Network Engineer

The main responsibility of a Network Engineer is to design, implement, upkeep, and resolve problems within the company's network infrastructure. This role involves guaranteeing the reliability, integrity, and optimal performance of both in-house and cloud-based network services that underpin essential organizational activities. The Network Engineer will utilize their strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities to identify, articulate, and rectify problems, thereby enhancing the value derived from IT system investments. Additionally, they are tasked with keeping abreast of the latest developments and trends in network technologies to enhance the organization's network efficiency and security.

• Responsibilities: Develop and execute network infrastructure designs to ensure effective and reliable organizational communication.
  
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
  

• Timely implementation of network designs.
  
• Increase in network efficiency post-implementation.
  

Network Maintenance and Support

• Responsibilities: Regularly monitor and maintain network performance, executing necessary updates or modifications to maximize performance and security.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Network uptime target of 99.95%.
     
  2. Scheduled completion of maintenance tasks.
     

Security Management

• Responsibilities: Define and implement security policies, manage firewalls, user access, and intrusion detection systems to protect the network.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Adherence to security standards and regulatory compliance.
     
  2. Average time taken to address vulnerabilities.
     
  3. Number of security exemptions granted.
     
  4. Average duration that vulnerabilities remain open.
     

Troubleshooting

• Responsibilities: Quickly identify and resolve network issues to minimize operational disruptions.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Average time to resolve network incidents.
     
  2. Rate of successful incident resolutions.
     

Capacity Planning

• Responsibilities: Analyze and model network capacity to build a high-performance, resilient network.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Increase in network capacity utilization.
     
  2. Successful network upgrade implementations.
     

Vendor Management

• Responsibilities: Collaborate with vendors and IT teams for troubleshooting, hardware setups, and network upkeep.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Adherence to vendor service level agreements (SLAs).
     
  2. Effective vendor interactions and problem resolutions.
     

Documentation and Compliance

• Responsibilities: Maintain detailed records for network configurations and operations, ensuring adherence to legal and organizational standards.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Compliance with documentation protocols.
     
  2. Resolution of compliance discrepancies.
     

Network Performance Monitoring

• Responsibilities: Continuously assess network performance to identify and rectify any inefficiencies or bottlenecks.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Improvement in network performance metrics.
     
  2. Identification and resolution of network bottlenecks.
     

Training and Mentorship

• Responsibilities: Educate team members on network operations, troubleshooting techniques, and best practices.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Quantity of training sessions delivered.
     
  2. Satisfaction rate with the provided training among team members.
     

Emerging Technologies

• Responsibilities: Stay informed of and integrate the latest network technologies to enhance the organization’s network infrastructure.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Integration of new technological advancements into the network.
     
  2. Attendance at industry events or achievement of new certifications.
     

Team Collaboration

• Responsibilities: Engage in interdisciplinary projects to improve system integration and collaborative efforts.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Participation in significant cross-functional projects annually.
     

Miscellaneous and General

• Responsibilities: Fulfill any other assigned duties related to job function.
  
• KPIs:
  
  1. Completion rate of miscellaneous duties.
     
  2. Overall job satisfaction concerning miscellaneous responsibilities.
     

Requirements

Knowledge

Area Description

1. Networking Concepts Strong understanding of networking concepts such as IP addressing, subnetting, routing, switching, and the OSI network model.

2. Network Security Knowledge of network security practices, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-virus software, authentication systems, log management, and content filtering.

3. Network Protocols Proficiency with network protocols like TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, SSL, BGP, and OSPF.

4. Network Hardware Familiarity with the function and setup of network hardware, including routers, switches, bridges, modems, and adapters.

5. Network Performance

Tuning Knowledge of network performance tuning and capacity management techniques.

6. Cloud Networking Knowledge of cloud-based networking and managing network resources in cloud environments, such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.

7. Networking Monitoring

Tools Experience with network monitoring and management software like SolarWinds, Nagios, or Zabbix.

8. Wireless Networking Understanding of wireless networking principles and protocols, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

9. Network Troubleshooting Proficiency in network troubleshooting, diagnostic, and repair techniques.

10. IT Service Management

Frameworks Knowledge of IT service management frameworks and processes, such as ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).

2. Qualification

Type of Qualification Description

1. Education A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field is required.

2. Certifications Network certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), or CompTIA Network+ are highly desirable. Certification in cloud networking like AWS Certified Advanced Networking or Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer could be beneficial.

3. Specialised Knowledge Specific knowledge in certain areas (like IPv6, SDN, etc.) could be required depending on the organisation's network infrastructure.

4. Other Certifications ITIL or Cobit.

3. Experience:

Type of Experience Description

1. Network Engineering Proven experience in managing and configuring enterprise-wide LANs, WANs, WLANs, VPNs, etc.

2. Network Design and

Implementation Extensive experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex networks.

3. Network Monitoring and

Analysis Experience in network monitoring, performance analysis, and system optimization.

4. Vendor Management Experience in managing relationships with vendors, service providers, and contractors.

5. Project Management Demonstrated ability to manage network-related projects, ensuring project objectives' efficient and effective completion.

6. Network Security Experience with network security measures, including firewalls, anti-virus software, intrusion detection systems, etc.

7. Cloud Networking Experience with cloud-based networking and related technologies, particularly in a hybrid cloud environment.

8. Industry Experience Depending on the industry, specific network-related experience may be required (e.g., experience with healthcare or financial networks may be necessary for roles in those industries).

4. Technical Skills:

Type of Skill Description

1. Networking Knowledge Strong knowledge of networking protocols and technologies, such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLAN, etc.

2. Network Hardware Familiarity with network hardware like routers, switches, modems, access points, and firewalls from various vendors.

3. Network Security Skills in network security protocols and systems, including firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems, and network access controls.

4. Troubleshooting Ability to identify, diagnose, and resolve network-related problems quickly and effectively.

5. Network Monitoring Tools Experience with network monitoring and management tools like SolarWinds, Nagios, Wireshark, etc.

6. Cloud Networking Skills in cloud networking technologies, including Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), etc.

7. Scripting Basic scripting skills (Python, Bash) for network automation tasks.

8. Virtualization Familiarity with network virtualization and containerization technologies, such as VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, etc.

9. IT Service Management

Frameworks Familiarity with IT service management frameworks like ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).

5. Personal Attributes/Behavioral Competencies

Competency Description

1. Problem-solving Skills The ability to analyze and resolve complex networking issues quickly and effectively.

2. Detail-oriented Attention to detail in all aspects of work. This includes careful planning and execution of tasks, meticulous documentation, and diligent troubleshooting.

3. Communication Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to explain technical details in a manner understandable to non-technical team members and stakeholders.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration Ability to work well in a team, collaborate effectively, and contribute positively to a team-oriented environment.

5. Continuous Learning Strong desire and ability to learn continuously and improve skills. This includes obtaining relevant certifications and keeping up-to-date with industry trends.

6. Customer Focus Strong understanding of the importance of meeting customer needs and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Ability to interface effectively with end-users and manage their expectations.

7. Adaptability The willingness and ability to adapt to new technologies, systems, and practices as they emerge

8. Stress Management Ability to work well under pressure, especially when dealing with network issues that can impact the entire organization.

9. Time Management Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively, especially when dealing with multiple incidents or projects.

10. Ethics and Integrity Maintaining high ethical standards, demonstrating honesty and integrity in all actions.

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