Senior Network Engineer Salary Interview Job Description Career
Senior Network Engineer Salary Interview Job Description Career
In this video I talk about the role of Senior Network Engineer.
I’m going to describe the skills and certifications required, some things to bear in mind during interviews, and salaries you can expect.
But first, a few words about my own experience.
I’ve worked in the telecommunications industry since about 1992. My first job was as a Network Technician and I subsequently became a Network Engineer.
I first obtained a CCNA in 1999 and within a few more years had passed the CCNP and CCIP.
After a number of years and several changes of employer I became a Senior Network Engineer.
For the first few years as a technician I worked on an SNA mainframe network but for the past two decades I have worked on Cisco routers and switches.
I attempted the CCIE Routing & Switching lab exam but didn’t pass.
However, this hasn’t prevented me from having a long career as a Network Engineer that continues to this day.
So, after 25 years of working on networks created using Cisco hardware and software I’m going to describe the role in the hope that it will be of some help to others.
Senior Network Engineer Job Description.
You’re probably well aware by now that Senior Network Engineers have a thorough understanding of TCP/IP networks, Cisco hardware and software, routing protocols, and all the many other components within large VPNs that connect the world.
Twenty years ago you could follow the certification path that began with a CCNA, then CCNP, and ended with a CCIE, and if you were really keen you could obtain a CCIE in two or more specialties.
After two decades of evolving technology there are now numerous tracks to follow at the Associate, Professional, and Expert levels.
The CCNA used to be just about routing and switching.
Now you can choose between CCNA Cloud, Collaboration, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Routing & Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless.
However, whichever track you choose the one thing that all engineers have in common is that they understand how IP packets get from one computer to another.
You may also have skills, experience, and certification in emerging technologies such as SD-WAN and Cisco Meraki, as well as non-Cisco disciplines like Juniper, Zscaler, Riverbed etc.
Senior Network Engineers are both technically experienced and good communicators.
It’s not enough that you can configure and troubleshoot complex IP networks.
You also need to be able to communicate well with other engineers, technical architects, and the all-important customers.
You also need to be able to summarise and explain network designs, problems, and solutions to non-technical people who may be colleagues within your company, or your company’s customers.
So my first tip is; don’t get fixated on the technical certifications.
Make sure you develop those soft skills too.