What does a network infrastructure engineer do?
A network infrastructure engineer designs, deploy, and secures the network of the organization. In this position, you will be required to perform site surveys and audits, ensure the company's network site meets set standards, ensure the networks function with minimum downtime, come up with strategies that help minimize operational costs, and helps the organization streamline the operations by ensuring the different systems work effectively.
Network infrastructure engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network infrastructure engineer resumes:
- Manage VOIP on Cisco base network.
- Manage network addressing subsystems, DNS and DHCP services.
- Manage MPLS that used OPSF for primary route control and BGP to control outside advertisement.
- Manage installation projects from planning through implementation: order equipment, determine required headcount, and order switches and materials.
- Implement, update, and support routing protocols OSPF and BGP.
- Upgrade IOS in ASR routers.
- Upgrade from 20 Mb to 50 Mb MPLS.
- Used TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, Appletalk, w/ (N2H2).
- Evaluate and define new firewall rules.
- Used administration software such as CiscoWorks and VMware.
- Support and troubleshoot daily network problems at remote location.
- Support of 5 hub sites comprising of MPLS international sites.
- Install, configure, troubleshoot and repair network devices, i.e.
- Design, implement and troubleshooting OSPF, EBGP and IBGP routing.
- Support AMA internal and external DNS queries to new infoblox appliance.
Network infrastructure engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Network Infrastructure Engineers are proficient in Network Infrastructure, Switches, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Infrastructure Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Infrastructure, 7%
Managed all regional network infrastructure equipment, including Cisco Routers/Switches/Firewalls for 5 U.S. offices and 30 international offices.
- Switches, 7%
Managed installation projects from planning through implementation: ordered equipment, determined required headcount, and ordered switches and materials.
- Cloud, 6%
Completed cloud computing analysis in support of management and upper-level decision makers.
- Nexus, 4%
Deployed Nexus 9000, 7000, 5000, and Nv1k's configurations during hardware and software upgrades.
- Firewall, 4%
Provided direct project management and implementation support in migration of Market Data feeds behind new firewall architecture.
- F5, 4%
Managed 10G and 100G Optical DWDM routers, Decommissioned F5 load balancers.
"network infrastructure," "switches," and "cloud" are among the most common skills that network infrastructure engineers use at work. You can find even more network infrastructure engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a network infrastructure 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." Network infrastructure engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "migrated core infrastructure servers and applications to new data center from decommissioned data center without interruption in service. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling network infrastructure 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 a network infrastructure engineer resume, here's how network infrastructure engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "analyze and document in microsoft visio all field network communications including vsat, canopy wireless and cellular broadband. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for network infrastructure engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how network infrastructure engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a network infrastructure engineer: "worked with network carriers to resolved network problems and redistribute networks worked with and debug bgp, eigrp and mpls. ".
The three companies that hire the most network infrastructure engineers are:
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Compare different network infrastructure engineers
Network infrastructure 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a network infrastructure engineer are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "nexus," "firewall," and "f5." On the other hand, a job as a network support technician requires skills like "customer service," "provides technical support," "desk support," and "os." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Network support technicians really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,633. Comparatively, network infrastructure engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $122,265.network support technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than network infrastructure engineers. In fact, network support technicians are 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Network infrastructure engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that network infrastructure engineer responsibilities requires skills like "network infrastructure," "nexus," "firewall," and "f5." But an engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "c++," "c #," and "aws."
On average, engineers earn a higher salary than network infrastructure engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Whereas network infrastructure engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $122,265.engineers earn similar levels of education than network infrastructure engineers in general. They're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network infrastructure 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.
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 infrastructure engineer resumes include skills like "cloud," "nexus," "f5," and "dynamic routing," whereas a network support analyst is more likely to list skills in "problem resolution," "ip," "desktop support," and "network connectivity. "
Network support analysts earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $98,644. Comparatively, network infrastructure engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $122,265.network support analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to network infrastructure engineers. Specifically, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network infrastructure engineer vs. Network consultant
Network consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for designing, setting up, and maintaining computer networks for an organization or at a client location. These consultants are required to meet with the manager of an organization and network engineers to discuss their networking requirements. By supervising a team of IT professionals, these consultants must administer technical issues and fix infrastructure issues onsite. Network consultants must also maintain documentation for IT infrastructure as well as coordinate network documentation with account managers.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between network infrastructure engineers and network consultants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a network infrastructure engineer might have more use for skills like "cloud," "tcp ip," "routers," and "virtualization." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of network consultants require skills like "appeals," "network hardware," "client facing," and "series routers. "
The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for network consultants, with average annual pay of $89,811. Comparatively, the highest network infrastructure engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, network consultants hold similar degree levels compared to network infrastructure engineers. Network consultants are 0.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of network infrastructure engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
