what is a network engineer?
Network engineers build and maintain the architecture that devices need to share information. A network may include computers, laptops, printers, scanners, routers, switches, and phones. As more businesses invest in cloud technologies, network engineers have to rethink the ways that they approach systems.
If you're building a new system, you'll design and plan the network with other technology experts, then install routers, switches, proxy servers, and other equipment. Afterward, you perform maintenance to keep the network running smoothly. You also look for ways to optimize the system, making it faster, more efficient, and compatible with the latest technologies.
Network engineers also protect their clients from viruses and data breaches. If an issue arises, you'll patch the network before hackers steal private information. Likewise, you routinely scan the network, install anti-virus software and educate workers about best practices, such as never opening links in suspicious emails.
If the worst happens, your clients count on you to repair the system and prevent further leaks. You'll upgrade the network when you learn about new technology that benefits your clients. However, you also know when the system works and doesn't need unnecessary alterations.
Would working as a network engineer suit your tech skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a network engineer role.
view jobs near youaverage network engineer salary
Would you like to know what a network engineer earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a network engineer? Then check out this network engineer salary page and find out all about the salary of a network engineer in the USA.
types of network engineers
Network engineers work in various industries. If you love technology, you can operate in telecommunications, online businesses, software production, search engines, and cloud technology fields, but network engineers work in any industry that needs computer systems.
Do you love entertainment? Look for positions at a streaming service company. Likewise, you could branch out into retail and fashion if you enjoy shopping or dive into healthcare to maintain some of the world's most important systems. Other industries include finance, defense, and aerospace. Over time, you can seek higher positions in your industry, such as Chief Network Engineer.
working as a network engineer
Use your technology and people skills every day when you work as a network engineer. Here's a look at your salary, work environment, colleagues, and daily tasks.
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network engineer job description
When you access the internet as you're doing right now, you're using a computer network. Printers, smartphones, tablets, scanners, laptops, computers, and other devices often make up a business network, but home networks may have a single laptop and router. In any case, you're responsible for ensuring safe, efficient communication between devices.
What does a network engineer do? Typically, job responsibilities include:
- designing computer networks
- maintaining existing systems
- installing anti-virus software and firewalls
- upgrading the network
- collaborating with team members
- troubleshooting issues
- evaluating the system performance
- staying on top of new technologies
As network attacks have increased, your job has become more valuable than ever. Network engineers protect systems from ransomware, phishing attacks, viruses, malware, and certain scams. You could save your client hundreds of thousands of dollars when you prevent a data breach or contain one after the hacker logs in.
Employers look for network engineers who can do it all, including programming, troubleshooting, data mining, maintenance, and automation. Clients have a lot of questions and sometimes mistake you for other technology experts, so be prepared. If you work in a team, you might advance to a leadership position and complete projects with your group.
Your job changes every day, making it ideal for people who get bored easily. One day, you might monitor and maintain your systems. The next, you could overhaul the software, repair the network after a data breach, or start transitioning the system to cloud computing.
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network engineer work environment
Network engineers work in office environments with computers and machinery. Usually, you work indoors for corporate clients. Some network engineers work remotely, but you'll visit the office for in-person jobs, such as installing hardware. Remote workers can set up a home office or rent an office in a public workspace.
Depending on your industry, you could work at a school, bank, hospital, government agency, business, or corporate headquarters. You could move to different spaces throughout the day as you focus on various parts of the network. Sometimes, network engineers travel outside the office or work remotely for a short time.
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who are your colleagues?
You'll work with other technology experts, which may include cloud network engineers, systems architects, security analysts, virtualization engineers, and wireless network engineers. Some experts advance to Senior Network Manager, Principal Network Architect, or another title. Other colleagues may include office workers, such as secretaries and HR managers. If you join a large company, you might work in a team of network engineers with different specialties.
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work schedule
Most network engineers work full-time because most employers require an advanced degree and a specialized skill set. Your employer may schedule you for regular office hours. However, you could have morning, midday, or night shifts to ensure that the system keeps running. Employers typically have to pay extra if you work more than 40 hours in a week.
Some employers expect availability outside of office hours. If an emergency happens, such as a data breach, you might have to head to the office at night or early in the morning. Similarly, you may have to work during holidays and weekends. Most businesses offer paid vacation days and sick leave, but they may contact you while you're gone.
Network engineers who work remotely may have more flexibility. Still, you'll have to work full-time to receive benefits, such as retirement plans and health insurance, and meet your deadlines.
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job outlook for network engineer
Network engineers were always important, but as networks grow increasingly complex, businesses need you now more than ever. You can help them upgrade to modern systems and stay on top of the latest security measures. To work efficiently, you'll learn about emerging skills, such as cloud architecture and virtualization.
When you do well, you can advance to larger corporations that pay higher salaries. Chief Network Engineers could earn six-figure salaries as they guide teams with their extensive knowledge. Typically, you'll need at least 10 years of experience to reach leadership positions.
Similar positions include network administrator, software development architect, back-end software engineer, data warehouse developer and embedded engineer. If you enjoy a particular aspect of network engineering, you could move to a more specific job. You'll build on skills that you already know, giving you an advantage in the field.
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benefits of working for randstad as a network engineer
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a network engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
network engineer skills and education
Since computer networks are one of your business's most valuable resources, they seek engineers with extensive skills and qualifications. Employers look for a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as information technology. Earning a master's degree could open even more positions. Your education may include classes on risk mitigation, cyber law, project management, critical infrastructure protection, and computer forensic management.
Since computer networks are one of your business's most valuable resources, they seek engineers with extensive skills and qualifications. Employers look for a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as information technology. Earning a master's degree could open even more positions. Your education may include classes on risk mitigation, cyber law, project management, critical infrastructure protection, and computer forensic management.
Similarly, businesses often require certifications that prove that you've mastered the subject. Common certifications include:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Amazon AWS SysOps Administrator-Associate
- CompTIA Cloud Essentials
- LPI Linux Essentials
- ITIL Foundation Certification
- CompTIA Security+
Network engineers never end their education after earning their degree. Instead, you'll take classes and earn certifications to advance your knowledge throughout your career. Sometimes, you might seek new certifications so that you can apply for new jobs. Other times, you need to learn about the latest software upgrades.
You'll also learn through job experience. Every year in the workplace makes you more valuable because you learn increasingly diverse skills. Over time, you might become an expert that receives multiple offers from high-paying companies. You could also pass along your knowledge by mentoring younger engineers.
skills and competencies
Network engineers need technical skills, such as:
- programming in essential languages, such as Python, Java, Perl, and Ruby
- domain-name system (DNS) troubleshooting
- working with LAN, WAN, MPLS, SD-branch, and other networks
- using IoT services
- operating network devices
- using VPNs, firewalls, and other security measures
General skills include:
- installing hardware and software
- problem solving
- working with people
- critical thinking
- analyzing data
- documenting updates
- managing teams
When an emergency strikes, you'll have to think fast. Every second of a data breach is crucial. Your problem-solving methods will keep hackers from stealing data or recover as much information as possible. Afterward, it's your job to reduce the likelihood that a breach would happen again. You can't guarantee your network's safety, but you could secure the system as much as possible.
While network engineering seems like a tech-based field, you'll still interact with colleagues and supervisors every day. You report data, discuss potential risks, talk about upgrades, deal with security issues, and share your knowledge with others. Since not everyone has your knowledge base, you need to explain technical concepts in simple, accessible terms.
FAQs about working as a network engineer
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about network engineers.
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which degrees do network engineers need?
Companies rarely accept network engineers with just a high school diploma or associate degree. You'll need a bachelor's degree to secure a position. Once you've started working, you can pursue a master's degree to apply for more prestigious jobs.
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do network engineers need continuing education?
Virtually every network engineer needs continuing education to stay on top of rapid technology advancements. When you watch the news, earn new certifications, network with experts, and refresh your knowledge, you'll have an advantage over applicants with outdated skills. Certifications typically require you to pass exams and have a certain experience level to prove your proficiency.
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which industries hire network engineers?
Network engineers work in various industries, including communications, retail, fashion, healthcare, finance, and technology. Choose the industry that interests you before you start your education. You can try another industry later or stay in one field for your entire career.
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do you lose your job if a data breach occurs?
Since hackers inevitably adjust to security measures with new techniques, a reasonable supervisor won't expect 100% security. They're unlikely to fire you if a data breach occurs; in fact, they need your skills to recover data, repair the damage, and rebuild the network to make it safer than ever. Just make sure that you take every security precaution, including minor tasks like never using the same password twice.
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can network engineers work remotely?
Generally, your employer needs you in the office so that you can work with hardware, software, and programming languages and so you can interact with your colleagues. However, they may allow remote work in certain situations, such as tasks that don't require hardware usage. If you prefer working from home, ask your supervisor if you could work remotely at least part of the week.
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how do I find a job as a network engineer?
Applying for a network engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our network engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
