How to Be Principal Network Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 17, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The Principal Network Engineer plays a vital role in the successful operationalization of a computer network. By designing and implementing network architectures, they ensure the network is reliable, effective, and efficient. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the entire organization, allowing for improved communication and collaboration among teams, enhanced customer experience, and increased productivity.

Furthermore, the Principal Network Engineer is responsible for maintaining the security of the network, helping to protect the organization from malicious actors or other cyber threats. Finally, their oversight of the network infrastructure allows for updated technology to be integrated, ensuring the organization is always up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. To become a Principal Network Engineer, you'll need to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Earn a Relevant Certification. Relevant certifications can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your knowledge and skills in network engineering to potential employers. Some certifications include Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and CompTIA Network+.
Gain Work Experience. With your degree and certification in hand, you'll need to gain at least five years of professional experience in network engineering to qualify for a principal position. During this time, you should focus on developing strong problem-solving and leadership skills.
Advance Your Career. Once you have the necessary experience, you can apply for jobs as a principal network engineer. You may also be able to move up in your current organization if there are opportunities for advancement.
Pursue Continued Education. To stay up to date on the latest technologies and trends in the field, consider pursuing additional certifications and attending industry conferences and workshops.

The importance of keeping up to date and capable as a Network Engineer is paramount in order to ensure the smooth running of a network. It is essential to stay abreast of the latest technology and trends in order to understand potential solutions and how they can be applied to existing networks. Regularly attending industry events, reading professional publications and networking with other professionals are all good ways to stay informed.

Furthermore, staying certified, taking online courses and completing hands-on practice in a lab environment can help to hone existing skills and allows for the acquisition of new ones. By taking these steps, a Network Engineer can remain up-to-date on the latest trends, technologies, and approaches which in turn can provide a competitive edge and ensure the network remains secure, reliable, and efficient.

You may want to check Principal Program Manager, Principal Business Systems Analyst, and Principal Supply Chain Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Design, install, configure and maintain complex network systems.
Monitor and analyze system performance and troubleshoot issues.
Develop and implement security measures to secure the network, including firewalls, encryption and authentication protocols.
Research and evaluate new networking technologies and recommend upgrades.
Manage daily operations of the network, including patch management, user access control, security and system maintenance.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
Prepare reports and document network infrastructure.
Assist in the development of policies and procedures for network operations.
Develop and maintain relationships with vendors for support services.
Monitor and analyze network traffic to detect anomalies or malicious activity.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Hands-on experience in network engineering, including configuring and troubleshooting switch, router, and firewall systems
Knowledge of routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP
Proficiency in using network management tools like Wireshark, Snort, and SolarWinds
Experience with network security protocols like IPSec and TLS/SSL
Ability to design and implement secure network architecture solutions
Strong communication and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of cloud-based networking technologies like SDN and NFV
Understanding of networked application protocols like HTTP, FTP, and DNS
Familiarity with network monitoring and optimization tools such as Splunk and NetFlow
Aptitude for scripting languages like Python and PowerShell

Having strong technical skills is essential for a Principal Network Engineer, as they are responsible for creating, managing, and maintaining all aspects of a network infrastructure. A deep understanding of network protocols and hardware components is essential to ensure that the network is secure and reliable. Comprehensive knowledge of routing protocols and switching technologies are also important in order to successfully design, configure and implement high-performance networks.

Furthermore, a good problem-solving ability is necessary as Principal Network Engineers are often required to troubleshoot complex network issues. Finally, communication skills are also necessary in order to collaborate with colleagues, vendors, and customers. All of these skills combined make a Principal Network Engineer a valuable asset to an organization.

Principal Database Administrator, Principal Systems Administrator, and Principal IT Service Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the network engineering field?
What experience do you have in designing, implementing and troubleshooting complex data networks?
Describe a complex network project youve managed from start to finish.
How do you stay on top of the latest technologies and trends in the field?
How do you manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines?
How would you approach diagnosing and troubleshooting an issue on a data network?
Describe a time when you had to quickly resolve a network performance issue.
What strategies do you use to ensure the security of a network?
Describe your experience in developing and maintaining documentation for data networks.
What have been some of your biggest successes as a network engineer?

Common Tools in Industry

Network Monitoring Software. This software provides the ability to monitor and analyze traffic across a network, including performance metrics and security alerts. (eg: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor)
Network Security Software. This software provides a comprehensive suite of security tools to protect networks from malicious attacks and unauthorized access. (eg: McAfee Network Security Platform)
Configuration Management Tools. These tools enable network engineers to manage, monitor, and control changes to network configurations. (eg: Puppet Enterprise)
Network Automation Tools. These tools automate manual tasks, such as provisioning and configuration, to reduce the amount of time and effort spent managing networks. (eg: Ansible)
Network Troubleshooting Tools. These tools help network engineers identify and diagnose issues with networks and their components. (eg: Wireshark)
Network Analysis Tools. These tools provide insights into how networks are performing, including network usage, throughput, and latency. (eg: Nagios Network Analyzer)

Professional Organizations to Know

IEEE Computer Society
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Networking Association (INA)
Internet Society (ISOC)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Network Professional Association (NPA)
Institute of Network Professionals (INP)

We also have Principal IT Auditor, Principal Network Designer, and Principal Business Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Network Topology. The physical and logical layout of a network, including the number of nodes, connections, and types of connections used.
Network Security. The process of protecting a network from unauthorized access, misuse, or damage.
Network Protocols. Standards for communication between devices on a network, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi.
Networking Devices. Hardware components used to connect computers and other devices to a network, such as routers, switches, and access points.
Subnetting. The process of dividing a network into multiple subnetworks, allowing for more efficient routing of traffic.
Network Monitoring. The process of collecting data about a network and its performance, in order to identify issues and improve efficiency.
Quality of Service (QoS). A set of techniques used to ensure the quality and performance of network traffic, such as prioritizing certain types of traffic over others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed to be a Principal Network Engineer?

Generally, a Principal Network Engineer will have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, as well as at least 10 years of experience in network engineering.

What core responsibilities does a Principal Network Engineer have?

A Principal Network Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing network solutions, managing network security systems, troubleshooting network issues, and providing technical support to clients.

How do Principal Network Engineers ensure network security?

Principal Network Engineers use a variety of security tools and techniques to protect networks from threats such as malware, viruses, hackers, and other cyber attacks. This may include utilizing firewalls, encryption technologies, and authentication protocols.

What type of communication skills are important for Principal Network Engineers?

Principal Network Engineers must be able to effectively communicate with various stakeholders such as clients, colleagues, and IT support staff. They must also be able to explain technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

What is the expected salary for a Principal Network Engineer?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Principal Network Engineer is $121,221 per year in the United States. Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.

Web Resources

Military Fellowship Principal Network Engineer Career Center ... careers.usc.edu
The Many Roles of Network Engineers | SMU Lyle Online MSNE lyleonline.smu.edu
The Principals' Network | Harvard Graduate School of Education www.gse.harvard.edu