Associate Network Engineer or Network Engineer

Technology Services - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

We are seeking an Associate Network Engineer or Network Engineer for Networking Services who will work on installation and maintenance of the campus Wi-Fi network, including identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving complex network issues. They will also participate in choosing equipment to acquire, purchase, and deploy. Successful candidates will have previous functional experience in large or enterprise scale networks monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi networking hardware, have
experience configuring and troubleshooting client devices using TLS certificates, and working on projects that involve multiple teams. They should be eager to help campus users get all types of devices working and troubleshoot connectivity issues on the Urbana campus HPE Aruba Wi-Fi network. While this position is listed for hybrid, employee’s preference for on-site offices would be accommodated. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

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Associate Network Engineer Job Summary

Identify, troubleshoot and resolve network issues. Provide operational decision making in a team context with regard to deployment, acquisition, maintenance and support of critical network systems.

Network Engineer Job Summary

Identify, troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues. Provide independent operational decision making in a team context with regard to deployment, acquisition, purchasing, maintenance and support of critical network systems.

Associate Network Engineer Job Summary

Install, maintain and support segments of the network such as to:

• Apply researched and proven methodologies, networking principles, practices, and procedures to configure, maintain, and/or troubleshoot networking systems and protocols (e.g., routers, switches, network security devices, WiFi, BGP, OSPF, MPLS)
• Perform routine network equipment configuration and installations, with a limited scope (limited impact, across multiple buildings and locations) while minimizing the impact on customers
• Schedule and perform software upgrades including the uploading of network equipment software
• Install/replace network hardware and their hardware components as well as make final physical connections for new links between network devices
• Contribute to information gathering and discovery/confirmation diagnostics during wide-spread outages

Design and Implementation of network services

• Maintain proactive awareness of new technologies and trends within the field of networking
• Work with customers on campus to design/build/maintain services to facilitate campus, student, teaching, and research needs
• Develop and/or implement network designs
• Contribute to the strategic network plan
• Work with network automation and monitoring tools to manage network services

Ensure excellent Customer Service throughout the IT Infrastructure, Technology Services, and campus community including but not limited to:

• Understand the overall processes and procedures of the organization and make recommendations in the continual improvement of those processes and procedures, providing for management analysis and recommendations on continuous improvement
• Partner with other Technology Services Units by setting and managing the expectations of customers
• Act as an advocate for Technology Services customers in service planning and deployment across the organization
• Escalate and resolve customer satisfaction issues, as necessary
• Work non-traditional hours and respond to on-call requests to provide 24 x 7 service availability
• May cross-train other Technology Services employees on complexities of assigned work and the application of new and upcoming technologies

Participate in in a team environment including, but not limited to:

• Coordinate tasks related to a project
• Contribute to diverse and cross-functional teams including teams with members from across the University
• Provide knowledge-sharing for Technology Services staff and as appropriate other University personnel

Other duties as assigned.

Network Engineer Duties & Responsibilities

Install, maintain and support a cross-section of the network including but not limited to:

• Apply researched and proven methodologies, networking principles, practices, and procedures to configure, maintain, and/or troubleshoot networking systems and protocols (e.g., routers, switches, network security devices, WiFi, BGP, OSPF, MPLS)
• Perform complex network equipment configuration and installations, with a medium scope (moderate impact, across multiple buildings and locations) while minimizing the impact on customers
• Schedule and perform software upgrades including the uploading, testing and validation of network equipment software
• Install/replace network hardware and their hardware components as well as make final physical connections for new links between network devices
• Perform information gathering and discovery/confirmation diagnostics during wide-spread outages

Design and Implementation of network services

• Maintain proactive awareness of new technologies and trends within the field of networking and evaluate the appropriateness of this technology for the campus network
• Work with customers on campus to design/build/maintain services to facilitate campus, student, teaching, and research needs
• Implement network and/or network security designs of increasing complexity
• Contribute to the strategic network plan
• Configure and implement network automation and monitoring tools to manage network services

Ensure excellent Customer Service throughout the IT Infrastructure, Technology Services, and campus community including but not limited to:

• Understand the overall processes and procedures of the organization and make recommendations in the continual improvement of those processes and procedures, providing for management analysis and recommendations on continuous improvement
• Partner with other Technology Services Units by setting and managing the expectations of customers
• Act as an advocate for Technology Services customers in service planning and deployment across the organization
• Escalate and resolve customer satisfaction issues, as necessary
• Work non-traditional hours and respond to on-call requests to provide 24 x 7 service availability
• Cross-train other Technology Services employees on complexities of assigned work and the application of new and upcoming technologies

Participate in in a team environment including, but not limited to:

• Lead projects (including those with a high impact or a high degree of complexity)
• Contribute to diverse and cross-functional teams including teams with members from across the University
• Provide knowledge-sharing for Technology Services staff and as appropriate other University personnel

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent
2. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following
   categories:
   1. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      1. 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      2. Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      3. 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      4. Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. Work experience in IT-related functions, such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for Network Engineer Level

1. Demonstrated work experience with one or more networking technologies in a large network environment comprised of multiple LANs/VLANs, associated routers, switches, wireless, firewalls, and VPNs.
2. Demonstrated experience leading projects of small scope using Project Management principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or other relevant field. Two years of experience with one or more networking technologies including but not limited to routers, switches, WiFi, firewalls, and VPNs. Experience in a R1 research network environment. Familiarity with Junos Operating System, Cisco ios, Cisco NX-OS, or HPE switch configuration. Familiarity with Controller-based Aruba WiFi systems. Some experience with BGP, OSPF, and/or MPLS protocols and configurations. Experience contributing to diverse, cross-functional teams.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Familiarity with network design concepts and basic TCP/IP networking. Demonstrated ability in effective communication and collaboration in a high performance team environment. Demonstrated commitment to customer service. Familiarity with UNIX command line environment. Familiarity with Layer 1 physical infrastructure (such as fiber and copper) TIA standards, installation, testing and certification. Understanding of network design concepts and basic TCP/IP networking. Familiarity with UNIX system administration skills. Ability to write simple scripts. Familiarity with tools and techniques for network automation and management. Familiarity with public cloud computing environments (such as AWS and Azure). Knowledge of project management principles.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5031 - Information Technology Technical Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for the Associate Network Engineer is $65,000.00 to $80,000.00, and is $75,000.00 to $90,000.00 for the Network Engineer. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 26, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

To complete the application process:
Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application using the "Apply Now" button at the top of the page.
Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.
Step 3) Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three references.

If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Dallas Johnson at dallas1@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID: 1031261
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu