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What does a lead network engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A Lead Network Engineer ensures network performance through supervising the building of net configurations and connections. They are responsible for securing network systems.

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Lead network engineer responsibilities

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

  • Configure & manage DHCP servers within a large corporate environment.
  • Manage installation and maintenance projects of clusters of Linux base servers and networking equipment around the globe.
  • Develop RFP responses and manage delivery of advance networking and IP telephony engagements.
  • Manage firewall and security issues, including researching, analyzing and reporting technical information regarding information security issues.
  • Manage the first and second releases of a highly customize SharePoint portal application focuse on engaging partners and automating business processes.
  • Implement and support TCP/IP management products such as DNS and DHCP.
  • Experience in TCP/IP, MPLS, QoS, and routing protocol troubleshooting.
  • Configure and test routing policies and load balancing solutions for the customers using BGP, OSPF and EIGRP routing protocols.
  • Utilize strong background in TCP/IP, DNS, addressing and sub netting.
  • Provide network design, planning, and coordination with the service providers to migrate from existing frame-relay network to MPLS network.
  • Implement VPN security via Cisco IPSEC technology configuring redundant Cisco routers and firewalls.
  • Configure and troubleshoot F5 networks LTM.
  • Configure various Cisco routers and protocols for QoS.
  • Upgrade Canadian routers and circuits to Ethernet circuits.
  • Install and configure windows 2003 print and file servers.

Lead network engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Lead Network Engineers are proficient in Firewall, Switches, and Lan Wan. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

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

  • Firewall, 6%

    Deployed and administered company firewall, intrusion detection system and consolidated system logs in accordance with strict corporate guidelines.

  • Switches, 6%

    Initial configuration and troubleshooting of newly deployed Cisco routers and catalyst switches.

  • Lan Wan, 5%

    Supported and administered existing LAN WAN Infrastructure.

  • BGP, 4%

    Configure and tested routing policies and load balancing solutions for the customers using BGP, OSPF and EIGRP routing protocols.

  • Network Infrastructure, 4%

    Provided engineering, implementation and consulting for the content distribution and network infrastructure used in Microsoft's Internet Data Centers worldwide.

  • VPN, 4%

    Designed and implemented B-to-B VPN tunnels utilizing SCEP Cisco-Microsoft IKE certificate enrollment technology.

Common skills that a lead network engineer uses to do their job include "firewall," "switches," and "lan wan." You can find details on the most important lead network engineer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a lead network engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what lead network engineers do because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a lead network engineer resume shows how lead network engineers use analytical skills: "monitored, maintain, dns, hosted microsoft exchange, citrix xendesktop and data backup services. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform lead network engineer duties is communication skills. Lead network engineers responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Lead network engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provision telecommunications orders as requested by dod and other government related organizations. "

Problem-solving skills. lead network engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead network engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A lead network engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "resolved dns related issues along with record addition and deletion. "

All lead network engineer skills

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Compare different lead network engineers

Lead network engineer vs. Network operation technician

A network operation technician is responsible for providing technical assistance with computer network issues. Network operation technicians repair and troubleshoot networks and routers, identifying the source of defects by listening to the customers and determining step-by-step guidelines for resolution. They also configure servers to optimize the network's performance and recommend strategies to improve the system's infrastructure. A network operation technician must have excellent organizational and technical skills, especially in explaining the network problems to the customers and addressing preventive maintenance.

If we compare the average lead network engineer annual salary with that of a network operation technician, we find that network operation technicians typically earn a $45,898 lower salary than lead network engineers make annually.Even though lead network engineers and network operation technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require switches, lan wan, and bgp in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lead network engineer responsibilities require skills like "firewall," "network security," "nexus," and "project management." Meanwhile a typical network operation technician has skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "customer service," "routers," and "rf." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Network operation technicians really shine in the retail industry with an average salary of $74,614. Comparatively, lead network engineers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $116,479.The education levels that network operation technicians earn slightly differ from lead network engineers. In particular, network operation technicians are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead network engineer. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead network engineer vs. Network operations manager

Network operations managers are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing the operation and stability of an organization's network. These managers usually work with local area networks (LAN) or sometimes with wide area networks (WAN), where information can be shared in a building or between different locations. They serve as the middlemen between the IT department and the company's management team to provide an understanding of their IT needs. Network operations managers must also assist the human resource team in recruiting new employees and providing training related to the field of information technology.

On average, network operations managers earn a $11,512 lower salary than lead network engineers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Lead network engineers and network operations managers both require similar skills like "switches," "lan wan," and "bgp" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lead network engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "firewall," "nexus," "eigrp," and "network design." Meanwhile, a network operations manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "itil," "network services," and "level agreements." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Network operations managers earn a lower average salary than lead network engineers. But network operations managers earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $109,619. Additionally, lead network engineers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $116,479 annually.network operations managers earn similar levels of education than lead network engineers in general. They're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead network engineer vs. Network support technician

A network support technician specializes in optimizing a company's information technology (IT) networks for a smooth and efficient workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing issues and concerns, troubleshooting, installing systems, executing upgrades, conducting diagnostic tests, and performing corrective measures as needed. They must also coordinate with staff in developing new IT systems, evaluate existing networks for areas needing improvement, and develop protocols while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, as a network support technician, it is essential to maintain regular network maintenance checks to ensure the security and safety of company data.

An average network support technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of lead network engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to network support technicians earning a $61,548 lower average salary than lead network engineers.By looking over several lead network engineers and network support technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "switches," "lan wan," and "network infrastructure." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lead network engineer is likely to be skilled in "firewall," "bgp," "nexus," and "project management," while a typical network support technician is skilled in "troubleshoot," "customer service," "provides technical support," and "desk support."

Network support technicians make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $48,633. On the other hand, lead network engineers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $116,479.When it comes to education, network support technicians tend to earn lower degree levels compared to lead network engineers. In fact, they're 7.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Lead network engineer vs. Senior infrastructure engineer

A senior infrastructure engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and infrastructures based on client preferences and industry standards. They have the duty to identify and understand the project's needs, streamline project requirements, produce drafts, create prototypes and models, and establish tests to identify potential issues and ensure the projects' quality. Additionally, a senior infrastructure engineer has the authority to make decisions, train and supervise junior engineers, establish goals and timelines, provide technical support, and implement policies and guidelines.

Senior infrastructure engineers tend to earn a higher pay than lead network engineers by an average of $7,595 per year.While both lead network engineers and senior infrastructure engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like firewall, switches, and lan wan, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead network engineers and senior infrastructure engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead network engineer might have more use for skills like "ospf," "network security," "project management," and "eigrp." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior infrastructure engineers require skills like "cloud," "aws," "customer service," and "azure. "

Senior infrastructure engineers enjoy the best pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $123,360. For comparison, lead network engineers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of senior infrastructure engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to lead network engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of lead 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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