Technology has never been more integral to business success. Cloud-based systems, network security, and connectivity are the bedrock of business futureproofing. But none of them are possible without a competent network engineer on the payroll.
The cloud and infrastructure hiring experts from the Robert Half Technology team share details on how to become a network engineer. What are employers looking for? How much could you earn, and what are your future career prospects?
What is a network engineer?
Network engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing business connectivity via various networks. These include wired and wireless networks for on-premises business connectivity and cloud-based networks for secure remote work. Everything from printers and staff desktops to cable management, mail servers and web servers fall under the network engineer’s remit.
It’s a network engineer’s job to find the most suitable solution for their business, to install it, maintain it, and get it back online quickly, should the worst happen. You’ll be trusted to continually optimise business networks and design them with security in mind.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a network engineer?
- Installation, configuration, and administration of network infrastructures (firewalls, switches, and load balancers)
- Recommending improvements
- Keep all systems up to date with new patches, upgrades, bug fixes, and updates
- Troubleshooting issues and investigating faults
- Configuring firewalls and maximising network security
- Liaising with third-party vendors and suppliers to maximise network efficiency
- Scheduling network upgrades
“Most people would organically move into network engineering from an IT support role,” says James Wilson, Practice Director for Robert Half. “They’d go from support to infrastructure because infrastructure roles have elements of networking in them — it’s all interlinked.
“The best place to find junior network engineering roles is with an external service provider. From there, you could transition into a business as a fully-fledged engineer.”
What skills and qualifications does a network engineer need?
Most network engineers come from a background in electrical/electronic engineering, mathematics, computer science or have a related degree. Cisco and Network+ (CompTIA) certifications are incredibly beneficial items to have on your CV, as are network fundamentals.
Network engineers work at all levels of the business; they report directly to key stakeholders, assist other employees with technical issues, and communicate with third-party providers. With that in mind, the most successful professionals are people with excellent communication skills and a methodical, calm-headed approach to problem-solving.
Skills
- Experience with network operations
- Experience with network security software
- Firewall experience (Cisco, Palo Alto or Juniper)
- Good knowledge of IP networks
- Experience with physical network engineering
Soft skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Analytical
- Good organisational skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Methodical
- Adaptable
- Calm under pressure
“Network engineering is more qualification-driven than some other technical roles in the space,” says Rory Kirkman, Senior Talent Manager at Robert Half. “Employers are looking for professionals who are CCNP certified or CCIE — qualifications are a good indicator of the level that they're at.”
“Cloud technology is big in networking; everyone's implementing cloud-based network infrastructure, so experience in that space is beneficial,” says James Wilson.
Qualifications are only half the story. James and Rory point out that poor communication skills and lack of cultural fit are two factors which commonly let candidates down when applying for network engineer roles. Interpersonal skills and the ability to integrate with a team are essential for gaining the edge in today’s job market.
How much does a network engineer earn in the UK?
According to research conducted for the Robert Half 2023 Salary Guide, network engineers can earn an average of £53,000 in the UK. Experienced individuals are being offered anything up to £61,500, and newly qualified individuals could start on as much as £47,000.
Network engineers in London have the highest earning potential, where the average salary is 22% higher than the national midpoint. Experienced network engineers could potentially earn £75,030 depending on their experience.
You can boost your earning potential by completing a CCNP certification and by gaining experience in an enterprise LAN/WAN environment. Employers are also looking for network engineers with IT security and compliance experience to help keep the business GDPR compliant.
“Network engineering is a lucrative space,” says James Wilson. “It’s great for people with highly technical skills who want to maximise their earnings as an engineer, without having the responsibility of managing people or doing budgets.”
Salaries can differ between industries, with employers like London-based trading firms willing to pay higher salaries to ensure that their network is always readily available. Demand is also high for contract work ahead of audits or project launches, and experienced engineers can command punchy day rates.
What are the future career prospects for a network engineer role?
A network engineering career can be shaped by niching down into any number of network specialists. These niche roles include cloud networking architects, network security specialists, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) specialists.
“You can begin to contract and increase the day rate if you become specialised on a particular vendor,” says Rory. “We regularly place contract professionals who are Cisco experts or Meraki experts, and they’ll just go to universities or somewhere similar and roll out a whole solution. They’d do a complete network upgrade or migrate them to a software defined wide area network and then go down that route.”
Network engineers can sidestep into a network analyst role or become network administrators. Alternatively, you can advance into a network manager position or become an IT manager.
Are you ready to take the first steps into your new career as a network engineer? Upload your CV to the Robert Half website and start browsing open vacancies today. For more information on the technology hiring landscape, download the Robert Half Salary Guide or explore the demand for tech talent with our free report.
