Network Engineer

Network Engineer Job Description

Network engineers are tasked with ensuring networks are reliable, available, and maintained with minimal disruption. They control network operation and maintain network infrastructure and equipment. Additionally, they provide technical support, reporting network problems and responding to work assignments and tickets from users. They troubleshoot network issues and complications with software and hardware, implementing solutions and responding to reports of technical errors. Network engineers replace and maintain hardware components and install and manage network equipment such as routers, switches, and other network devices. Management and installation of systems and software may also be part of this role. The network support engineer must ensure the security and reliability of all components of the computer networks, using system configurations as needed and monitoring the network’s performance and availability.

Network engineering requires an understanding of the hardware and software required for network functionality. Key responsibilities include installing new servers, hardware, and software infrastructure, allocating network resources, routing and switching, and providing network support and training. Additional duties of network engineers include implementing and monitoring network security, diagnosing and resolving fault problems, and planning the ongoing development of the entire system.

Requirements for a position in network engineering include a strong understanding of network security, network management, wireless network services, and infrastructure management. They are responsible for supporting firewall environments, maximizing the network's performance, and participating in disaster recovery operations. It is vital for network engineers to possess the problem solving skills necessary to efficiently resolve network problems such as network traffic control issues or power outages.

Network engineers may be required to work closely with network architects to create a secure network system, and they may be tasked with firmware upgrades and hardware changes. Other tasks can include troubleshooting system problems and performing network error investigations. The network engineer’s responsibilities may include planning infrastructure, evaluating new technologies as well as developing detailed network specifications, maintaining compliance with standards, and contributing to the design, implementation, and maintenance of the infrastructure. Other tasks may include routing LAN, WAN, and wireless network services as well as supporting and maintaining various Internet Service Technologies, including Internet Protocol (IP), TCP/IP, IPv6, IPv8, IPv3, and IP8.

Senior network engineers manage and use data and communication networks ranging from LANs to cloud infrastructure and often connecting large areas. They focus on providing highly available infrastructure to maintain the security and reliability of the network, as well as the availability of data, communications, and other network services.

Network engineer duties include designing and implementing network configurations, monitoring networks, and installing and maintaining the network’s infrastructure and tools. They often work internally within the organization or with outside consultants and overlap with other network engineering roles in other areas of the organization, such as data centers and cloud infrastructure.

Additional responsibilities can include creating detailed network diagrams and documents with a focus on network configuration, network management, and network security tasks such as updating virus protection software, as well as infrastructure management. They protect data, applications, and hardware by organizing, preparing, and enforcing network security measures. Network engineering duties include maintaining the infrastructure and the related computing environments of a corporate network, such as servers, storage devices, networks, data centers, and the software and hardware that supports the connectivity and operation of enterprise networks.

A network engineer designs the computer infrastructure based on business requirements and evaluates how information should flow within an organization and how it interacts with other computer systems. They spend a considerable amount of time mapping data streams, especially as networks grow in size and complexity. To build a networking environment, they must install, configure, and document the installation of network devices and systems according to design specifications.

This role is essentially responsible for ensuring that their customers can go online easily, securely, and reliably. Network support technicians add components to the network to support and maintain the existing hardware. They focus on providing a stable network and maintaining servers with a consistent connection, as well as monitoring and maintaining computer networks. Those looking to advance may consider obtaining certifications such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), or CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional).

A network engineer is a technology professional who is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring all necessary measures to support computers and networks. Typical tasks of a network engineer can include implementing network solutions, troubleshooting, configuring security systems, and ensuring the system operates at maximum performance for customers. Although synonyms such as "network technician" are sometimes used, network technology has more management tasks than a network administrator. The engineering side tends to be more concerned with planning, design, and technical specifications, while the administration side is predominantly concerned with the management and maintenance of the network’s infrastructure. The senior network engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a network system. In large organizations, network technicians often start in the position of network technician and rise to network management positions or other roles over time.