IT network engineer job description.

What does an IT network engineer do?

 

An IT network engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organisation’s network infrastructure. They ensure that systems are secure, scalable, and support the connectivity needs of the business.

 

Their tasks include configuring switches, routers, and firewalls, setting up VLANs and VPNs, managing IP schemes, and maintaining uptime across LAN/WAN environments. They also contribute to troubleshooting complex connectivity issues and ensuring compliance with internal or external standards.

 

In small businesses, they may work across the full infrastructure stack. In larger environments, network engineers focus on design and high-level troubleshooting, often working alongside architects and security teams.

 

Key responsibilities of an IT network engineer.

 

Network engineers build and maintain enterprise network infrastructure. Their typical responsibilities include:

• Designing, configuring, and supporting LAN, WAN, and wireless networks

• Installing firewalls, routers, and switches to support secure connectivity

• Implementing and managing VPNs, QoS, and VLANs

• Performing network troubleshooting and capacity planning

• Supporting cloud networking across AWS, Azure, or hybrid environments

• Collaborating with security teams to enforce access controls and segmentation

• Documenting configurations, topologies, and failover setups

• Conducting network performance monitoring and reporting

• Maintaining compliance with IT policies and audit requirements

• Supporting voice-over-IP (VoIP), video conferencing, and unified comms systems

This role blends hands-on engineering with design and operational delivery.

 

Skills and requirements for an IT network engineer.

 

Network engineers design and configure enterprise-grade networking environments. Employers typically look for:

• 4–8 years of experience in network engineering or IT infrastructure

• Proven experience configuring routers, switches, and firewalls

• Skilled in designing secure, scalable LAN/WAN and wireless networks

• Familiarity with Cisco, Juniper, or enterprise networking tools

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve network performance issues

• Experience with VPNs, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, and network security

• Confidence implementing monitoring and failover systems

• Ability to produce technical documentation and network diagrams

• Strong project coordination and communication skills

Most network engineers are certified professionals (e.g., CCNA/CCNP).

 

Average salary for an IT network engineer.

 

In the UK, the average salary for an IT network engineer typically ranges from £45,000 to £60,000, depending on routing, switching, and multi-site configuration experience.

• Mid-level network engineers typically earn between £45,000 and £52,000

• Senior engineers working on SD-WAN, MPLS, or enterprise-grade firewalls can earn between £53,000 and £60,000

• CCNP/CCIE certifications are often rewarded with premium salaries

London-based roles and those in high-compliance sectors like finance and healthcare command the highest packages.

 

Career progression for an IT network engineer.

 

An IT network engineer builds, configures, and maintains the hardware and software needed to keep organisations connected. It’s a high-responsibility technical role with clear upward mobility. A typical career path includes:

 

IT technician

 

Installs network devices, resolves basic connectivity issues, and provides user support.

 

IT network engineer

 

Designs and implements network infrastructure, including firewalls, VPNs, VLANs, and wireless systems.

 

Senior network engineer

 

Leads infrastructure scaling, manages multi-site connectivity, and supports security and compliance audits.

 

IT network manager / Infrastructure lead

 

Manages project delivery, team performance, and vendor relationships across networking infrastructure.

 

Network architect

 

Designs future-proof networks. Shapes digital strategy around resilience, speed, and innovation.