What does a network design engineer do?
Network design engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network design engineer resumes:
- Manage efficient T1 utilization thresholds in order to balance customer demand and budget constraints.
- Implement HSRP on different location of office on the switched network and managing the entire multilayer switch network.
- Utilize advanced encryption devices to secure communications between all locations manage by the department.
- Experience on designing and troubleshooting of complex BGP and OSPF routing problems.
- Key contributions include troubleshooting of complex LAN /WAN connectivity issues that includes EIGRP.
- Configure, install and troubleshoot CISCO base networks (routers, terminal servers).
- Implement and apply configurations to local and wide area network systems, including routers, switches, and media converters.
- Supervise implementation of Cisco routers to run OSPF over corporate enterprise backbone.
- Configure and activate Cisco routers and switches for new customer installation and troubleshooting.
- Configure routing protocols such as BGP and EIGRP.
- Configure users and devices within CUCM (ver.
- Direct, design and implement project to create site-to-site VPN.
- Document client networks and data center infrastructure using VISIO diagrams.
- Perform network analysis using various tools like Wireshark and Solarwinds.
- Contribute to the troubleshooting and correction associate with Avaya phones.
Network design engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Network Design Engineers are proficient in Network Design, Switches, and Juniper. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Design, 8%
Integrated tenant network enclaves using OSPF/BGP using redundant design solutions minimizing network downtime and providing sustainable network design.
- Switches, 5%
Configured and activated Cisco routers and switches for new customer installation and troubleshooting.
- Juniper, 4%
Experience and CLI understanding of JUNOS due to responsible for investigating traffic flow through the Juniper core.
- Routers, 4%
Supervised implementation of Cisco routers to run OSPF over corporate enterprise backbone.
- Network Infrastructure, 4%
Managed network infrastructure projects and communication between IT and business partners to achieve high customer satisfaction
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Analyzed KPI's and PM counters using NPO, PCMD and MapInfo tools to troubleshoot and optimize the Sprint network performance.
Common skills that a network design engineer uses to do their job include "network design," "switches," and "juniper." You can find details on the most important network design engineer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a network design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role 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 network design engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "provided detailed network traffic analysis in support of capacity management for local broadband services (atm/xdsl). "
Communication skills. Many network design engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a network design engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network design engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "designed and installed a state of the art, fiber based broadband communications system for city of montgomery. "
Problem-solving skills. network design engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to network design engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A network design engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "optimized and managed global dns grid based solution by infoblox. "
The three companies that hire the most network design engineers are:
Choose from 10+ customizable network design engineer resume templates
Build a professional network design engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your network design engineer resume.Compare different network design engineers
Network design 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between network design engineers and administrator. For instance, network design engineer responsibilities require skills such as "network design," "switches," "juniper," and "routers." Whereas a administrator is skilled in "customer service," "data entry," "payroll," and "financial reports." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Administrators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $78,798. In contrast, network design engineers make the biggest average salary, $100,333, in the technology industry.The education levels that administrators earn slightly differ from network design engineers. In particular, administrators are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a network design engineer. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network design 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, network design engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "network design," "juniper," "routers," and "qos." Meanwhile, a systems administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "linux," "windows server," "database," and "powershell." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Systems administrators earn a lower average salary than network design engineers. But systems administrators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. Additionally, network design engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $100,333 annually.systems administrators earn similar levels of education than network design engineers in general. They're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network design engineer vs. Noc technician
A NOC (Network Operations Center) technician is responsible for providing the highest customer service by resolving the customers' technical and network issues that affect the performance and stability of the systems operations. NOC technicians diagnose system failures and create support tickets for immediate troubleshooting. They also assist the system engineers in upgrading the network infrastructure and configuration to prevent system downtimes and operational delays. A NOC technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying technical solutions and achieve the best customer satisfaction for system services.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, network design engineers are more likely to have skills like "network design," "qos," "capacity planning," and "network architecture." But a noc technician is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "trouble tickets," "linux," and "network issues."
Noc technicians earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $56,227. Network design engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $100,333.noc technicians typically earn lower educational levels compared to network design engineers. Specifically, they're 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network design 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.
Types of network design engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











