A network engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring that data, audio, video, and wireless connections function smoothly. They design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot computer networks to ensure everything works reliably, providing seamless communication and connectivity. They manage network hardware and software to improve performance, resolve conflicts, and troubleshoot any problems within the system, ensuring there are no risks from cyber breaches.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the entire network engineer job description, primary duties and responsibilities, and critical skills needed to fulfill the role successfully. We’ll also explore career prospects in networking, as well as insights into the salary structure, so that you can nurture your aspirations better.
Table of Contents:
Network Engineer Job Description
This section explores the network engineer job description, the factors that make it a highly popular position, and how it applies to related profiles such as cloud network specialist and network security engineer.
Job Title: Network Engineer
Location: Bangalore, India
Experience Level: 2–5 Years
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary: Our IT Infrastructure Team is looking for an experienced and self-motivated Network Engineer. As a key member of the team, you will be responsible for formulating, building, and supporting network systems that are both secure and scalable across our international branches. Since this position involves resolving organizational network problems and learning how to optimize them at different levels, having developed expertise in network problem-solving, performance optimization, and security protocols may be beneficial.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement LAN/WAN as well as cloud and wireless network solutions.
- Perform installations and configurations of routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers from Cisco or Juniper.
- Oversee network traffic using Wireshark alongside other performance monitoring tools like SolarWinds.
- Carry out routine checks and apply necessary updates and patches to all networking equipment.
- To minimize user downtime, respond to, fix, or escalate issues related to network outages.
- Implement network security policies on access control systems, such as VPNs and firewalls, to ensure secure connections.
- Update all network-related documentation, including configurations, modifications, and troubleshooting procedures.
- Work with other departments such as DevOps, security, and IT for smoother system integrations.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Preferred Certifications are CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Network+
- Graduation with a degree in Computer Science (Information Technology) or any related field
- More than 2 years of practical experience working as a network administrator and engineer
- Having sound knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, OSPF, BGP, and subnetting
- Having practical experience with Cisco, Juniper, or Palo Alto hardware
- Strong leadership and problem-solving skills
- Professional and fluent communication skills, both written and verbal
Core Purpose of a Network Engineer
Building and maintaining effective, high-performing networks that support an organization’s digital activities is the major objective of a network engineer. They operate in digital contexts (cloud, virtual networks, and SD-WAN) and on physical hardware (routers, switches, and cables) to:
- Ensure seamless communication between data centers, branches, and departments.
- In addition to conventional data networks, provide wireless, video, and phone options.
- Use proactive monitoring and diagnostics to get rid of data bottlenecks and downtime.
- Manage and implement secure VPNs for remote and hybrid work cultures.
- Implement cloud-hosted networking services to improve scalability and optimize costs.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to oversee, control access, and implement preventative measures.
To be successful in this line of work, you need to know how to use tools and technology like:
- Nagios, SolarWinds, Wireshark, and Cisco Packet Tracer
- Palo Alto, Juniper Junos, and Cisco IOS
- TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, DNS, and DHCP protocols
- Security tools like VPNs, firewalls, and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
In addition to credentials and real-world experience, a strong network engineer resume usually emphasizes mastery of these tools.
Network Engineering Courses & Certifications
Aspiring engineers usually take network engineering courses and earn certifications like these to get ready for the workforce:
- The entry-level networking certification known as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
- The intermediate Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification
- Vendor-neutral CompTIA Network+ certification with an emphasis on fundamental networking
- For individuals pursuing positions as network security engineers, the Certified Network Defender (CND) certification
These certifications offer useful, job-relevant skills and are widely accepted by employers worldwide.
Types of Network Engineer Jobs
Within the field, there are several levels and specializations, such as:
- Junior Network Engineer—Ideal for those looking for beginner network engineer positions. The primary goals of this role are learning, assisting senior engineers, and carrying out basic troubleshooting.
- Network Administrator—Oversees the daily operations of networks that are already in place.
- Network Security Engineer—Monitoring threats, ensuring compliance, and protecting the network from intrusions are the duties of a network security engineer.
- Cloud network engineer—Builds and maintains cloud-based networking configurations using platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Wireless Network Engineer—Specializes in the development and administration of wireless infrastructure systems, including Wi-Fi networks, WLAN security protocols, and access point configuration.
- VoIP Engineer: In charge of maintaining and integrating voice-over-IP systems to enable efficient voice communication over IP-based networks.
- Data Center Network Engineer—In charge of tasks related to load balancers, fiber connections, and virtualization that are intended to achieve high-performance networking within data centers.
- SD-WAN Engineer—Innovations relating to greater flexibility and security for branch office connectivity fall under designing and managing software-defined WANs.
- Network Solutions Architect—A network solutions architect is responsible for both high-level network design and long-term infrastructure strategy planning, placing them in a more senior role.
Network Engineer Job Roles
The foundation of an organization’s IT infrastructure is its network engineers. They perform a wide range of tasks that are essential to the business’s operation, from configuring routers and safeguarding cloud networks to identifying issues and optimizing bandwidth. Whether you’re applying for network engineer jobs for freshers or want to become a network security engineer, it’s important to understand the range of responsibilities.
The following summarizes the main duties associated with network engineer positions today:
Network Design & Implementation
Designing and implementing secure, scalable network solutions is the core duty of any network engineer.
- Analyze business needs to design wireless, LAN, and WAN networks.
- Set up network equipment such as access points, switches, routers, and firewalls.
- Implement subnetting techniques, VLANs, and routing protocols (OSPF, BGP) into practice.
- For future growth, load balancing, and performance, optimize the topology.
- Make redundancy plans using high availability (HA) configurations and failover procedures.
Close coordination with cloud teams is frequently necessary for these activities, particularly in hybrid settings overseen by network or cloud security experts.
Network Maintenance & Performance Monitoring
Network engineers maintain everything, including email systems and vital applications, to ensure continuous operations.
- Use SolarWinds, Wireshark, Nagios, and other tools to monitor network health.
- Identify traffic patterns and latency issues, and fix them properly.
- To cut down on downtime in services throughout the company, schedule maintenance and update tasks.
- Test disaster recovery plans and backup data systems on a regular basis.
- Ensure adherence to specified Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Proactive maintenance is seen as a critical metric in many network engineer roles, and it is one of the indicators that distinguishes a good network from a great one.
Security Management (Network Security Engineer)
Every organization needs network security, and because cybersecurity concerns are growing, network security is a key component of almost every network engineering job description.
- Administration and configuration of intrusion detection and prevention systems, VPNs, and firewalls (like Cisco ASA and Palo Alto).
- Implement ACLs (Access Control Lists), two-factor authentication frameworks, and endpoint security measures.
- Monitor the network for unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.
- Work with cybersecurity teams to perform audits, patch updates, and verify compliance requirements.
- Apply encryption protocols like IPsec or SSL/TLS for the secure transfer of data.
Professionals working in the field of network security engineering usually start with these duties before they move on to threat management or forensic analysis.
Documentation & Reporting
Thorough documentation is useful not only for reference but also for audits, scaling, and identifying issues within the system.
- Keep track of all the relevant network configurations and topologies, as well as the corresponding hardware models and firmware versions.
- Any upgrades, installations, policy changes, or other organizational changes should be noted in logbooks.
- Create documents that outline standardized procedures for both daily activities and responses to possible incidents.
- Thoroughly record all network performance metrics, security lapses, and SLA adherence, and create frequent reports based on the data acquired.
When writing a resume, professionals should pay attention to best practices because they can set candidates applying for an enterprise-level position apart from other applicants.
Collaboration & Cross-Team Support
As with many positions, network engineers don’t work in isolation—it is filtered through or requires input from other areas of the business.
- Cooperate with DevOps, cloud, and IT support for effective cross-functional collaboration.
- Work with vendors to process warranty claims and perform hardware upgrades, as well as apply security patches.
- Help guide technical personnel in identifying organizational issues linked to network connectivity troubles.
- Supervise internal IT projects such as cloud migrations and zero-trust architecture implementations.
With more firms adopting digital transformations, network engineers are now actively seeking these roles due to the increased emphasis on strong communication and project management skills.
Network engineer salary
Like any other occupation, a network engineer’s salary varies according to their location, years of experience, necessary certifications, and particular responsibilities of their role. The pay varies regardless of whether you are looking for entry-level network engineer jobs for recent graduates or more senior positions like network security engineer or cloud network architect.
Average Network Engineer Salary by Region
Here is a comparison table of average network engineer salaries by region sourced from Glassdoor, Payscale, Indeed, and Simplilearn insights.
| Region | Average Salary |
| United States | $105,816 per year/Senior roles take home a package exceeding $150,000 |
| United Kingdom | £35,000–£65,000/year, up to £100K+ for CCIE-level engineers |
| India | Entry-level, ₹4.5–6 LPA; 5+ years, ₹10–25 LPA, with certifications |
| Canada | CA$70,000–CA$110,000 (based on experience) |
| Australia | AUD 85,000–AUD 130,000/year |
Factors Affecting Network Engineer Salary
- Experience Level: A fresh engineer’s salary is on the lower side, but someone who has been a lead for 8-10 years is likely to earn much more.
- Certifications: Earning potential can be significantly increased by obtaining additional credentials like CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, and CCIE.
- Specialization: Higher compensation is often associated with top positions, such as network security engineers, SD-WAN engineers, and cloud network engineers.
- Industry & Sector: Given their intricate network requirements and strict security standards, the government, telecom, and finance sectors usually pay more.
- Location: Places with a higher cost of living, such as Bengaluru, San Francisco, London, and Sydney, have a greater need for skilled tech personnel, making salaries even higher.
Entry-Level vs. Experienced Network Engineer Salary
| Experience Level | Expected Salary Range (India) |
| Freshers (0–1 year) | ₹3–5 LPA |
| Mid-Level (2–5 years) | ₹6–12 LPA |
| Senior-Level (6+ years) | ₹15–25+ LPA (with certifications) |
| Network Security Engineer | ₹10–30 LPA depending on complexity |
Knowing these salary trends can help candidates strategically tailor their network engineer certification goals and CV, as well as enhance their negotiating abilities.
Preparing Your Network Engineer Resume
A well-crafted network engineer resume highlights not only your technical expertise in networking but also your problem-solving skills, network security knowledge, and ability to support business-critical infrastructure.
Let’s focus on building a resume that not only satisfies all ATS requirements but also makes an impression on hiring managers.
1. Write a Strong Professional Summary
Include a brief statement at the top of your resume that includes two to three sentences summarizing your experience level, key networking skills, certifications held, and career objectives. Adjust it according to the position you’re applying for.
This is what some of the applicants have been using: “CCNA-certified network engineer with over three years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting LAN/WAN infrastructures. Proficient Cisco device configurer with strong capabilities in performance optimization and VPN connection management. Open to leveraging my technical savvy in mid-level network security engineer positions.”
2. Highlight Core Technical Skills
Consider creating a bulleted Skills section to showcase your most relevant tools, platforms, and protocols. Organize them into logical groups if necessary.
Example:
- OS & Platforms: Linux, Windows Server, AWS Networking, Azure Virtual Network
- Networking: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, BGP, OSPF, MPLS
- Hardware: Cisco switches/routers, Juniper firewalls, and access points
- Tools: Wireshark, SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, Cisco Packet Tracer
- Security: VPNs, IDSs/IPSs, ACLs, firewalls, network segmentation
3. Showcase Certifications (Very Important)
Certifications prove your skills and are usually required for network engineer positions. Every certification should be listed separately, along with the organization and year of acquisition.
Best Network Engineer Certifications:
- Juniper Networks Certified Associate (JNCIA)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- CompTIA Network+
- Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)
4. Emphasize Work Experience with Quantifiable Results
Highlight particular steps you took and their outcomes for each position. The focus is on contributions and outcomes, as contrasted to tasks performed.
Example:
Network Engineer
ABC Technologies, Mumbai | Aug 2021 – Present
- Managed to achieve above industry standards of 99.99% uptime for LAN/WAN services configured across three locations.
- Integrated Cisco ASA firewalls into the existing network, which enhanced security measures, resulting in a 40% decrease in breach attempts.
- Optimizing routing protocols and bandwidth allocation resulted in a 30% reduction in latency.
- Helped transition to cloud networking AWS with VPC peering and VPN tunnels integration.
5. Include Education & Projects (Especially for Freshers)
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
XYZ University | 2020
- Capstone Project: Implemented a robust, simulated multi-site corporate network design using Cisco Packet Tracer.
- ITNet Solutions Internship: I assisted the IT department with cable testing and switch configuration.
6. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
Incorporate keywords from the particular network engineer position you are targeting. This increases your chances of getting through the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filters.
For example, if the terms “SD-WAN,” “NAT,” or “firewall configuration” are used in the job description, make sure they appear on your resume as well, provided that you have the corresponding experience.
Why Network Engineering is a Great Career
Like other sectors of information technology (IT), network engineering remains one of the most promising and future-proof career options. As the world gets more digital and connectivity becomes more important for business operations, companies need more network engineers than ever before.
Aspiring network engineers and those planning to specialize in network security engineering will find countless opportunities in this field, along with steady career advancement, outstanding pay, and valuable contributions.
High Demand & Job Stability
As indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for network engineers and architects are expected to grow continuously, with new positions being created worldwide in various sectors. The increasing use of cloud services and hybrid work environments, along with the constantly expanding Internet of Things (IoT), has made enterprise networks more crucial and complex than they were previously.
Every company, from startups to multinational corporations, requires advanced networking infrastructure, which makes network engineer positions critical and less susceptible to economic downturns.
Opportunities for Upskilling & Specialization
An endless career progression is one of the biggest advantages of this profession. Network engineers can pursue careers in other domains with the CCNP and CCIE certifications, such as:
- Network Security Engineer for Cybersecurity
- Cloud Networking (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- VoIP and Wireless Networking
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
These decisions result in significant positions supporting digital transformation and information technology management.
Conclusion
Network engineering, which combines technical expertise, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills, is now more than just a job; it is a career for the future. There are several new opportunities in this field. This holds true regardless of whether you’re looking for a position as an entry-level network engineer or you have years of IT experience and are thinking about more senior roles like network security engineer.
Intellipaat’s CompTIA Network+ Certification Training ensures that all students grasp the essentials of networking and become acquainted with practical infrastructure in order to develop employable skills for network engineer positions and create strong resumes. When training sessions provide the right guidance, it becomes easier to prepare for challenging network engineer interview questions.