Network engineer

A network engineer designs, builds, and maintains the networks that connect an organization's computers, devices, and services. They plan network architecture, configure routers, switches, and firewalls, optimize performance and security, monitor traffic, and troubleshoot connectivity problems that can bring work to a halt.

The role demands deep knowledge of networking protocols, hardware, and security, and increasingly of cloud and software-defined networking. Network engineers work across industries and at service providers.

The job suits methodical, detail-oriented people who enjoy the logic of how data moves and can diagnose elusive problems in systems where everything depends on everything else staying connected.