NETWORK SPECIALIST

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,556 - 115,920; Full time

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in Seattle is seeking an experienced Network Engineer to manage network infrastructure and perform installations and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Data Networking and at least three years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include configuring network components, leading implementation projects, and providing technical support. This role plays a critical part in ensuring network availability across multiple campuses and requires collaboration with technical teams. This position is 100% on-site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 3+ years in network engineering or operations.
• Experience with enterprise routing and switching services.
• Ability to create clear technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform network installations and troubleshooting.
• Lead complex change windows and post-change stabilization.
• Configure and manage network infrastructure components.

Skills

TCP/IP

VLANs

OSPF/BGP fundamentals

IPv6 fundamentals

QoS

network security controls

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications, Data Networking, or Computer Science

Tools

JUNOS

Job description

Position Purpose

The Network Engineer is an advanced, non‑supervisory engineering role that bridges Network Implementation and Network Operations responsibilities into explicit engineering ownership. This position translates established network architecture and standards into deployable designs and configurations, leads medium‑complexity deployments and changes, and provides escalation support for incidents impacting the wired network service. The role is intended as a progression step toward full network engineering responsibilities.

Position Complexities

This position operates in a complex, high‑availability environment supporting diverse academic, clinical, and research stakeholders across multiple sites. Work regularly involves non‑routine technical challenges where requirements may be incomplete, timelines constrained, and risk must be actively managed. The role requires applying independent judgment within established architecture and standards to plan and execute complex network changes, coordinate cross‑functional deployment activities, and ensure successful stabilization and transition to steady‑state operations.

Complexity Is Driven By

• Ambiguity and engineering judgment: translating customer and operational requirements into a viable design/configuration approach within standards; evaluating tradeoffs and documenting decisions.
• Change risk and operational impact: planning, sequencing, and executing changes with rollback strategies; minimizing downtime and coordinating maintenance windows.
• Cross‑team coordination: leading technical coordination across engineering, NIM‑dispatch (field deployment), the NOC, and campus/clinical partners to deliver end‑to‑end outcomes.
• Competing priorities: balancing incident support, project delivery, and technical debt reduction while maintaining service reliability expectations.
• Accountability for outcomes: owning technical quality (configuration intent, validation, documentation/as‑builts, and post‑change stabilization), not simply completing assigned tasks.
• Work‑lead expectations (non‑supervisory): providing technical direction and task coordination for defined work efforts (e.g., change windows or deployments) while escalations and staffing remain with management.

Position Dimensions And Impact To The University

This is an essential position and is 100% on‑site. The University of Washington relies on enterprise wired network infrastructure to support teaching, learning, research, clinical care, and administrative operations across multiple campuses, UW Medicine sites, and remote locations. This position contributes directly to network availability, change quality, and service continuity by owning the engineering work needed to deploy and operate network services reliably at scale. The Grade 9 Network Engineer is typically accountable for one or more defined service areas or domains and is expected to improve reliability through documentation, standardization, validation, and post‑incident corrective actions.

Position Responsibilities

35% Deploy & Sustain (Complex Implementation + Operations)

• Independently perform complex network installations, upgrades, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair to restore and sustain wired network services.
• Lead/execute complex change windows and post‑change stabilization; coordinate escalation with the NOC as needed.

20% Build (Configuration Ownership)

• Configure and manage network infrastructure components, including routers, switches, and firewalls, in alignment with established engineering standards.
• Develop/review implementation‑ready configurations for complex work and validate intended outcomes.

15% Test & Validate (Standards Alignment)

• Test new equipment and firmware (lab/pilot/controlled deployment) to confirm compatibility with departmental network standards and operational requirements.

25% Quality Assurance (Installation/Upgrade Verification)

• Perform QA on network installations, upgrades, and additions, including validation checks, documentation/as‑builts, and readiness for operational handoff.

10% Coordination, Support, and Work‑Lead (Non‑Supervisory)

• Provide technical expertise and support for campus telecommunications and data networking installation/maintenance; help coordinate facilities‑related issues tied to installation activities.
• Support on‑site technical and operational staff; may direct the work of others during defined deployment activities/change windows.

10% Procedures & Training

• Provide coordination/support to on‑site technical and operational staff; may direct the work of others during defined deployment activities/change windows.
• Train/guide technicians on new equipment, procedures, and best practices in accordance with departmental standards.

Lead Responsibilities

N/A

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications, Data Networking, Computer Science, or related field and three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in network engineering, network operations, or large‑scale network troubleshooting in a complex environment.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated experience implementing and supporting enterprise routing and switching services (TCP/IP, VLANs, OSPF/BGP fundamentals, IPv6 fundamentals, QoS, and network security controls).
• Experience planning and executing production changes with documented implementation and rollback plans; ability to assess risk and communicate status to stakeholders.
• Ability to create clear technical documentation (as‑builts, runbooks, troubleshooting guides) and maintain accurate configuration records.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills across engineering, operations, and field/implementation teams; ability to provide technical guidance without direct authority.

Desired

• Experience with JUNOS (or comparable network operating systems) and enterprise monitoring/management platforms.
• Experience with ITIL practices (incident/problem/change management) and/or structured root‑cause analysis.
• Experience with automation or tooling to improve operational consistency (scripting, configuration validation, or templating).
• Experience working in health‑care, research university, or similarly regulated/high‑availability environments.

Working Environmental Conditions

• This position is 100% on‑site.
• Hybrid work environment; periodic on‑site presence required for deployments, troubleshooting, or site coordination.
• Must be willing to participate in after‑hours on‑call rotations and planned maintenance windows.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds with proper lifting techniques when required for on‑site work; may work in confined spaces (communications rooms, raised floors) as needed.

Other Comments

Must be willing to adjust core work schedule. This is an essential position and is required to report to work when UW suspends operations. Must be available for potential off‑shift schedules and to participate in after‑hours on‑call rotation. Must be able to operate a state vehicle on a daily basis, requiring a current driver’s license valid for use in the State of Washington. If necessary, duties may be performed outside normal business hours and weekends.

A satisfactory outcome from a criminal history verification may be required prior to hire.

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range Minimum: $95,556.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum: $115,920.00 annual

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?: This is a regular position

FTE (Full‑Time Equivalent): 100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/.

About The UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206‑543‑6450 or [e-mail]. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.