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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Network Engineer

💰 $85,000 - $145,000

Information TechnologyInfrastructureNetworking

🎯 Role Definition

As a Network Engineer, you are the architect and guardian of an organization's digital nervous system. You will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of our network infrastructure, from initial design and implementation to ongoing management, security, and optimization. This role is crucial for ensuring seamless, secure, and high-performance connectivity that underpins all business operations. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who can manage complex network environments, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive innovation in our network technologies and processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Network Technician / Administrator
  • IT Support Specialist (with a networking focus)
  • Junior Network Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Network Engineer
  • Network Architect
  • Principal Network Engineer / Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Cybersecurity Engineer / Analyst
  • Cloud Engineer / Cloud Network Specialist
  • DevOps Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, deploy, and maintain robust and scalable LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data center network infrastructures to meet business requirements.
  • Configure, install, and manage a wide range of network hardware and services, including routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and wireless access points from vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and Arista.
  • Proactively monitor network performance, availability, and resource utilization, implementing strategic capacity planning to support future growth and demand.
  • Implement and manage advanced routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP) to ensure efficient and resilient data traffic flow across a complex enterprise network.
  • Secure the network perimeter and internal segments by designing, implementing, and managing firewall policies, access control lists (ACLs), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
  • Lead the troubleshooting and resolution of complex network issues (Level 2/3), utilizing packet capture tools like Wireshark and monitoring platforms to diagnose root causes swiftly.
  • Develop and execute network automation strategies using scripting languages such as Python and automation tools like Ansible to streamline repetitive tasks and reduce manual errors.
  • Manage the configuration and lifecycle of critical network services, including DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (IPAM) to ensure reliability and proper resource allocation.
  • Implement and support SD-WAN solutions to optimize application performance and connectivity between corporate headquarters, data centers, and branch offices.
  • Participate in the design and management of cloud networking components in AWS, Azure, or GCP, including VPCs, Transit Gateways, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute.
  • Execute network maintenance and upgrades, including firmware updates, patches, and hotfixes, following strict change management procedures to minimize downtime.
  • Configure and troubleshoot site-to-site and remote access VPN solutions to ensure secure connectivity for remote employees and business partners.
  • Manage and configure load balancers (e.g., F5 BIG-IP, Citrix NetScaler) to ensure high availability and optimal distribution of traffic for critical applications.
  • Collaborate closely with systems, security, and application teams to translate their requirements into network designs and ensure end-to-end service performance.
  • Conduct thorough network assessments and security audits to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement, ensuring compliance with industry standards (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, etc.).

Secondary Functions

  • Develop and maintain comprehensive, up-to-date documentation for all network architecture, configurations, standards, and operational procedures.
  • Evaluate emerging network technologies, services, and vendor solutions to recommend strategic enhancements and modernization of the network infrastructure.
  • Liaise with telecommunication providers and hardware/software vendors to escalate and resolve complex issues, manage service contracts, and procure equipment.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation to provide after-hours and weekend support for critical network incidents and emergencies.
  • Contribute to the development and testing of disaster recovery and business continuity plans for network services.
  • Mentor junior team members, sharing knowledge and providing guidance on best practices in network engineering and troubleshooting.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Routing & Switching: Deep expertise in enterprise-level routing (BGP, OSPF) and switching (VLANs, STP, LACP) protocols and technologies.
  • Network Security: Hands-on experience with next-generation firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA), VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).
  • Vendor Hardware: Proficiency with configuring and managing hardware from major vendors like Cisco (IOS, NX-OS), Juniper (JUNOS), and Arista.
  • Cloud Networking: Strong understanding of networking concepts in public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), including VPC/VNet design, security groups, and hybrid connectivity.
  • Network Automation: Practical skills in scripting (Python preferred) and using automation frameworks (Ansible) to manage network configurations and deployments.
  • Load Balancing: Experience with application delivery controllers and load balancers such as F5 BIG-IP or Citrix NetScaler.
  • Monitoring & Analysis: Proficiency with network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios) and packet analysis software (Wireshark).
  • SD-WAN Technologies: Familiarity with implementing and managing SD-WAN platforms like Cisco Viptela, Silver Peak, or VeloCloud.
  • Core Network Services: Solid knowledge of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM.
  • Wireless Networking: Experience with designing, deploying, and troubleshooting enterprise-grade WLAN solutions (e.g., Cisco Meraki, Aruba).

Soft Skills

  • Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to systematically and logically troubleshoot complex, multi-faceted network issues under pressure.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A proven track record of working effectively within IT teams and across business departments.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage network-related projects, from planning and design to implementation and closure, while meeting deadlines.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to configuration, documentation, and change management to ensure accuracy and network stability.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of professional certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP) and hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related engineering discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology / Systems
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • Network Security

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in a network engineering role.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a large-scale, multi-vendor enterprise or data center environment.
  • Demonstrable experience leading network infrastructure projects.
  • Experience in a regulated industry (e.g., finance, healthcare) is a plus.
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