What does a network engineer do?
A network engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs. They also check network defects, perform troubleshooting, improve data security systems, and install security updates. A network engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a broad understanding of system codes, programming languages, and network configurations.
Network engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network engineer resumes:
- Manage UCCE deployments which include CUCM, IPIVR, CVP , 3rd party reporting and CUIC.
- Manage UNIX's projects to meet project dateline while solving daily network crisis.
- Perform the tasks of designing, implementing, supporting, and managing networking and telecommunication infrastructure.
- Manage all domain registrations, SSL certificate management.
- Create locally manage and centrally manage gateways on checkpoint firewall.
- Manage and administrate security policy and procedures for all VPN network connectivity and accounts.
- Implement and research network failures and set up system log monitoring servers for the switches and monitor DHCP server accounts.
- Involve in design, documentation, planning and migration of data center fabric from legacy catalyst switches to nexus switches.
- Install all the servers from the domain controller, DNS server, database server, application server and the firewall server.
- Detect and solve the connectivity issue cause by DNS server down, and DHCP conflicts through the issue of double incidence.
- Key contributions include troubleshooting of complex LAN connectivity issues that includes configuring and troubleshooting EIGRP.
- Perform all wireless configurations for enterprise Cisco VoIP project including authentication, encryption and QoS.
- Used VMWARE to share resources.
- Apply QOS for nexus environment.
- Establish the SOUTHCOM data center and telecommunication rooms.
Network engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Network Engineers are proficient in Switches, Troubleshoot, and Network Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Switches, 7%
Lead technical in implementing Cisco IOS Security 802.1x authentication accounting and authorization protocol on 25 network switches across 6 different locations.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Monitor and troubleshoot Wireless communication circuits to provide connectivity for the wireless end users modems in different regional geographic locations.
- Network Infrastructure, 4%
Redesigned and deployed network infrastructure that complies with Citywide Business Process Management objectives leading to further reductions in overhead and costs.
- BGP, 4%
Configured Multi-Homed BGP with different Service Providers, to provide internet redundancy.
- OSPF, 4%
Network configured with OSPF as the primary interior routing protocol encompassing a full-mesh topology.
- Lan Wan, 4%
Work on different networking concepts and routing protocols like OSPF and other LAN WAN technologies.
"switches," "troubleshoot," and "network infrastructure" are among the most common skills that network engineers use at work. You can find even more network engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a network engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what 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 network engineer resume shows how network engineers use analytical skills: "have assisted in the planning and implementation of high level projects such as data center migrations and mpls router upgrades. "
Communication skills. Many network engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a network engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "worked with paetec (isp) to configure mpls communication between sites. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of network engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday network engineer duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "resolved the asymmetric routing issues on the corporate backbone routers that were affecting all services routed over mpls. "
The three companies that hire the most network engineers are:
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
244 network engineers jobs
- Capital One237 network engineers jobs
- Meta217 network engineers jobs
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Compare different network engineers
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, network engineer responsibilities require skills like "firewall," "eigrp," "network design," and "ios." Meanwhile a typical network operation technician has skills in areas such as "network operations," "customer service," "routers," and "trouble tickets." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Network operation technicians tend to make the most money working in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $74,614. In contrast, network engineers make the biggest average salary, $90,927, in the technology industry.network operation technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than network engineers. In fact, network operation technicians are 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, network engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "network design," "f5," "nexus," and "asa." Meanwhile, a network support analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "routers," "problem resolution," "network security," and "vpn." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Network support analysts may earn a higher salary than network engineers, but network support analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $98,644. On the other hand, network engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $90,927.network support analysts earn similar levels of education than network engineers in general. They're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network engineer vs. Senior network administrator
Senior Network Administrators provide system and network solutions for their organizations. They supervise the functioning of networking equipment and follow strict maintenance standards.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from network engineer resumes include skills like "juniper," "network design," "ios," and "f5," whereas a senior network administrator is more likely to list skills in "routers," "network hardware," "vpn," and "network security. "
Senior network administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $93,129. Network engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $90,927.When it comes to education, senior network administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to network engineers. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.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.
Types of network engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
