Network Engineer Job Description

While preparing a resume for a network engineer's job, you obviously must have spared a thought for the kind of responsibilities you are going to be burdened with. Before we proceed with an insight of a network engineer's job profile, it is important for one to assume the importance of computer networking.

Why is computer networking so important? The basic reason for existence of networks is sharing. This is done because networks, hardware applications and information can be accessed by a large number of users at the same or some distant location, which helps in decreasing expenses, increasing efficiency and also widens communication.

Nature of Work and Key Responsibilities
As computer based systems have become an integral part of the corporate world, networking professionals are highly in demand. But, remember, the job of a network engineer is not an easy one as there are a lot of responsibilities. The job of design, development, installation, testing, and maintenance of networks linking computers with peripherals like fax machines, printers and modems is headed by him. We cannot exclude communication equipment like phones, cellular phones, PDAs along with video equipment like cameras and use of cabling methods or wireless transmissions and software.

• A network engineer manages new hardware and software required for the computer network in use at the firm.
• He also configures and maintains network equipment, servers and server clusters.
• Management of all system back-up and restoring and controlling protocols.
• Planning and supporting network and computing infrastructural requirements.
• Perform troubleshooting analysis of servers, workstations and associated systems.
• Documents network problems and resolution for future reference.
• Monitors system performance and implements performance tuning.
• Manages user accounts, permissions, email, anti-virus, anti-spam.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of computer networking essentials.
• Overseeing software and network security.
• Strong analytical abilities and professional office experience are a must-have.

Benefits
Benefits may also include fringe benefits like paid vacations, holidays and sick leave. Some companies also offer insurance covers like life, health, accident and disability insurance. Additional plans like retirement and educational reimbursement plans make this job very lucrative.

Hierarchy
Most network engineers have to work as trainees at start. Once they obtain sufficient experience, they may get promoted as a senior, followed by chief engineer or director of networks. In this field, graduate studies can be a distinguishing factor.

Pay Scale
There are some factors that decide the salary of a network engineer. It depends on experience, responsibilities, education, and also on the type and location of the firm. An engineer in the telecommunication domain generally has the highest salary range. On the other hand, lowest salaries were given to engineers in federal and educational sector. In mid 2006, the national average annual salary of these engineers is ranged between $65,000 and $80,000, with the highest salaries in the East and Northeast. Compare this to the median earnings of the entire working force of the U.S. - only $33,852 in 2005.

Experience plays a major role in deciding the salary range. Junior network engineers, with less than a year of relevant experience, get a salary in a range of $40,000 to $55,000 per year. In the Detroit metropolitan area, mid-level to senior network engineers had a median salary of $75,000 as of early 2006. Those with 5 to 20 years of work experience earn in the range of $53,000 to $85,000 depending on one or more of the above factors.

The high importance of this job can be directly related to the high pay scale. The future prospects of this job are definitely very bright, and as companies expand their operations, more and more network engineers will be absorbed by this vibrant industry.