Network Engineer

Western Kentucky University; Kentucky; On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is seeking a highly motivated Network Engineer to design, implement, maintain, and advance the University's enterprise network infrastructure that supports students, faculty, staff, research, and campus operations.

Reporting to the Lead Network Engineer, this role collaborates with technology teams across the University to deliver reliable, secure, and innovative networking solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of network engineering/administration experience.
• Experience deploying enterprise networking technologies.
• Experience with Aruba/Juniper/Cisco or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain enterprise network infrastructure across campus environments.
• Install and support switches, routers, wireless systems, and related tech.
• Monitor, optimize, and secure network performance; document standards and procedures.
• Collaborate with ITS teams and stakeholders on technology initiatives.
• Provide on-call support and flexible hours for maintenance and incidents.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Continuous learning

Communication skills

Project management

Linux

Windows Server

VMware ESX

x86/x64 server platforms

Enterprise wireless networking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Aruba

Juniper

Cisco

Job description

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about .

Job Description:

Purpose of the Position

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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• 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

Requirements:

• 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.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $ 70,000 - $75,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form . Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website .

For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please [e-mail] .