Network Engineer

Charleston Southern University

Position Summary:

The Network Engineer is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, securing, and improving the University's enterprise network infrastructure. This position supports wired and wireless networks, telecommunications systems, network security, and related technologies to ensure reliable and efficient connectivity across campus.

Reporting to the Network Infrastructure Manager, the Network Engineer installs and configures network equipment, monitors system performance, troubleshoots connectivity issues, implements upgrades and security enhancements, and supports infrastructure projects. The role collaborates with IT teams, vendors, faculty, and staff to maintain secure, dependable, and high-performing technology services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administer, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot the University's wired and wireless network infrastructure.

• Install, configure, and maintain network switches, routers, wireless access points, firewalls, VPNs, and related equipment.

• Monitor network performance, availability, security, and alerts to identify and resolve potential issues.

• Troubleshoot connectivity and performance issues affecting campus users, remote users, servers, cloud services, and enterprise applications.

• Perform hardware and software upgrades, firmware updates, security patches, and infrastructure enhancements.

• Support network security initiatives, including access controls, network segmentation, vulnerability remediation, and secure remote access.

• Assist with network infrastructure projects, equipment replacements, wireless expansions, and technology deployments.

• Support VoIP telephone systems, telecommunications infrastructure, structured cabling, and fiber optic networks.

• Maintain network documentation, diagrams, configurations, IP address records, and equipment inventories.

• Participate in network incident response, root cause analysis, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity activities.

• Collaborate with IT departments and external vendors to resolve technical issues and support institutional technology initiatives.

• Evaluate networking technologies and recommend improvements to network reliability, security, and performance.

• Provide technical support during scheduled maintenance, planned outages, and emergency situations, including occasional after-hours work.

• Maintain compliance with institutional policies, cybersecurity standards, and applicable regulations.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.

• Four or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting enterprise network infrastructure.

• Demonstrated experience with enterprise switching, routing, wireless networking, firewalls, VPN technologies, and network monitoring tools.

• Experience troubleshooting network connectivity, performance, and infrastructure issues.

• Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining network hardware, software, and security technologies.

• Knowledge of network security principles, access controls, vulnerability remediation, and secure networking practices.

• Familiarity with telecommunications infrastructure, structured cabling, and fiber optic networking.

• Strong analytical, organizational, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Commitment to customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education environment.

• Professional certifications such as Cisco CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Network /Security , Aruba certifications, or equivalent.

• Experience with Cisco, Aruba, Ruckus, or similar enterprise networking platforms.

• Experience administering enterprise wireless networks and VoIP systems.

• Familiarity with network access control (NAC), identity management, multi-factor authentication, and directory services.

• Experience with cloud networking, virtualization, hybrid cloud environments, scripting, or network automation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of enterprise networking concepts, including routing, switching, VLANs, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, wireless networking, VPNs, and network protocols.

• Understanding of firewalls, network security, intrusion detection, vulnerability management, and cybersecurity best practices.

• Ability to monitor, analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex network issues.

• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining professionalism and strong customer service.

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in an office and technology environment, with regular interaction with IT personnel, faculty, staff, and vendors. The position requires periodic work in telecommunications rooms, network closets, data centers, and campus facilities. Occasional evening, weekend, and after-hours work may be necessary to support maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and critical network issues.