Network Engineer

Purdue Information Technology; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN is seeking a Network Engineer to support WAN/LAN/Wireless networks and security devices. The role involves monitoring availability, applying changes, and coordinating with the Network Operations team.

Senior staff will lead design and implementation across campus segments, document projects, and mentor junior engineers. The position includes on-call duties and occasional after-hours work to maintain University networking operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in telecommunication, networking, engineering, IT or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in network engineering, architecture design, supporting and deploying solutions for infrastructures including LAN, WAN, and Wireless networks
• US Citizen
• A valid driver’s license
• Four (4) years of experience in network engineering, architecture design, supporting and deploying solutions for infrastructures including LAN, WAN, and Wireless networks
• In lieu of degree, consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required experience (associate’s degree + 4 years of experience; HS/HSE+ 6 years of experience)

Responsibilities

• Direct involvement in managing network equipment across campus, including configuration changes and code upgrades
• Evaluate, implement, and manage various tools to monitor and support the network
• Create documentation for projects and processes
• Guide junior level network administrators and engineers
• Lead network design and implementation for one or more areas of the campus network infrastructure (e.g. Routing, Optical networks, Data Centers, Access Networking, Wireless, Firewalls, VPN Services, DNS, DHCP, Authentication, Monitoring)

Skills

Cisco networking

Networking protocols

Project management

Cross-campus coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in telecom/networking/IT

Alternative education/experience path

Tools

Cisco IOS/Networking tools

Firewall/VPN products

Job description

Job Summary

Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana

As the Network Engineer:

• Direct involvement in managing network equipment across campus, including configuration changes and code upgrades
• Evaluate, implement, and manage various tools to monitor and support the network
• Create documentation for projects and processes.
• Guide junior level network administrators and engineers.

Job Description

Job Title: Network Engineer

City: West Lafayette

Job Description

Job Summary

Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana

As the Network Engineer:

The Network Engineer is responsible for supporting and implementing changes on the University’s WAN, LAN, Wireless networks, and security devices. This position will work in the Network Engineering group to monitor network availability, resolve medium to high level impacting events, and implement new projects and changes within the Purdue University network.

• Direct involvement in managing network equipment across campus, including configuration changes and code upgrades
• Evaluate, implement, and manage various tools to monitor and support the network
• Create documentation for projects and processes.
• Guide junior level network administrators and engineers.

The Network Engineer will work with the Network Operations team to improve operational stability by evaluating new technologies and conducting root cause analysis. This position works a standard 40-hour week with hours between 8am and 5pm. Network outages and special projects will require work outside these hours (at night, weekends, and holidays). Network operations and engineering operates on an on-call schedule for unplanned events.

As the Senior Network Engineer:

This senior level network engineer is responsible for architecting and maintaining the University’s WAN, LAN, Wireless networks, and security devices. The incumbent will

• Lead network design and implementation for one or more areas of the campus network infrastructure (e.g. Routing, Optical networks, Data Centers, Access Networking, Wireless, Firewalls, VPN Services, DNS, DHCP, Authentication, Monitoring, etc.)
• Provide documentation for projects and processes.
• Coach less experienced network administrators and engineers.

The Senior Network Engineer will work in the Network Engineering team to improve operational stability by evaluating new technologies and conducting root cause analysis. The candidate will provide Tier 3 senior level support and perform on-call duties. This position works a standard 40-hour week with hours between 8 am and 5 pm. Network outages and special projects will require work outside these hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays). Network operations and engineering operates an on-call schedule for unplanned events.

The network engineering team supports Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue Northwest (Hammond/Westville), Purdue Ft. Wayne, and Purdue Indianapolis. This position requires being local to the Purdue West Lafayette. We support a multi-vendor and location environment, and a successful senior network engineer must be able to work with staff across institutions using the most appropriate technologies to meet the needs of all campuses.

This is a dual level posting where the hiring manager will determine the level according to the education and experience of the chosen candidate.

What We’re Looking For

Education and Experience Required

As the Network Engineer You Will Need The Following

• Bachelor’s degree in telecommunication, networking, engineering, IT or related field
• Two (2) years of experience in network engineering, architecture design, supporting and deploying solutions for infrastructures including LAN, WAN, and Wireless networks
• US Citizen
• A valid driver’s license

As the Senior Network Engineer you will need the above and below

• Four (4) years of experience in network engineering, architecture design, supporting and deploying solutions for infrastructures including LAN, WAN, and Wireless networks
• In lieu of degree, consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required experience (associate’s degree + 4 years of experience; HS/HSE+ 6 years of experience)

Skills Required

• Practical technical knowledge of Cisco and other vendors’ networking technologies, network standards and best practices, and network security and controls
• Understanding of network routing protocols and their applications and characteristic behaviors like BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and STP
• Practical knowledge of project management including planning, collaboration, and documentation
• Must be able to work with staff across institutions using the most appropriate technologies to meet the needs of all three campuses
• Verbal and written communication skills

Preferred

• CCNA certification or knowledge
• Certification or knowledge of other vendors’ product suites, as well as other routing, switching and wireless products

As the Senior Network Engineer you will need the above and following

• In-depth technical knowledge of Cisco and other vendors’ networking technologies, network standards and best practices, and network security and controls
• CCNP/CCDP certification or knowledge
• Deep understanding of network routing protocols and their applications and characteristic behaviors like BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and STP
• Practical knowledge of project management, including planning, collaboration, and documentation
• Verbal and written communication skills

Preferred

• Certification or knowledge of other vendors’ product suites, as well as other routing, switching and wireless products.
• Strong understanding of Wireless configuration and management
• AI experience
• Cloud experience
• DevOps experience (Unix Shell Scripting, Python, Ansible, and other automation tools)

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days -Summary of Benefits for Professional levels 1-3, Management levels 1-2 - Human Resources - Purdue University.

Who We Are

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.

Posting Start Date: 9/25/26