Senior Network Engineer

Webster University•Webster Groves, MO

About The Position

The Senior Network Engineer reports to the Director of Information Security & Network Services and is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the university’s global network infrastructure. This role ensures the availability, security, and performance of local and wide area networks that support students, faculty, and staff across a diverse and international campus footprint. The Senior Network Engineer leads complex technical initiatives, provides escalation support, and plays a key role in developing and documenting network standards, configurations, and operational procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on experience in enterprise network engineering roles.
Extensive knowledge and practical experience with routing, switching, and wireless networking in enterprise environments, including configuration, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
Experience with Cisco and/or Juniper network platforms required, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked in environments transitioning to or operating on Juniper-based networks.
Experience with enterprise wireless systems (e.g., Cisco, Juniper/Mist) required.
Extensive hands-on experience with enterprise networking technologies, including routers, switches, wireless access points, and network controllers in both LAN and WAN environments.
Proficient in configuring and managing wireless networks in complex campus or enterprise environments.
Strong understanding of core communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP) and dynamic routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF.
Demonstrated experience with network troubleshooting tools and methodologies, including packet analysis and performance tuning.
Familiarity with multi-vendor environments and transitioning between platforms (e.g., Cisco to Juniper, on-prem to cloud).
Proven ability to work independently on complex assignments and deliver results on time while keeping stakeholders informed.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to document technical processes clearly and effectively.
Capable of managing vendor relationships, tracking software updates, and coordinating support for third-party tools.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to issue resolution and continuous improvement.
Skilled in generating detailed reports and maintaining accurate documentation for audits, compliance, and operational continuity.
Trusted to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Strong organizational, mentoring, and leadership abilities within a collaborative team environment.
Advanced analytical thinking and logical reasoning skills essential for diagnosing and resolving complex network problems.

Responsibilities

Network Infrastructure Implementation and Support
Install, configure, and support core network equipment including routers, switches, wireless LAN controllers, and DNS/DHCP servers.
Manage and maintain enterprise wireless infrastructure, ensuring reliable coverage, capacity, and performance across all campuses.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, including those escalated from Tier 2 support.
Monitoring, Optimization, and Documentation
Continuously monitor network performance using network management systems and analytics tools; proactively identify and remediate performance bottlenecks.
Design, maintain, and update network documentation, including system configuration guides and topology diagrams.
Standardize configuration templates and leverage automation to deploy and manage network resources more efficiently.
Security and Compliance
Experience with next-generation firewall platforms (e.g., Cisco, Fortinet) in enterprise environments, including policy management, VPNs, and threat prevention.
Apply firmware updates, patches, hotfixes, and service packs in alignment with security policies and change control procedures.
Ensure compliance with university IT policies and industry best practices for secure network operations.
Project Leadership and Vendor Coordination
Lead or support network infrastructure projects, including planning, procurement, implementation, and documentation.
Coordinate with subcontractors and external consultants; manage relationships with vendors and lead regular business reviews.
Team Collaboration and Mentorship
Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical escalation point within the team.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on IT initiatives and university-wide technology projects.
Operational Readiness and Support Coverage
Provide off-hours support, as needed, for high-severity network or voice system incidents that significantly impact university operations, ensuring timely restoration of services.
Participate in incident response and escalation efforts in collaboration with IT team members, providing guidance and support as appropriate.
Maintain detailed records in accordance with change management, incident tracking, and asset inventory standards.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Manager of Network Services.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
Provide occasional support for university-wide voice and unified communications systems, including cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
Assist with troubleshooting, configuration, and integration of voice solutions in collaboration with the Voice Services or Unified Communications team.