Network Engineer

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906 WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16293 students and nearly 2612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students faculty and staff to become effective scholars contributors and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville TN and just over 100 miles south of Louisville KY WKUs main campus is in Bowling Green KY - a city with approximately 70000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKUs strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays vacation and sick leave and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at Description:

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 Universitys 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 Universitys 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

• Bachelors 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 drivers license maintained in accordance with university requirements.

Salary Range: $ 70000 - $75000

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 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 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKUs Discrimination and Harassment Policy No. 0.2040 and/or WKUs 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 WKUs Title IX website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: information related to job postings application status or the hiring process please email.

The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The candidate review process will generally begin as materials are received.