Senior Network Engineer and Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Connecticut Education Network (CEN), operated through the University of Connecticut s (UConn )Information Technology Services (ITS), is seeking a highly skilled and motivated network professional to join our dynamic Network Services team. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of networking technology, supporting a Tier 2 service-provider network that delivers critical services across Connecticut including Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), MPLS VPNs, managed firewalls, hosted DNS, content filtering, internet exchange peering, content caching, and more. As a technical expert, you will play a vital role in bridging operational support between the engineering team and connected sites statewide. Ideal candidates are independent thinkers who thrive in both individual and team settings, exercise sound judgment, and possess the ability to understand and evaluate complex, interrelated network systems. If you're passionate about networking and eager to make a meaningful impact in Connecticut s education, research, healthcare, governmental, and non-profit communities, we invite you to apply and become part of our innovative and collaborative environment.

CEN offers a challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding environment where incumbents will grow professionally while advancing the CEN mission, vision, values, business, and brand. The CEN office is located at 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT. As a team aligned under UConn, this position offers great work/life balance and an excellent benefits package.

UConn has been named the top public university in New England for over a decade and is ranked among the top public universities in the nation. The University is also a Carnegie Foundation Research University; a prestigious honor shared by only the nation's top higher education institutions.

SALARY

$101,343 to $131,746; final salary will be based on the successful candidate's background and experience.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Defined contribution with employer match or defined benefit program retirement options
• Excellent and affordable healthcare options
• 35-hour work week
• 22 paid vacation days per year, in addition to paid sick leave and 13 paid holidays
• Annual merit increase program
• Employee and dependent tuition waivers
• A highly desirable work environment and work-life balance

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a senior-level expert in network engineering, you will lead the design, implementation, and strategic development of the Connecticut Education Network (CEN), supporting a robust carrier grade IP/MPLS infrastructure. Your responsibilities will include:

• Build: Network Architecture & Strategy
  • Design and implement complex physical and logical network systems aligned with organizational goals.
  • Lead long-range planning for architecture, capacity, and security.
  • Provide engineering plans, detailed diagrams, implementation specifications, and materials quotes.
  • Develop network architecture to support evolving services and constituent needs.
• Run: Operations & Incident Management
  • Serve as the final internal escalation point for network incidents, outages, and service requests.
  • Lead outage resolution and post-incident reporting with detailed root cause analysis.
  • Ensure high availability and performance of services including DIA, MPLS VPNs, DNS, firewalls, and content filtering.
  • Plan and conduct software/firmware upgrades.
• Grow: Capacity planning
  • Conduct software/hardware lifecycle management.
  • Quarterly capacity planning.
  • Network failure analysis.
• Repeat & Test: Automation & Optimization
  • Develop and deploy advanced automation scripts and software to streamline operations and telemetry.
  • Perform system tuning, upgrades, and proactive optimizations to ensure efficiency and scalability.
  • Ensure config standardization and minimize drift.
  • Conduct device level testing with Ixia, identify software defects, behavior anomalies.
• Project & Business Development
  • Provide project management support for customer provisioning and network expansions.
  • Collaborate with business units and leadership to develop new services and support customer engagement.
  • Contribute to procurement processes through technical specifications and vendor coordination.
• Leadership & Mentorship
  • Supervise and mentor junior staff, fostering professional development and cross-team competency.
  • Document and disseminate best engineering practices across University, College, K-12, and Library participants.
  • Represent CEN on advisory boards, councils, and forums as needed.
• Security & Compliance
  • Maintain and test network security protocols in alignment with industry best practices.
  • Lead business continuity and disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution.
• Documentation & Asset Management
  • Maintain accurate records of fiber assets, equipment inventory, and network documentation.
  • Provide reports on network behavior, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Community Engagement & Support
  • Support virtual and physical events, presentations, and training sessions for peers and the broader CEN community.
  • Travel within Connecticut and to POP locations in NYC, BOS, SPRING is required; a valid driver s license is necessary.
• Perform other related duties as required.

RELATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving: Demonstrates sound analytic and diagnostic skills dealing with issues that are defined and/or where information is available but must be further manipulated. Once decisions are made, will follow and direct action to implement intended results. Breaks a problem down to manageable pieces and implements effective, timely solutions. Openly and directly confronts issues until resolved.
• Team Orientation: Builds relationships with peers and other departments to achieve objectives. Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Puts success of team above self. Responsibilities are assigned with some latitude for setting priorities and decision-making using established policies and procedures. Results are reviewed with next-level team lead/manager for clarification and direction before proceeding.
• Productivity, Planning, and Time Management: Is proficient in office productivity software such as O365 suite, MS Teams, Google Apps, etc. for collaboration, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, e-mail etc. Works with the project or team lead in identifying those tasks that are most important, establishes clear priorities and understands the larger picture. Executes tasks and creates documentation as required.
• Physical Demands: This position involves extended periods of sitting and the extensive use of computers and office equipment. May involve stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or working on step ladders. Involves close vision, color vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. to shoulder height and must have a valid license and ability to drive.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree and 6 years of directly related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. 2 years experience as the network lead or senior engineer in support of a large-scale network.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of BGP, IS-IS, IPv6, OSPF, MPLS, Traffic Engineering, QinQ, G.8032, 802.3ad, 802.3ag, Y.1731
4. Demonstrated understanding of VPN technologies such as L2VPNs (Martini, Kompella), RFC2547, VPLS, EVPN.
5. Experience leveraging VRFs in complex network environments.
6. Proven experience in providing high profile outage resolution and post incident reviews.
7. Demonstrated written communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor s Degree or higher in a STEM field or related to computer networking.
2. CCNP or JNCP or higher certification, with preference in Service Provider track.
3. Demonstrated ability to write specifications, document existing and planned systems.
4. Experience in IP and Carrier Ethernet technologies, with a proven track record managing complex network infrastructures in service provider or multi-tenant environments.
5. Proven familiarity with Metro Ethernet products & solutions as defined by MEF.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of LINUX OS derivatives and shell programming with PERL, Python, PHP, and MySQL.
7. Demonstrated familiarity with optical OTN/DWDM/ROADM transport systems.
8. Experience with test and traffic generation equipment (Spirent, IXIA etc.)
9. Experience developing and/or maintaining emergency/incident response plans.
10. Experience in outside plant fiber optic cabling systems and design.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full time, end-dated position with the potential for renewal. The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate s background and experience. For additional information regarding benefits visit:

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

For additional information about the University visit: and for detailed position information and the job description visit: .

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at , Faculty and Staff Positions, Reference Search #499195. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, a resume that demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications you may have for this position, and a list of contact information, including phone numbers, for three professional references.

This job posting is anticipated to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on October 17, 2025.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.