manager

A password manager built in Python. Support password generation and login search and lookup. MVC and Tkinter.

Goal Learn data structures and manipulation using the pandas module, reading from and saving to files.

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Snake

Snake

A version of snake created in Python using the turtle module.

Goal Gain knowledge of an event-based design and introduction to OOP fundamentals.

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Pomodoro Timer

Pomodoro Timer

A pomodoro timer. Cycles between 25-min and 5-min intervals and finally one last 20 min section.

Goal Gain familiarity with simple UI design concepts and working with timers to create a realistic clock.

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Name the States - US Game

Name the States - US Game

An interactive game where the user inputs state names and if correct the game will write the location on a map. Keeps track of which states need to practiced.

Goal Learn interactive design and I/O management, and file handling.

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Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe

A guizero-based Tic-Tac-Toe game. Uses colors instead of symbols to track player turns.

Goal Implement learned MVC skills, gamestate using @abstractmethod and general logic engagement.

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Credentials

Certifications.

Cisco Certified Network Associate

EarnedJun 8, 2024 ExpiresJun 27, 2028
Certificate↗ID d503d93114064b1987ac008440a31977

Cisco Certified DevNet Associate

EarnedJun 27, 2028 ExpiresJun 27, 2028
Certificate↗ID 01690db6e9964fad9030531f2e2a05d1

Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Associate

EarnedNov 30, 2024 ExpiresJun 27, 2028
Certificate↗ID 76a0c2ca5ad546b6ae6f1454146d9029

CompTIA Security+

EarnedDec 7, 2024 ExpiresDec 7, 2027
Certificate↗ID FKR2FYCYTMQQ1XSF

CompTIA Network+

EarnedNov 29, 2023 ExpiresNov 29, 2029
Certificate↗ID MZ2CWN4RJF14QGGS

CompTIA Cloud+

EarnedFeb 11, 2024 ExpiresFeb 11, 2027
Certificate↗ID X84PM49R121QQM5K

CompTIA Project+

EarnedSep 16, 2024
Certificate↗ID VPB2HLJRF2E4QQKN

CompTIA A+

EarnedJun 23, 2023 ExpiresNov 29, 2029
Certificate↗ID LQD7C20SGJBQQJ92
Contact

Let's build something resilient.

Open to network engineering and automation roles. The fastest way to reach me is directly: