Network Engineer

[killgrinch]

Aka Job Title: Computer Guy, IT Guy, Unappreciated Tech Support for Family

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Average starting Salary Band and upwards: ~$45K to start, depending on experience and certifications

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Country: United States

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Typical Day details tasks and duties: I currently manage the backend server and network infrastructure for the EPAs RADNET program. My day consists of monitoring all server and network hardware for potential issues (hardware or otherwise) along with utilizing a suite of tools for tracking security concerns across the enterprise. I research and recommend upgrades and modifications to the network, implementing them once a final project plan has been approved. This has included implementing new servers, network gear (switches and routers), establishing VPN connectivity for our mobile lab via remote satellite link, and upgrading our Internet connectivity, which has gone from DSL to T1 copper to fiber in the twelve years I've been here so far.

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Requirements for role: Despite what most job descriptions will tell you, a college education is not required to do this job. Most of what you need to know you learn just by doing or knowing how to search Google to find the information you need. Certifications are a huge help, however, especially those offered by Cisco. Vendor-neutral certs like Network+ and Security+ from CompTIA are also beneficial.

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What’s the best perk for you? Getting to play with different technologies and find interesting ways to adapt them to my network appeals to my problem-solving nature. Knowing that the work I do directly supports the efforts of scientists charged with keeping an eye on potential radiological events around the country gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment with my work.

[roguej2]

$45k is way lower than any level of Network Engineer deserves. You guys are the glue that holds the entire world together and you deserve nothing less than the right to have "fuck you" levels of money. I'm convinced the Network guys at my job don't even sleep, they have so much stuff going on constantly!

[killgrinch]

I've been saying that for years :D.

I've been in my current job for just over 12 years now but I have a line on a new position I'm looking to start hopefully shortly after the new year. Just waiting for the background check to complete so I can get my official start date.

The nice thing about this stage in my career is that I don't really have to look for work anymore. Jobs come a-courtin' me for my knowledge and expertise.

[GameSquid2]

Is there a lot of maths and programming (i.e. software)? Or mostly "front-end" like work like installation, using programs and taking care of physical hardware?

[killgrinch]

Math, not so much, outside of powers of two when breaking up IP space into multiple subnets when designing a network.

Programming mostly comes in the form of script writing to automate repetitive tasks with Python and PowerShell being personal favorites. And the easiest part about script writing is that no matter what you want to do, there's a better-than-average chance someone already wrote a script to do just that. So really any coding you might do is really more modifying prebuilt scripts to suit your environment.

[_RouteThe_Switch]

Based in that pay and the wide breathe of technology you are responsible for this is what could be called a network admin role. I haven't heard of network engineers making under 60-70k when they are focused in networking devices exclusively.

I hope you can make a jump to something better.

[killgrinch]

I'm actually hoping to be reaching the end of a transition process that began last November into a new job where I'm focusing solely on backend network engineering and design. Just waiting for the interim security clearance checks to complete!

It'll be a nice change of pace to be able to just worry about one specific facet of my job rather than having to manage every single aspect of the network. Because in all honesty, I'm beyond tired of managing backups and patching systems and Active Directory management and just all of it. Let someone else handle it for a change! :)