Network Engineer Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Job Title: Network Engineer [Mid-Level / Senior] Department: IT / Infrastructure / Engineering Location: [City, State] / Hybrid Reports To: Head of Infrastructure / IT Director Employment Type: Full-Time About [Company Name] [Company Name] is a [stage/sector] company operating network infrastructure across [X] sites / [X] cloud environments. Our network underpins [product/services] with uptime SLAs of [X]%. We operate [Cisco / Juniper / Arista / Palo Alto] equipment and are actively expanding our cloud networking footprint on [AWS / GCP / Azure]. About the Role We're looking for a Network Engineer to design, implement, and maintain our network infrastructure. You will own LAN/WAN/WLAN operations, firewall policy management, SD-WAN deployments, and cloud network connectivity. You will also drive network automation initiatives to reduce manual configuration toil and improve our ability to deploy changes safely at speed. Key Responsibilities • Design, configure, and maintain enterprise LAN, WAN, and WLAN infrastructure (routers, switches, access points, firewalls) • Operate and optimize routing protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP as applicable to the environment • Manage and tune next-generation firewalls and VPN systems (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA/FTD) • Implement and operate SD-WAN solutions for multi-site connectivity • Manage cloud network connectivity: VPCs, transit gateways, ExpressRoute/Direct Connect, security groups • Monitor network performance, utilization, and capacity; resolve incidents and optimize proactively • Automate network configuration and compliance tasks using Python (Netmiko, NAPALM), Ansible, or Terraform • Develop and maintain network documentation: topology diagrams, IP address management (IPAM), and runbooks • Participate in change management processes; plan and execute network changes during maintenance windows • Collaborate with security teams on zero-trust network architecture, microsegmentation, and access policies Required Qualifications • [4]+ years of network engineering experience in enterprise or service provider environments • Hands-on experience with [Cisco / Juniper / Arista] routing and switching at scale • Strong understanding of TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLAN, STP, QoS, and multicast • Experience with next-generation firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Cisco) and VPN technologies • Familiarity with cloud networking concepts (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, GCP VPC) and hybrid connectivity • Working knowledge of network automation tools: Python scripting, Ansible, or Terraform • CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent certification (or commensurate experience) Nice to Have • Experience with SD-WAN platforms (Cisco Viptela, VMware VeloCloud, Palo Alto Prisma) • CCNP Security or cloud networking certifications (AWS Advanced Networking, Azure Network Engineer) • Experience with network observability tools (ThousandEyes, Kentik, NetFlow analysis) • Knowledge of MPLS, Segment Routing, or EVPN/VXLAN fabric design What We Offer • Competitive salary: $[low]–$[high]/year (see benchmarks below) • Equity: [X]% stock options / RSUs • Health, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer-paid for employee) • Flexible PTO + [X] company-wide holidays • On-call compensation: [cash / TOIL policy for maintenance windows] • Learning & development budget: $[X]/year including certification exam fees • [Additional perk — wellness stipend, etc.] Salary Range: $80,000–$145,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark; exact offer commensurate with experience) [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.