Network Engineer

Western Kentucky University is seeking a highly motivated Network Engineer to join the Network Team within the Infrastructure and Operations Department. This position plays a key role in designing, implementing, maintaining, and advancing the University’s enterprise network infrastructure that supports students, faculty, staff, research, and critical campus operations.

Reporting to the Lead Network Engineer, this position works collaboratively with technology teams across the University to deliver reliable, secure, and innovative networking solutions. The successful candidate will contribute to strategic technology initiatives while supporting a complex environment that includes core, data center, wireless, edge, communications, and access network technologies.

This is an excellent opportunity for a network professional who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working with modern enterprise technologies from leading equipment providers like HPE(Aruba/Juniper), Cisco, and other top tier equipment, and making a meaningful impact within a large and diverse campus environment.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on departmental and institutional needs.

Network Engineering & Operations

• Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure supporting academic, administrative, residential, and research environments.
• Install, configure, and support enterprise-class network switches, routers, wireless systems, communications systems, and related technologies.
• Monitor and optimize network performance, availability, reliability, and security.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of network upgrades, expansions, and modernization initiatives.
• Maintain accurate network documentation, diagrams, standards, and operational procedures.
• Support and maintain network management, monitoring, authentication, and security systems.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Network Specialists and other technical staff.
• Collaborate with internal ITS teams and campus stakeholders to support technology initiatives and institutional objectives.
• Research emerging technologies and evaluate solutions that enhance network performance, security, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in project planning, coordination, and execution for network and enterprise technology projects.

Support & Service

• Provide exceptional customer service while supporting faculty, staff, students, and departmental technology partners.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule to support planned maintenance activities and respond to critical network incidents when necessary.
• Maintain flexibility to perform occasional work outside normal business hours to support project implementations and emergency response activities., Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

• A strong commitment to customer service and technical excellence.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to build productive working relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• A passion for continuous learning and professional development.
• The ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to audiences of varying technical backgrounds.
• Professionalism, integrity, accountability, and commitment to supporting the University’s mission.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Experience supporting enterprise wireless networking environments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Operational familiarity with Linux, Windows Server, VMware ESX, and x86/x64 server platforms, * Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in network engineering, network administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience deploying, configuring, and supporting enterprise networking technologies.
• Experience with Aruba/Juniper/Cisco and/or other leading enterprise networking platforms.
• Experience using network monitoring, management, and documentation systems within a large-scale environment.
• Working knowledge of Ethernet, IP, VLAN, SNMP, DNS, DHCP, and VoIP technologies.
• Valid driver’s license maintained in accordance with university requirements.