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 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 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, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 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 WKU's 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 /about .

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 University's 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…