Post job

What does a principal network engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

In the information technology industry, a principal network engineer specializes in designing and developing networks and systems in adherence to client or company needs. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, developing standard procedures and test structures, performing installations and upgrades, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing networks, and implementing solutions against its vulnerable areas. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks and repairs, provide technical support to staff, and train junior engineers. Moreover, they must lead and encourage information technology teams to reach goals while enforcing the company's security policies and regulations.

On this page

Principal network engineer responsibilities

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

  • Lead SIGTRAN (SS7 over IP) software porting and system integration on Linux.
  • Lead architecture and design sessions with customers; initiate technical meetings with customer engineers to further engage and identify additional opportunities.
  • Perform all engineering duties including test and turn up of all WAN/LAN/WLAN & VoIP LAN for each office space.
  • Used Simena traffic emulators to stress test network equipment by pushing multi-protocol data frames including BGP routing protocols and IPv6.
  • Install and configure Cisco ASA firewalls.
  • Use of BGP dual-home ISP peering networks.
  • Establish and implement companies privatize DNS scheme.
  • Load balancers configuration, F5 and Netscalers.
  • Configure applications for TCP/IP (Internet) connectivity.
  • Project leader of the implementation of Cisco VoIP phone system.
  • Configure MD5 authentication between OSPF neighbors on multiple DECC networks.
  • Define migration strategy for upgrading Cisco CSS load balancers to f5 BigIP platform.
  • Implement MPLS TE using RSVP and CR LDP signaling protocols for setting MPLS TE tunnels.
  • Perform upgrades for Harris applications on servers and site equipment with minimal downtime for customers.
  • Perform server administration on OS platforms of Microsoft and Novell and various UNIX base hosts.

Principal network engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Principal Network Engineers are proficient in Linux, Lan Wan, 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 Principal Network Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Linux, 6%

    Facilitated the team's comfort with the Linux (Fedora platform) which the CBS firewalls run on.

  • Lan Wan, 6%

    Supported and administered existing LAN WAN Infrastructure.

  • Network Infrastructure, 6%

    Ensured efficient network infrastructure upgrades through targeted communication with equipment vendors and clients.

  • VPN, 5%

    Engineered and implemented VPN solution for support of investment management and systems professionals permitting secure remote accessibility to corporate resources.

  • Network Performance, 5%

    Perform ongoing network fine tuning, upgrades and enhancements to optimize network performance, availability, stability and security.

  • Firewall, 4%

    Installed and managed Firewall solution using Raptor.

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

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a principal network 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." Principal network engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "create data security policy that adheres to dod 8500.x, cnss/nstissi, nist sp800 series, dcid 6/3 and fisma guidance. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling principal network 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 principal network engineer resume, here's how principal network engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "enable microsoft lync server 2010 enterprise integrating with polycom rmx/dma unified communications via sip trunk. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of principal network engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday principal 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: "design new infrastructure solutions to be introduced into dod dmz environments. "

All principal network engineer skills

Choose from 10+ customizable principal network engineer resume templates

Build a professional principal network 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 principal network engineer resume.
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume
Principal Network Engineer Resume

Compare different principal network engineers

Principal 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.

We looked at the average principal network engineer salary and compared it with the wages of a network support analyst. Generally speaking, network support analysts are paid $28,173 lower than principal network engineers per year.Even though principal network engineers and network support analysts are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require linux, lan wan, and network infrastructure in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a principal network engineer are more likely to require skills like "network architecture," "f5," "dod," and "network design." On the other hand, a job as a network support analyst requires skills like "troubleshoot," "routers," "problem resolution," and "network support." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Network support analysts tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $98,644. In contrast, principal network engineers make the biggest average salary, $110,357, in the technology industry.The education levels that network support analysts earn slightly differ from principal network engineers. In particular, network support analysts are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a principal network engineer. Additionally, they're 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal 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 $13,436 lower salary than principal network engineers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Principal network engineers and network operations managers both require similar skills like "linux," "lan wan," and "network infrastructure" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that principal network engineer responsibilities requires skills like "firewall," "network architecture," "f5," and "network design." But a network operations manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "itil," "network services," and "level agreements."

Network operations managers earn a lower average salary than principal network engineers. But network operations managers earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $109,619. Additionally, principal network engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $110,357 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Network operations managers tend to reach similar levels of education than principal network engineers. In fact, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal network 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.

An average network consultant eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of principal network engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to network consultants earning a $22,791 lower average salary than principal network engineers.Using the responsibilities included on principal network engineers and network consultants resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "linux," "network infrastructure," and "vpn.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from principal network engineer resumes include skills like "lan wan," "network performance," "network architecture," and "tcp ip," whereas a network consultant is more likely to list skills in "appeals," "windows server," "troubleshoot," and "client facing. "

Network consultants earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $89,811. Principal network engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $110,357.network consultants typically earn similar educational levels compared to principal network engineers. Specifically, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal network engineer vs. Computer engineer

A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.

Computer engineers typically earn lower pay than principal network engineers. On average, computer engineers earn a $15,289 lower salary per year.While both principal network engineers and computer engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like linux, vpn, and switches, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between principal network engineers and computer engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a principal network engineer might have more use for skills like "lan wan," "network infrastructure," "network performance," and "firewall." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of computer engineers require skills like "c #," "python," "software development," and "java. "

Computer engineers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $117,704. For comparison, principal network engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of computer engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to principal network engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.7%.

Types of principal 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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs