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Aja Burns
Building Resilient Networks
Solving Complex Problems
Creating Impact Through Engineering

Aja Burns

I design, implement, and support resilient enterprise networks that keep business moving. From routing and segmentation to firewall integration, redundancy, and infrastructure modernization, I bring practical engineering discipline to complex environments where reliability matters.
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Brand Statement |

Build with depth. Operate with clarity. Lead with substance.

My career started with a genuine fascination for computers and technology, but over time that curiosity became a disciplined engineering practice rooted in reliability, problem solving, and continuous growth.

Today, I work in enterprise networking, contributing to the design, implementation, and support of highly resilient infrastructure. I’m motivated by work that requires both technical depth and sound judgment—the kind of work where smart decisions improve stability, security, and long-term operational success.

| What I Do

Enterprise network design
Designing and evolving network infrastructure that supports scale, resiliency, and business continuity.

Routing, segmentation, and redundancy
Building clean, dependable architectures across multiple routing domains, core and edge environments, and failover scenarios.

Security-aligned infrastructure
Working across network and firewall platforms to support secure connectivity without sacrificing operational practicality.

Execution under complexity
Helping move complex initiatives from idea to implementation with a focus on clarity, stability, and real-world results.

Professional Snapshot |

  • Network Engineer II at United Wholesale Mortgage

  • Experience across Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Aruba, F5, and SD-WAN environments

  • Background spanning enterprise networking, security-focused engineering, and infrastructure modernization

  • MBA in Information Systems Management

  • BS in Networking & Information Systems Administration

  • Cisco-Certified Professional

| Personal Note

More than a job title

I’m building more than a career. I’m building a reputation.

My brand is rooted in discipline, curiosity, technical substance, and steady execution. I care about doing meaningful work, continuing to grow, and showing up in a way that reflects both capability and character.

About Me

Engineering with Depth, Clarity, and Intent |

My career started with a genuine curiosity for computers and technology, and over time that curiosity turned into a disciplined engineering practice. Today, I work on challenging network initiatives in a high-demand enterprise environment, helping design and support highly resilient infrastructure.

What sets me apart is the way I approach the work: not just as someone who can maintain networks, but as someone who can understand the bigger picture, solve meaningful problems, and help turn complex technical goals into stable, scalable outcomes.

| What I Bring

Enterprise networking expertise
Experience across routing, switching, segmentation, firewall integration, WAN optimization, and multi-site network design.

Proven execution
I’ve contributed to and led initiatives involving VRFs, dynamic routing, layer 1 modernization, datacenter and building resiliency, SD-WAN, and cloud connectivity.

Business perspective
Alongside deep technical experience, I also bring formal business education that helps me think beyond implementation toward impact, communication, and long-term value.

Core Focus Areas |

  • Enterprise network design and implementation

  • Routing, switching, and segmentation

  • Firewall and security infrastructure integration

  • Resiliency, redundancy, and failover strategy

  • Cloud and third-party connectivity

  • Infrastructure modernization and technical leadership

| My Professional Path

Over the years, I’ve built experience across enterprise IT, network engineering, and network security roles in environments ranging from global manufacturing to large-scale enterprise operations. That path has allowed me to work with technologies from Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Aruba, F5, and SD-WAN platforms while developing a reputation for thoughtful execution and steady problem solving.

I’m especially energized by work that requires both technical depth and strategic thinking—the kind of work where the right design decisions improve reliability, simplify operations, and support growth.

Beyond the Title |

I’m building more than a career. I’m building a body of work and a reputation.

My brand is rooted in discipline, curiosity, leadership, and substance. I care about doing excellent work, continuing to grow, and creating a presence that reflects both technical capability and personal character.

This site is a window into that journey.

| Let’s Connect

Whether you’re here to learn more about my background, explore my experience, or connect professionally, welcome.

Experience

My professional path has allowed me to work across enterprise networking, security infrastructure, multi-site connectivity, and modernization initiatives. The thread across all of it is consistent: solving meaningful infrastructure problems with a balance of technical depth and practical execution.

July 2024 - Present
United Wholesale Mortgage

Network Engineer II

Cisco | Palo Alto

Focused on enterprise network design, routing architecture, resiliency, and complex implementation work in a high-demand environment.

Key areas of contribution include lab modeling with Cisco CML, IP addressing strategy for multiple VRFs, iBGP implementation across routing domains, dynamic routing on Palo Alto firewalls, multi-domain support using VRFs and dot1q encapsulation, and third-party cloud connectivity via MegaPort.

December 2021 - July 2024
United Wholesale Mortgage

Network Engineer I

Cisco | Palo Alto | Noction IRP

Collaborated with peer engineers and architects to design, implement, and support complex network infrastructure across campus and co-location environments.

Highlights included leading a project to create building independence and multi-building internet redundancy, implementing Noction for WAN optimization across DIA circuits, and replacing rack-to-rack MPO fiber infrastructure while using NetBox for end-to-end layer 1 tracking and labeling.

July 2019 - December 2021
Motherson / PKC Group

Network Security Engineer

Cisco | Fortinet | Aruba

Designed and maintained connectivity across multiple sites in the United States and Mexico while supporting firewall and network modernization efforts.

Contributions included infrastructure refreshes across PKC plants and offices, vulnerability management using Tenable Security Center, FortiManager implementation for policy management and compliance, and layer 2 transit switching to improve firewall and internet redundancy.

January 2018 - April 2019
Koch Business Solutions

Network Engineer

Cisco | Viptella | F5

Supported major integration and modernization initiatives tied to the Koch acquisition of Guardian Industries.

Work included integrating SRG Global’s international network into a non-overlapping IP space and helping implement Viptela SD-WAN across SRG Global sites using MPLS and public internet connectivity.

October 2016 - January 2018
SRG Global / Guardian Industries

Network Engineer

Cisco | Zscaler

Served as lead engineer for SRG’s global network spanning 27 sites and supported both infrastructure refreshes and new-facility network deployments.

Additional responsibilities included planning and executing a datacenter migration to a new headquarters building and managing network, unified communications, and firewall platforms.

April 2013 - October 2016
AE&E Corporation

Network Administrator

Cisco | HP |  Open-E | Server 2012 R2 | Exchange 2013

Provided network and server support for multiple businesses across Metro Detroit.

Led the creation of redundant SAN infrastructure with Windows Server Cluster Manager, Hyper-V, and a multi-tenant Exchange 2013 environment, and also contracted as on-site IT Manager for Detroit Chassis.

November 2011 - April 2013
Barracuda Networks

Technical Support Specialist

Barracuda Spam & Virus FW | Barracuda SSL/VPN | Linux

Provided remote backend Linux support for Barracuda devices and assisted customers with initial deployments and troubleshooting across email server and firewall environments.

Education

My educational background reflects both technical depth and business perspective—two things that continue to shape how I approach engineering, problem solving, and long-term professional growth.

Postgraduate Degree

2017 - 2023
Wayne State University

MBA | Information Systems Management

Mike Ilitch School of Business 

Graduate work focused on understanding how businesses operate, compete, and grow, with exposure to entrepreneurship, business modeling, startup financing, and strategic thinking. My capstone centered on creating and presenting a marketing plan for a Detroit business.

Undergraduate Degree

2008 - 2012
Eastern Michigan University

Bachelor of Science | Networking & Information Systems Administration

School of Information Security and Applied Computing 

Built a strong foundation in networking, systems administration, and applied computing while exploring technologies such as Windows Server, Exchange, Linux, and ethical hacking.

Skill Enrichment

2006 - 2008
Focus:Hope

Cisco Networking Academy

Information Technologies Center

Completed Cisco Networking Academy and the Focus:HOPE Technology Program, building early technical foundations and earning industry credentials.

High School

1999 - 2003
Cass Technical High School

High School Diploma | Computer Programming

Completed college preparatory coursework with a concentration in computer programming.

Certifications

Certifications are one part of how I validate and deepen my technical foundation. They reflect continued investment in networking knowledge, professional discipline, and growth.

Contact

Get in Touch

313.434.3333

Detroit, MI

1@tekmediks.com

Aja Burns