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What does an enterprise network engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Galen Duree
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Enterprise network engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real enterprise network engineer resumes:

  • Manage LAN projects encompassing planning; ordering parts; mounting; cabling; configuring equipment and turning up equipment.
  • Manage LAN and NT domain installation/configuration/support.
  • Manage multiple, simultaneous customer projects of varying complexities while minimizing network impact during change/maintenance windows.
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of emerging technologies, including VOATM and VOIP using a variety of vendor equipment.
  • Develop designs for the event/fault monitoring and automation of TCP/IP networks and UNIX systems, applications, infrastructure components and databases.
  • Serve as a source of knowledge of F5 products.
  • Activate for service, new customer premises equipment such as Cisco routers and switches.
  • Work on the Cisco VOIP call managers, to help troubleshoot IP phone issues.
  • Work with customers to ensure F5 products are implemented in ways that meet customer requirements.
  • Produce highly detail low level design documents such as Visio diagrams, IP spreadsheets and device descriptions.
  • Configure Cisco switches and install physically.
  • Provide failover plans using HSRP redundancy protocol.
  • Create customer documentation for maintaining in-house DNS.
  • Conduct network surveillance activities, with an emphasis on efficient and effective troubleshooting and problem resolution techniques on DWDM transmission equipment.
  • Assist with major switch project by building new T3's and modifying existing T1's.

Enterprise network engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Enterprise Network Engineers are proficient in Juniper, Ethernet, and Switches. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Enterprise Network Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Juniper, 10%

    Administered and maintained network applications (CiscoWorks, OpNet, Juniper Security Manager, , AlterPoint, SolarWinds NPM/NCM.

  • Ethernet, 8%

    Worked with service providers in Installing, Troubleshooting T1 and Switched Ethernet Service (SES) circuits.

  • Switches, 6%

    Configure Cisco switches and installed physically.

  • TCP/IP, 6%

    Developed designs for the event/fault monitoring and automation of TCP/IP networks and UNIX systems, applications, infrastructure components and databases.

  • Firewall, 6%

    Designed and implemented a Remote VPN site with Cisco Secure PIX Firewall 515E.

  • Lan Wan, 6%

    Work on different networking concepts and routing protocols like OSPF and other LAN WAN technologies.

Most enterprise network engineers use their skills in "juniper," "ethernet," and "switches" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential enterprise network engineer responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an enterprise network engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Enterprise network engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed opnet simulation of voip enterprise network to analyze effects of different queuing techniques on qos. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling enterprise network engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to an enterprise network engineer resume, here's how enterprise network engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "monitor, test, repair, and maintain the installation of converged communications hardware on a multi-site lan and wan. "

Problem-solving skills. enterprise network engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to enterprise network engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." An enterprise network engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "unified communication implementation and troubleshooting - installed and maintained cisco unified communications solutions. "

See the full list of enterprise network engineer skills

Compare different enterprise network engineers

Enterprise network engineer vs. Information technology administrator

An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.

We looked at the average enterprise network engineer salary and compared it with the wages of an information technology administrator. Generally speaking, information technology administrators are paid $10,515 lower than enterprise network engineers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between enterprise network engineers and information technology administrators are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like tcp ip, switches, and tcp/ip.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between enterprise network engineers and information technology administrator. For instance, enterprise network engineer responsibilities require skills such as "juniper," "ethernet," "network operations," and "nexus." Whereas a information technology administrator is skilled in "troubleshoot," "linux," "database," and "vmware." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Information technology administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $93,678. On the other hand, enterprise network engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $95,200.On average, information technology administrators reach lower levels of education than enterprise network engineers. Information technology administrators are 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Enterprise network engineer vs. Systems administrator

Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

A career as a systems administrator brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an enterprise network engineer. In fact, systems administrators salary is $6,554 lower than the salary of enterprise network engineers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both enterprise network engineers and systems administrators have skills such as "tcp ip," "switches," and "tcp/ip. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, enterprise network engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "juniper," "ethernet," "firewall," and "network operations." Meanwhile, a systems administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "linux," "troubleshoot," "windows server," and "database." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Systems administrators may earn a lower salary than enterprise network engineers, but systems administrators earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,962. On the other hand, enterprise network engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,200.systems administrators earn similar levels of education than enterprise network engineers in general. They're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for enterprise network engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Galen Duree

Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.

Enterprise network engineer vs. Administrator

Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.

On average, administrators earn lower salaries than enterprise network engineers, with a $10,828 difference per year.enterprise network engineers and administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "dns," "unified communications," and "unix," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from enterprise network engineer resumes include skills like "tcp ip," "juniper," "ethernet," and "switches," whereas an administrator is more likely to list skills in "data entry," "troubleshoot," "payroll," and "financial reports. "

Administrators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $78,798. Comparatively, enterprise network engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $95,200.administrators typically earn similar educational levels compared to enterprise network engineers. Specifically, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Enterprise network engineer vs. Network support analyst

Network support analysts are professionals who provide technical support as well as maintain various network components for an organization's network system. These analysts are responsible for installing and configuring local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet systems, and other components of network systems. They are required to monitor the performance of networks and systems and align network use and access by using master consoles. Network support analysts must also organize and deploy security measures for the network so that they can safeguard software, hardware, and data.

Network support analysts tend to earn a higher pay than enterprise network engineers by an average of $211 per year.While both enterprise network engineers and network support analysts complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like tcp ip, juniper, and ethernet, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "nexus," "f5," "emerging technologies," and "adaptive" are skills that commonly show up on enterprise network engineer resumes. On the other hand, network support analysts use skills like troubleshoot, routers, problem resolution, and network support on their resumes.The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for network support analysts, with average annual pay of $98,644. Comparatively, the highest enterprise network engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.network support analysts reach lower levels of education compared to enterprise network engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 5.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of enterprise network engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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