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How to hire a networking/software engineer

Networking/software engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring networking/software engineers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a networking/software engineer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new networking/software engineer to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a networking/software engineer, step by step

To hire a networking/software engineer, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a networking/software engineer:

Here's a step-by-step networking/software engineer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a networking/software engineer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new networking/software engineer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a networking/software engineer do?

Networking or software engineers are responsible for designing and maintaining systems connecting electronic devices and computers. They build and maintain a company's computer networks, including local area networks, intranet, wide area network, and extranet. Other duties include performing data backups and disaster recovery operations, diagnosing and troubleshooting software, hardware, and network problems, and monitoring the performance of computer networks. Networking or software engineers also design, configure, and test computer hardware, operating system software, and networking software.

Learn more about the specifics of what a networking/software engineer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your networking/software engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a networking/software engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a networking/software engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a networking/software engineer that fits the bill.

    This list presents networking/software engineer salaries for various positions.

    Type of Networking/Software EngineerDescriptionHourly rate
    Networking/Software EngineerComputer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.$42-73
    EngineerEngineers 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... Show more$31-62
    Software AnalystA software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system... Show more$29-47
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Java
    • Python
    • Linux
    • Software Development
    • Tcp Ip
    • C
    • C++
    • API
    • TCP/IP
    • UI
    • Switches
    • Network Infrastructure
    • Debugging
    • GIT
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead testing the component integration test for WMR software on the remote test beds for simulating on UNIX solaria systems.
    • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
    • Create Mysql database backup system in Java programming language.
    • Design, coding and debugging of QoS (class-map, policy-map) in ZebOS and relate to CLIs on Linux.
    • Support Microsoft, Unix and Netware servers and PC workstations.
    • Design corporate web site using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
    More networking/software engineer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your networking/software engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A networking/software engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a networking/software engineer in Florida may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level networking/software engineer usually earns less than a senior-level networking/software engineer. Additionally, a networking/software engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average networking/software engineer salary

    $116,190yearly

    $55.86 hourly rate

    Entry-level networking/software engineer salary
    $88,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average networking/software engineer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$143,910$69
    2California$139,483$67
    3New Jersey$121,968$59
    4Oregon$119,549$57
    5Minnesota$119,106$57
    6Pennsylvania$117,936$57
    7Arizona$112,722$54
    8North Carolina$108,204$52
    9Texas$104,452$50
    10Massachusetts$103,792$50
    11Georgia$102,304$49
    12New York$101,994$49
    13Maryland$101,541$49
    14Illinois$101,397$49
    15Colorado$96,542$46
    16Connecticut$95,322$46
    17Ohio$93,951$45
    18Michigan$88,447$43

    Average networking/software engineer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Meta$162,321$78.043,462
    2Apple$149,328$71.79513
    3ByteDance$148,104$71.20201
    4Google$147,471$70.90719
    5Sony Interactive Entertainment America$138,009$66.35
    6Atlassian$136,524$65.6417
    7Zoox$134,900$64.86121
    8Warner Bros.$134,830$64.8264
    9NVIDIA$134,752$64.7892
    10Twilio$134,097$64.474
    11Über$133,394$64.13128
    12Fungible$133,014$63.95
    13Panasonic Avionics$132,304$63.618
    14Cisco$131,086$63.02579
    15Activision Blizzard$130,751$62.867
    16Amazon$130,254$62.621,303
    17Applied Materials$129,669$62.3422
    18Datadog$129,380$62.2034
    19Juniper Networks$127,636$61.36
    20JPMorgan Chase & Co.$127,527$61.311,018
  4. Writing a networking/software engineer job description

    A good networking/software engineer job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a networking/software engineer job description:

    Networking/software engineer job description example

    Come Join Our Passionate Team! At Barracuda, we make the world a safer place. We believe every business deserves access to cloud-enabled, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. We protect email, networks, data and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt with our customers' journey. More than 200,000 organizations worldwide trust Barracuda to protect them - in ways they may not even know they are at risk - so they can focus on taking their business to the next level.

    We know a diverse workforce adds to our collective value and strength as an organization. Barracuda Networks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equal employment opportunity and equitable compensation regardless of race, gender, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
    Envision yourself at Barracuda

    Barracuda Networks is seeking a talented individual to join us as a Senior Software Engineer to work on our Web Security products and cloud services. The individual will become a member team tasked with the development of innovative solutions to protect endpoints from emerging web-based threats. Primary responsibilities will include the creation of an agent for traffic inspection and policy enforcement and integration with cloud services for management and enhanced capabilities.

    Tech Stack:
    C/C++ skills with emphasis on object-oriented programming Network programming. TCP/ HTTP /HTTPS JSON/XML/ProtoBUf Kernel Modules /Extensions (Windows Driver and Mac OS system extensions) Git, CMake, Conan GDB / LLDB
    What you'll be working on
    Design and implement major components of the Web Filtering product that has high impact for Barracuda Customers. Evaluate the performance of the product. Re-evaluate the design and implementation of source code. Collaborate with team members and team leads
    What you bring to the role
    Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or Software Engineering; or equivalent work experience 1-2 years of relevant experience. Strong C/C++ skills with emphasis on object-oriented programming Ability to collaborate and thrive in a fast-paced environment Excellent analytic/troubleshooting skills Knowledge of layer 4-7 protocol (TCP/HTTP/HTTPS) and working knowledge of SSL (TLS). Deep understanding of security concept and L4 networking protocol a plus Knowledge of Windows and Mac OS applications development and systems programming (Nice to have)
    What you'll get from us

    A team where you can voice your opinion, make an impact, and where you and your experience are valued. Internal mobility - there are opportunities for cross-training and the ability to attain your next career step within Barracuda.
    High-quality health benefits Retirement Plan with employer match Career-growth opportunities Flexible Time Off and Paid Time Off benefits Volunteer opportunities
    #LI-DM1
    #LI-MM1
    #LI-Hybrid
  5. Post your job

    To find networking/software engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any networking/software engineers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level networking/software engineers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your networking/software engineer job on Zippia to find and attract quality networking/software engineer candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with networking/software engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a networking/software engineer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

    • TestDome
    • CodeSignal
    • Testlify
    • BarRaiser
    • Coderbyte

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new networking/software engineer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the networking/software engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new networking/software engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a networking/software engineer?

Recruiting networking/software engineers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $116,190 per year for a networking/software engineer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for networking/software engineers in the US typically range between $42 and $73 an hour.

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