Network Engineer Resume examples & templates
Copyable Network Engineer Resume examples
Network engineers face a peculiar challenge: when they do their jobs perfectly, nobody notices. It's only when something breaks that people realize how crucial network infrastructure really is. Behind every Zoom call that doesn't freeze, every seamless cloud application, and every lightning-fast data transfer, there's a network engineer who made it possible. With cloud migrations accelerating and remote work becoming permanent for many organizations, the demand for skilled network professionals has jumped 22% since 2020 — far outpacing average IT job growth.
The field has evolved dramatically from the days of simply configuring routers and troubleshooting connectivity issues. Today's network engineers are diving into software-defined networking, implementing zero-trust security models, and managing hybrid cloud environments that blur the lines between traditional networking and systems administration. As 5G rollouts continue and IoT devices multiply (experts predict 27 billion connected devices by 2025), network engineers aren't just maintaining infrastructure — they're architecting the digital foundations that will support tomorrow's innovations.
Junior Network Engineer Resume Example
MARCUS THOMPSON
Denver, CO | (720) 555-8941 | m.thompson.networks@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/marcusthompson87
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Network Engineer with 1+ year of hands-on experience in network implementation and support, plus 6 months of internship experience with Cisco networking equipment. Skilled in network troubleshooting, LAN/WAN configuration, and basic security protocols. Recently completed CCNA certification while working full-time, demonstrating strong technical aptitude and commitment to professional growth.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Network Engineer | TechCore Solutions | Denver, CO | July 2022 – Present
- Assist in managing network infrastructure for 17 small-to-medium business clients across multiple locations
- Configure and maintain Cisco switches, routers and firewalls in a multi-vendor environment
- Reduced network downtime by 31% through implementing proactive monitoring solutions
- Collaborate with senior engineers to design and implement network upgrades for 3 client sites
- Document network topologies and update knowledge base articles for client environments
Network Support Technician | Westland IT Services | Boulder, CO | January 2022 – June 2022
- Provided tier 1 network support for 200+ end users across 4 office locations
- Assisted with troubleshooting VPN connectivity issues and basic firewall configurations
- Managed network equipment inventory and coordinated equipment deployment
- Created and maintained network documentation including IP address schemes
IT Networking Intern | Datastream Technologies | Denver, CO | June 2021 – December 2021
- Shadowed senior network engineers during installation and configuration of network hardware
- Assisted with cable management and physical infrastructure maintenance
- Performed basic switch configurations under supervision of senior staff
- Helped document existing network infrastructure using Visio
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Graduated: May 2021
Relevant coursework: Network Fundamentals, Routing Protocols, Network Security Basics
CERTIFICATIONS
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – April 2023
- CompTIA Network+ – August 2021
- CompTIA A+ – January 2021
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Network Protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, OSPF, VLANs
- Equipment: Cisco routers & switches, Juniper, SonicWall firewalls
- Tools: Wireshark, Solarwinds, PuTTY, Visio
- Security: Basic firewall configuration, VPN setup, network security best practices
- Scripting: Basic PowerShell, some Python for network automation
- Operating Systems: Windows Server 2016/2019, Linux (Ubuntu)
PROJECTS
Home Lab Network Setup – Built a home lab with Cisco equipment to practice networking concepts and security implementations. Includes virtualized environments for testing configurations.
Mid-level Network Engineer Resume Example
Michael Torres
Seattle, WA | (206) 555-8912 | mtorres.networks@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/michaeltorres
SUMMARY
Network Engineer with 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and managing enterprise networks. Skilled in Cisco networking technologies, firewall management, and network security protocols. Proven track record of reducing network outages by 37% and leading technical projects from conception through implementation. Comfortable in high-pressure environments where quick problem-solving is critical.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Network Engineer – Pacific Northwest Solutions, Seattle, WA
June 2022 – Present
- Manage and optimize multi-site network infrastructure supporting 1,200+ users across 8 office locations
- Lead migration from legacy MPLS network to SD-WAN solution, cutting annual connectivity costs by $143K
- Oversee team of 3 junior engineers, providing technical mentorship and creating standardized documentation
- Designed and implemented network segmentation project that improved security posture and helped achieve PCI DSS compliance
- Reduced mean time to resolution for critical network issues from 4.7 hours to under 2 hours
Network Engineer – TechCore Systems, Bellevue, WA
March 2020 – May 2022
- Administered Cisco-based enterprise network including routers, switches, and wireless infrastructure
- Collaborated with security team to implement and maintain firewall rules and VPN configurations
- Created network monitoring solution using Nagios that detected and alerted on 23 previously unknown issues
- Performed regular network audits and vulnerability assessments to identify potential security gaps
- Automated routine network maintenance tasks using Python scripts, saving approx. 9 hours weekly
Network Support Specialist – DataStream Inc., Tacoma, WA
August 2018 – February 2020
- Provided L2/L3 network support for client infrastructure across various industries
- Diagnosed and resolved complex connectivity issues for enterprise clients
- Assisted senior engineers with network upgrades and migrations
- Documented network topologies and created standard operating procedures
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Computer Networking – Washington State University
Graduated: May 2018 – GPA: 3.7
CERTIFICATIONS
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) – Enterprise, Exp. Dec 2024
- Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core, Exp. Dec 2024
- CompTIA Network+, Exp. Aug 2025
- Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), Exp. March 2023 (renewal in progress)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Routing & Switching: Cisco Catalyst/Nexus, Juniper
- Network Protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, STP, VLANs
- Security: Firewalls (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto), VPNs, ACLs
- SD-WAN: Cisco Viptela, VMware VeloCloud
- Network Monitoring: PRTG, SolarWinds, Nagios, Wireshark
- Wireless: Cisco Meraki, Aruba, Ubiquiti
- Automation: Python, Ansible, Git, Bash scripting
- Cloud Networking: AWS VPC, Azure Virtual Networks
- Documentation: Visio, Lucidchart, Confluence
PROJECTS
- Network Segmentation Overhaul (2022): Redesigned corporate network architecture to implement zero-trust principles, reducing potential attack surface by 68%
- DR Site Implementation (2021): Configured redundant network infrastructure for disaster recovery site with 15-minute failover capability
Senior / Experienced Network Engineer Resume Example
MARCUS J. REYNOLDS
San Diego, CA | (619) 555-0173 | m.reynolds@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/marcusjreynolds
Senior Network Engineer with 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex enterprise network infrastructures. Track record of reducing network downtime by 97% and cutting operational costs by $314K annually through strategic infrastructure upgrades. Adept at leading cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical projects while maintaining network security and reliability.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SENIOR NETWORK ENGINEER | Horizon Technologies | San Diego, CA | 2019 – Present
- Lead a team of 5 network engineers supporting 4,500+ users across 7 global locations with 99.99% uptime
- Spearheaded migration from legacy MPLS to SD-WAN solution, cutting WAN costs by 42% ($237K annually) while improving performance
- Designed and implemented zero-trust network architecture, reducing security incidents by 73% in the first year
- Manage network infrastructure budget of $1.8M, consistently delivering projects under budget (saved $176K in 2022)
- Built automated network monitoring system using Python and Ansible, reducing troubleshooting time from hours to minutes
NETWORK ENGINEER | TechSphere Solutions | Los Angeles, CA | 2016 – 2019
- Maintained and optimized LAN/WAN infrastructure supporting 2,300 users across 3 office locations
- Led data center consolidation project, migrating 78 physical servers to virtualized environment, reducing rack space by 65%
- Implemented Cisco ISE for network access control, strengthening security posture and ensuring regulatory compliance
- Reduced mean time to resolution for network issues by 47% through enhanced monitoring and alert systems
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR | PacWest Financial Group | San Francisco, CA | 2014 – 2016
- Managed day-to-day operations of financial services network serving 1,200+ employees
- Executed network refresh project, replacing 43 end-of-life switches and routers with minimal service disruption
- Configured and maintained firewall rules and VPN connections for secure remote access
- Created detailed network documentation and disaster recovery procedures (my docs were actually used during a power outage!)
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science, Computer Network Engineering
California State University, San Diego – 2014
Certifications:
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise – 2021
- Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core – 2020
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – 2019
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – 2015
- CompTIA Network+ – 2013
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Networking: Cisco IOS/IOS-XE, Juniper JUNOS, Arista EOS, Palo Alto, F5 LTM/GTM, SD-WAN (Viptela, Meraki)
- Security: Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, Zero Trust Architecture, 802.1x, Cisco ISE
- Protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, IPSec, QoS, DNS, DHCP
- Automation: Python, Ansible, Terraform, JSON/YAML, REST APIs
- Monitoring: SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, Wireshark, NetFlow
- Cloud: AWS VPC, Azure Networking, Direct Connect, ExpressRoute
PROJECTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Led disaster recovery test that successfully restored network operations in 27 minutes (vs. 4-hour target)
- Presented “Practical Network Automation” at SoCal NetOps Conference 2022
- Mentored 3 junior engineers who were all promoted within 18 months
How to Write a Network Engineer Resume
Introduction
Writing a resume for a Network Engineer position isn't just about listing your technical skills—it's about showing how you've used those skills to solve real problems. In my 15+ years helping tech professionals land jobs, I've seen firsthand how a well-crafted resume can make the difference between getting an interview or getting overlooked. The competition is fierce (one of my clients competed against 187 other applicants!), so your resume needs to stand out while still checking all the right boxes for both human recruiters and automated systems.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and scannable—most hiring managers spend just 6-8 seconds on their first review. For Network Engineers specifically:
- Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for junior roles, 2 pages max for senior positions)
- Use a simple, professional font like Calibri or Arial at 10-12pt
- Include clear section headings with subtle visual separation
- Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
- Name your file professionally (FirstName_LastName_NetworkEngineer.pdf)
Profile/Summary Section
Your professional summary should be 3-4 lines that highlight your experience level, specialization, and a couple of standout achievements. This isn't where you say what you want—it's where you tell them what you bring to the table.
Pro Tip: Write your summary last! After you've compiled all your experience and achievements, you'll have a much clearer picture of your professional story.
For example, instead of: "Seeking a challenging Network Engineer position where I can utilize my skills..."
Try: "CCNP-certified Network Engineer with 7 years designing and managing enterprise networks for financial institutions. Reduced network downtime by 73% at First Capital Bank through implementation of redundant systems and proactive monitoring solutions."
Professional Experience
This is the meat of your resume. For each role, include:
- Company name, location, and dates (month/year)
- Your exact job title (don't embellish this one)
- 4-6 bullet points per role that focus on accomplishments, not just duties
- Quantifiable results whenever possible (numbers grab attention)
- Network-specific problems you solved and their impact
Start each bullet with a strong action verb like "Implemented," "Configured," or "Troubleshot" (yep, that's actually the past tense). And please, for the love of bandwidth, don't just list technologies—show how you used them!
Education and Certifications
For Network Engineers, certifications often carry more weight than formal education. List your newest certs first, followed by education. Include:
- All relevant certifications (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, CompTIA Network+, etc.)
- Certification date or expiration date (if current)
- Degree, institution, graduation year
- Relevant coursework only if you're early in your career
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Include relevant technical terms from the job description (TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, VLANs, VPNs)
- Mention specific hardware you've worked with (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto)
- List protocols and technologies you know (don't abbreviate everything—spell out some terms)
- Don't try to trick the system with invisible text or keyword stuffing—they're getting smarter
Industry-specific Terms
Network engineering has its own language. Make sure to naturally incorporate relevant terms like:
- Network architecture and topologies
- Routing protocols (EIGRP, OSPF, BGP)
- Security implementations (firewalls, IDS/IPS)
- Virtualization technologies
- Troubleshooting methodologies
- Performance monitoring tools
Common Mistakes
I've reviewed thousands of Network Engineer resumes, and these missteps pop up constantly:
- Listing every technology you've ever touched (focus on relevant ones)
- Being too vague about network sizes ("large networks" vs. "500-node multi-site network")
- Forgetting to mention soft skills (communication is crucial in this field!)
- Including outdated technologies as primary skills
- Using too much jargon without showing business impact
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for network maintenance and troubleshooting issues."
After: "Reduced mean time to resolution for network incidents by 46% by implementing automated troubleshooting scripts and creating a comprehensive knowledge base of common failure scenarios."
The difference? The second version shows the value you delivered, not just what you were supposed to do. That's what gets you interviews—and job offers.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Network Engineer resume
- Clear technical communication – able to translate complex network issues into understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders
- Crisis management under pressure – maintained composure during 3 major network outages while coordinating cross-functional response teams
- Collaborative troubleshooting – partnered effectively with server teams, application developers, and security specialists to resolve multi-layer problems
- Project coordination – organized and led 4 network refresh initiatives across regional sites
- Mentorship capabilities – guided 2 junior engineers through CCNP certification process while managing regular workload
- Adaptability with emerging technologies – quickly learned and implemented SD-WAN solutions despite minimal formal training
Hard skills for your Network Engineer resume
- Cisco IOS/NX-OS configuration and troubleshooting
- BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP routing protocol implementation
- Palo Alto and Fortinet firewall administration
- Python scripting for network automation (5+ years)
- SD-WAN deployment and management (Cisco Viptela, VMware VeloCloud)
- AWS and Azure network architecture design
- Wireshark packet analysis and network traffic monitoring
- CCNP certification (renewed 2023)
- IPv6 migration planning and implementation