Network Systems Research Engineer, Levels III, IV, Sr I

Texas A&M University; Bryan (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University System Offices – Center for Applied Communications and Networks seeks a Network Systems Research Engineer, Levels III, IV, Sr I, to advance research networks on campus and beyond. You will design, implement, and secure research networks while mentoring graduate assistants and coordinating with researchers, administrators, and vendors.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field and extensive experience in network engineering, security, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field.
• Six years of network/wireless networking related experience for level III.
• Eight years for level IV.
• Nine years for Senior Network Systems Research Engineer I.

Responsibilities

• Research Proposals: evaluate technical approaches and propose network-related solutions.
• Network Design and Documentation: establish standards, gather inputs, design research networks.
• Network Configuration, Installation, and Testing: plan work, deploy and test networks to standards.
• Network Research, Operations, and Support: provide Tier I–III support, implement security measures and DR plans.
• Research Project Presentations and Reporting: prepare updates, reports, and deliverables for sponsors.
• Training and Development: stay updated on emergent technologies and best practices.
• Supervision and Training: lead and coach graduate assistants and student technicians.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Skills

LANs & VLANs

IP networking

Networking hardware

MS 365 & Office tools

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Adobe Suite

Job description

Job Title

Network Systems Research Engineer, Levels III, IV, Sr I

Location

Bryan, Texas

Organization

Texas A&M University System Offices – Center for Applied Communications and Networks

Overview

The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System, representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth and the Texas A&M – RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond. This position is a staff role at the System Offices. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Research Proposals (5%)
  • Conducts evaluation and analysis of technical approaches to research opportunities.
  • Conducts research and evaluation of appropriate equipment, protocols, designs, procedures, and tools to address research requirements.
  • Produces network designs and other technical aspects of the research proposal submission.
• Network Design and Documentation (15%)
  • Establishes standards and plans for new or upgraded research networks.
  • Collects and evaluates input from researchers, systems administrators, contractors, and vendors to develop specifications, requirements, and plans for networks.
  • Designs activities for network research projects.
  • Recommends research network designs.
  • Establishes standards and processes used to detail network engineering designs, and assists with planning and mapping methods, procedures, problems, and repairs to those standards and processes.
  • Designs research network system security measures, configuration backup, and security methods.
• Network Configuration, Installation, and Testing (20%)
  • Collaborates with research team and develops work plans and time schedules for projects including outlining phases, identifying personnel, and networking requirements.
  • Establishes standards for the implementation of new technology deployments and research network integration and interoperability testing.
  • Configures, installs, and tests research networks.
  • Tests the methods and plans used to certify sophisticated research networking projects to required installation design standards.
• Network Research, Operations, and Support (20%)
  • Establishes protocols and processes for problem management and support.
  • Provides Tier I, II and III support for network issues and assists the rest of the research team as needed on other support issues.
  • Performs diagnostics and repair of complex hardware and software problems.
  • Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of established processes and protocols.
  • Establishes procedures for compliance with network security regulations.
  • Performs security assessments and audits to ensure compliance with government standards.
  • Designs and implements security measures, data backup, and protection methods.
  • Develops disaster recovery plans for network equipment and systems.
  • Drives to other locations on campus, on other campuses, and to vendor and other locations for meetings and to assist with research network installation and operations.
  • Supports researchers with gathering data, such as packet captures, for research and other projects.
• Research Project Presentations and Reporting (15%)
  • Contributes to the preparation of monthly/quarterly updates to project sponsors.
  • Contributes to the presentation of monthly/quarterly project updates to project sponsors.
  • Collects technical updates for monthly/quarterly updates to project sponsors.
  • Collaborates with the research team to help define the contents of project deliverable reports.
  • Collects data and other artifacts needed for project reporting.
  • Assists with the preparation of project deliverables and reports.
  • Assists with the preparation of presentations to project sponsors and at industry symposia.
• Training and Development (10%)
  • Stays abreast of emerging technologies and best practices.
  • Engages in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance technical skills and knowledge in research computing engineering.
• Supervision and Training (10%)
  • Provides technical leadership to student teams.
  • Leads, motivates, develops, and coaches Graduate Assistant and Student Technicians.
  • Models ethical, regulatory, and performance standards.
  • Models and promotes the open sharing of information, dedication to the team's mission, customer commitment, collaboration, and cooperation.
  • Participates in training and professional development with a special emphasis on leadership development, management, industry related acumen, and project and operations management.
  • Conducts professional development trainings for team members.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Education and Experience

• Network Systems Research Engineer III
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Six years of network/wireless networking related experience.
• Network Systems Research Engineer IV
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Eight years of network/wireless networking related experience.
• Senior Network Systems Research Engineer I
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Nine years of network/wireless networking related experience.

Registration, Certifications, and Licenses

• Ability to obtain a US Passport and the ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Ability to obtain Secret-level US security clearance based on a background investigation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• LANs and L2 switching: copper, fiber, WiFi, VLANs, spanning tree.
• IP networking and L3 switching/routing: IP subnetting, direct, static, and dynamic routing.
• Supporting services: DHCP, NTP, DNS.
• Skilled at using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications to produce professional-quality proposals and documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work digitally (paperless) utilizing Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, ... ), Adobe, and other tools.
• Willing and able to occasionally work outside normal office hours.
• Able to install/remove equipment such as servers, switches, radios and antennas, in racks or mounted on walls or polls or other locations.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• IT certifications in Networking, Network Security, Juniper, Cisco or other routing and security categories.
• Network Technology
  • Monitoring: SNMP, logging.
  • Network security: firewalls, NAT/PAT.

Other Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Walk, use as step stool.
• Climb ladders to reach radio locations.
• Work generally performed in an environmentally controlled office space; occasional activities at outdoor facilities may be required, which could involve exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Security and Citizenship Requirements

This position requires U.S. citizenship and a legal permanent resident status. Only U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible. The position is security-sensitive and requires a Secret-level clearance.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Texas A&M University System is an Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. All individuals are encouraged to apply.