What does a senior network engineer do?
A senior network engineer is responsible for managing the organization's network infrastructure, handling advanced network issues, upgrading the system's design for optimization, configuring network features, and ensuring the network's highest security measures to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities. Senior network engineers work with network architects to implement network designs, run diagnostic tests, and create network solution reports for review and recovery reference. A senior network engineer must have excellent communication and organization skills and broad knowledge of the technology industry, programming languages, and system codes.
Senior network engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior network engineer resumes:
- Manage check point firewall logs using check point tracker and splunk.
- Manage network / systems security, implement policies, processes PCI, HIPAA compliance.
- Manage the SAN base storage environment consisting of EMC CX3-80's and CX700's.
- Design and build Cisco Meraki cloud manage firewall, switch, and wireless access points for new facility of marketing firm.
- Manage network security processes using ASA firewalls.
- Manage, operate and analyze results from Sourcefire detection systems.
- Configure Cisco ASA firewalls to handles VPN traffic.
- Design and implement access-list scheme using Cisco ASA firewalls for multi-site client.
- Monitor the security of systems (windows servers, e-mail servers, web servers).
- Configure and maintain VPN tunnels as required by the business and maintain secure firewall routing tables.
- Upgrade load balancers from Radware to F5 BigIP v9 which improve functionality and scalability in the enterprise.
- Configure, implement, and troubleshoot routers and switches with various account settings, permissions, and parameters including security firewalls.
- Team member of a network engineering change control and design review board (OSPF, BGP, new router/site installations).
- Design and push for the implementation of a last mile satellite back-up solution requiring complicate EIGRP and BGP routing protocol redistribution.
- Design and implement various BGP and OSPF redistribution configurations.
Senior network engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Senior Network Engineers are proficient in Switches, BGP, and OSPF. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Network Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Switches, 7%
Redesigned the Core network infrastructure deploying the Cisco 8540 MSR switches allowing for multiple layers of redundancy in the company network.
- BGP, 5%
Designed and implemented various BGP and OSPF redistribution configurations.
- OSPF, 5%
Configured Virtual-link between discontinuous backbone areas in the network and also established authentication between all OSPF routers using MD5 authentication.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Developed and implemented standardized documentation templates for structured writing, and detailed network diagrams for all engineers to easily troubleshoot issues.
- Network Infrastructure, 4%
Work with other Network Engineers in designing, deploying, and maintaining worldwide network Infrastructure/Security in alignment with business initiatives.
- Lan Wan, 4%
Work on different networking concepts and routing protocols like OSPF and other LAN WAN technologies.
Most senior network engineers use their skills in "switches," "bgp," and "ospf" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior network engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior 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." Senior network engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implemented vpn and dmvpn solutions for transport access into the data center for customers, vendors and remote office access. "
Communication skills. Many senior network engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a senior network engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior network engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "configured and implemented dmvpn solution on various branch offices cisco routers to provide scalability and secure communication among the various sites. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for senior network engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior network 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 senior network engineer: "provide tier 3 o&m; support for air force customers ipv4 dmvpn network solution encompassing approximately 250+ detachments worldwide. ".
The three companies that hire the most senior network engineers are:
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Compare different senior network engineers
Senior network engineer vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior network engineer responsibilities require skills like "bgp," "ospf," "eigrp," and "mpls." Meanwhile a typical information technology administrator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "database," "pc," and "os." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Information technology administrators really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,678. Comparatively, senior network engineers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $112,997.On average, information technology administrators reach similar levels of education than senior network engineers. Information technology administrators are 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior network 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior network engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "switches," "bgp," "ospf," and "network infrastructure." Meanwhile, an administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "data entry," "payroll," and "financial reports." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, administrators earn a lower salary than senior network engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, administrators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $78,798. Whereas senior network engineers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $112,997.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than senior network engineers. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior network engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Senior network 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior network engineer resumes include skills like "bgp," "ospf," "eigrp," and "mpls," whereas a systems administrator is more likely to list skills in "database," "powershell," "os," and "unix. "
Systems administrators earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $86,962. Comparatively, senior network engineers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $112,997.When it comes to education, systems administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior network engineers. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior 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.
Types of senior network engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
