Senior Network Engineer

General Summary:

The Senior Network Engineer is accountable for delivering reliable, secure, resilient, and continuously improving enterprise networking services that enable the Universitys academic, research, administrative, and student success mission.

As a senior technical member of Information Technology Services, this position designs, implements, operates, secures, and modernizes the Universitys enterprise networking environment. The role combines strategic engineering with hands-on technical expertise to ensure the Universitys physical and logical network infrastructure remains secure, scalable, highly available, and prepared to support future institutional needs.

The successful candidate is expected to maintain expertise in current and emerging networking technologies while continuously evaluating opportunities to improve reliability, security, automation, operational efficiency, and the overall customer experience.

Examples of Duties:

Primary Responsibilities

Enterprise Network Engineering

Design, implement, operate, and continuously improve the Universitys enterprise networking infrastructure supporting academic, research, residential, BMS and administrative environments.

Responsibilities include enterprise networking across the full communications stack, including physical communications infrastructure (Layer 1), campus LAN and WAN services, enterprise routing and switching, wireless networking, data center networking, Internet connectivity, and hybrid cloud networking. The position supports technologies such as OSPF, BGP, EVPN/VXLAN, IPv4/IPv6, network segmentation, resiliency, and high availability while maintaining flexibility to adopt emerging enterprise networking technologies as the Universitys needs evolve.

Enterprise Connectivity & Security

Engineer secure, resilient connectivity across campus, cloud, IoT and research environments by partnering with cybersecurity, enterprise applications, research computing, and external providers.

This includes Zero Trust networking, Network Access Control (NAC), secure remote access, firewall integration, hybrid cloud connectivity, identity-aware networking, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, UMassNet, Internet2, and other strategic technology partners.

Engineering Excellence

Improve the Universitys networking environment through sound engineering practices, automation, lifecycle management, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Leverage scripting, APIs, Infrastructure as Code, monitoring, observability, AI-assisted operations, and engineering standards to reduce technical debt, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen service reliability.

Technical Leadership

Provide technical leadership for enterprise networking initiatives by leading complex implementations, mentoring colleagues, evaluating emerging technologies, developing engineering standards, and collaborating across Information Technology Services and the broader University community.

Decision-Making Authority

The Senior Network Engineer exercises independent technical judgment in the planning, design, implementation, operation, and continuous improvement of enterprise networking services.

Within established ITS governance, this position is expected to:

• Make technical decisions regarding enterprise networking infrastructure. Recommend engineering standards, lifecycle investments, and modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption where appropriate.
• Lead technical decision-making during major projects and critical incidents.
• Balance innovation, operational stability, security, maintainability, and customer experience when making engineering decisions.

Work Environment, Schedule & Physical Requirements

This is primarily an on-site engineering position requiring regular engagement throughout the Universitys campuses. While limited remote work may be available in accordance with University policy and operational needs, the essential functions of this position require frequent hands-on work within the Universitys physical technology environment.

The successful candidate will regularly:

• Work in telecommunications rooms (MDFs/IDFs), data centers, classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, residence halls, and other campus facilities.
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise networking infrastructure.
• Participate in construction, renovation, infrastructure modernization, and lifecycle replacement projects.
• Coordinate with Facilities, contractors, telecommunications providers, vendors, and campus partners.
• Support planned maintenance windows, emergency response activities, and critical infrastructure deployments.
• Collaborate with other IT partners on a variety of projects, planning and troubleshooting of campus critical technology infrastructure.

The position also requires:

• Ability to lift, carry, and install equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to climb ladders, work in confined spaces, and safely perform physical infrastructure work.
• Valid drivers license (or the ability to lawfully operate a University vehicle) and the ability to travel between University locations as operational needs require.
• Participation in evening, overnight, weekend, emergency, and on-call activities as operational needs require.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience designing, implementing, operating, or supporting complex enterprise networking environments.
• Demonstrated experience with enterprise networking technologies, including routing, switching, wireless networking, physical communications infrastructure, and network security.
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, operating, and troubleshooting Aruba enterprise networking environments, including Aruba wired and wireless platforms, Aruba Central and/or AirWave, and ClearPass for network access control and policy enforcement.
• Experience with modern enterprise routing technologies such as OSPF, BGP, EVPN/VXLAN, or comparable networking architectures.
• Experience supporting enterprise LAN, WAN, cloud, or hybrid networking environments.
• Experience with automation through scripting, APIs, Infrastructure as Code, or comparable technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives, communicate effectively, and collaborate across technical and nontechnical teams.
• Ability to perform the essential work environment, schedule, travel, and physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting higher education, research computing, healthcare, or another complex enterprise environment.
• Experience with Cisco, Juniper, or comparable enterprise platforms is also valued.
• Experience with research and education networks such as UMassNet or Internet2.
• Professional certifications or equivalent demonstrated experience in enterprise networking.
• Experience leading infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Experience mentoring junior staff members in various technology capacities.

Supervision Received:

The Senior Network Engineer reports to the Director of Network Services and exercises substantial independent judgment in carrying out assigned technical, operational, and project responsibilities.

Supervision Exercised:

The Senior Network Engineer does not normally exercise direct supervision but may provide technical leadership, functional direction, mentoring, or project coordination to other employees, consultants, contractors, and student staff.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 34

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.