Network Engineer

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

Job 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.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: https://www.wku.edu/academics/

For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please email employment@wku.edu.