As a network engineer, you'll need to:

• establish the networking environment by designing system configuration, directing system installation and defining, documenting and enforcing system standards
• design and implement new solutions and improve resilience of the current environment
• maximise network performance by monitoring performance, troubleshooting network problems and outages, scheduling upgrades and collaborating with network architects on network optimisation
• undertake data network fault investigations in local and wide area environments using information from multiple sources
• secure network systems by establishing and enforcing policies, and defining and monitoring access
• support and administer firewall environments in line with IT security policy
• report network operational status by gathering and prioritising information and managing projects
• upgrade data network equipment to the latest stable firmware releases
• configure routing and switching equipment, hosted IP voice services and firewalls
• provide remote support to on-site engineers and end users/customers during installation
• provide remote troubleshooting and fault finding if issues occur upon initial installation
• undertake capacity management and audit of IP addressing and hosted devices within data centres
• liaise with project management teams, third-line engineers and service desk engineers on a regular basis
• speak to customers via email and phone for initial requirement capture.

Your role will depend to a certain extent on the sector you work in and the size of your organisation. For example, in a large investment bank you may have specific responsibility for one area of the system, whereas in a small company you may need to troubleshoot for any IT-related problem that arises.