Principal Network Engineer

Company: Nevada System of Higher Education
Location: Greenwood
Posted on: January 2, 2026

Job Description:

Principal Network Engineer Thank you for your interest in employment with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), System Administration and System Computing Services. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application: Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our Human Resources department at (775) 784-4901. Job Description The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Principal Network Engineer. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Director of Infrastructure Services. The position may be located in Reno, Nevada. The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions : two universities, a state college, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant challenges and opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees. The Principal Network Engineer is responsible for the architecture, ongoing development, troubleshooting, and maintenance of SCS's highly available and secure state-wide network, known as NevadaNet. This network supports academic research at Nevada's leading research universities as well as statewide connectivity for community anchors and other state or public institutions. Incumbents perform a wide range of work at the highest level of complexity utilizing sophisticated economic and technical analysis, design, installation, testing, maintenance and troubleshooting connectivity hardware and software associated with the SCS NevadaNet network, including routers, switches, fiber optic long haul transport and distribution equipment, firewalls, servers, racks, cabling and power. The incumbent also provides the highest-level data and video network engineering, operations and security support services to NevadaNet constituents as required. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of data and video communication network design and maintenance in a large-scale networking environment and must exercise sound judgment within established guidelines. SALARY: *This position offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the candidate's education, experience, and certification/training. In addition to base salary, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Comprehensive Health Insurance : includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included. Outstanding Retirement Plan : professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan. Paid Leave : generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave. Education Benefit : employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit. Faculty may take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate and their dependents may access an unlimited number of credits, if they meet specific criteria. Additional Perks : Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities. *Pursuant NSHE Policy : "Initial placement must fall between the minimum salary and Q2/median/mid-range on the applicable salary schedule." To view the salary range for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty, Grade D. APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: March 1, 2026 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree in computer science or related field with eight (8) years of relevant experience is preferred. Alternatively, twelve (12) or more years of direct experience in the position's primary areas of expertise for a multi-user, complex enterprise may be substituted. PREFERANCE: Experience in higher education is preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES : Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities. It is recommended that applicants for this position address each of the following items in the letter of application: Expertise in communicating information on standards, security, protocols and other issues related to network functioning to technical staff and non-technical stakeholders. Experience leading individuals and teams, formally or informally. Experience designing, planning, testing, installing, tuning, and managing complex environments in highly available and redundant configurations. Experience performing in-depth research and troubleshooting across multiple IT disciplinary areas to identify, resolve, and prevent performance issues and errors. Experience in creating and maintaining project-related documentation, diagrams, testing plans, and deployment plans. Experience reviewing and producing procedure and policy documentation and support materials for both internal and external audiences. Experience working in a business-critical environment. Technical Knowledge: Extensive experience in IP wide area data network design, equipment installation, operation, troubleshooting/problem resolution, testing, monitoring and maintenance. In-depth experience with Cisco networking devices such as switches, routers, and optical transport equipment. Extensive experience in the implementation and management of moderately complex LANs and WANs using IP routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF. Extensive experience in the deployment and management of network security technologies such as access lists, firewalls, and DDoS detection. Extensive experience in creating and maintaining project-related documentation, network diagrams, testing plans, and deployment plans. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, creativity, verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the demonstrated ability to be a productive team member. Researching and providing in-depth analysis related to new technologies, tools, and methodologies. Microsoft Visio, Word, and Excel. Network bandwidth capacity/availability planning and reporting. Skilled in providing leadership through effective problem solving. Skilled at working with people at various levels of the organization and representing SCS with the highest level of professionalism, customer service, and courtesy. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Skilled in developing and presenting innovative and effective ideas. Skilled in various types of reporting and analytical tools. Strong analysis and problem-solving skills. Project/Resource management principles. Ability to develop and lead a productive, collaborative, and effective team in a complex and remote organizational environment. Ability to provide guidance and feedback constructively and function well in a team environment. Ability and interest to learn new techniques, tools, and methodologies related to information systems. Ability to learn new systems and business processes quickly. Ability to prioritize, plan, and manage tasks. Ability to present and explain complex technical topics, problems, alternative solutions to others. Ability to plan, develop, and lead initiatives in alignment with NSHE goals and strategic plans. Ability to supervise technical network personnel. Ability to troubleshoot and solve complex network issues. RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to: Collaborate with SCS and NSHE technical colleagues as changes and new system functions evolve. Assist the Director with strategic planning, resource planning, budget management, and tracking team performance. Maintain strong relationships with SCS, institutions, and NSHE System leadership. Act as Project Lead for large, cross-disciplinary and multi-faceted enhancement projects. Provide input to fiscal budgets, project budgets, and negotiations with vendors. Serve as the Acting Director when the Director is unavailable. Design, procure, install, configure, test, and perform diagnostic and preventive maintenance activities in support of NSHE wide area and data center network operations. Collaborate with network end user for the purpose of assessing and implementing ongoing customer network requirements. Monitor NSHE video/voice/data performance to ensure overall network quality, availability, and security. Supervise network engineering staff. Research and evaluate new solutions, best practices, utilities, methodologies, and management products. Coordinate communication and engagement for timely resolution and support of tickets. Manage the network equipment inventory and maintenance contracts. Document network topology, asset inventories, customer and vendor service agreements. Maintain administrative, technical, or historical documentation. Monitor and evaluate employee performance. Set and model high standard for performance. Direct goals. Coach and correct poor performance. Recommend disciplinary action when needed. Oversee recruitment and recommend hiring decisions. Train and delegate tasks to team members. Manage the team's workload and ensure staff are trained to provide adequate support for the various systems and services for which the team is responsible. Provide appropriate training and guidance for technical staff and management, including staff at NSHE institutions when appropriate. Create development plans to grow the necessary expertise within the team. Other related duties as assigned TO APPLY: The application process will be handled through the Workday on-line search process. Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted. Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience, since the initial review will serve to evaluate applicants based on documented, relevant qualifications and professional work experience. Applications will be considered incomplete without all requested materials. References will only be contacted for those who advance to the final phase of the search and with prior consent of the applicant. The review of materials will begin immediately. Materials should be addressed to Stephanie Flatt, Senior Human Resources Generalist, and are to be submitted via on-line application at https://nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/departments/human-resources/careers/ For assistance with NSHE's on-line applicant portal, contact Stephanie Flatt at (775) 784-4901. INTERNAL APPLICANTS : Current employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education MUST use the "Find Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at NSHE institutions. Once you log into Workday and type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate the specific job posting by typing the requisition number (e.g. R0000000) in the search box APPLICATION DEADLINE : Applications may be submitted until the position is filled. The review of materials will begin immediately, however, for full consideration applications should be submitted by January 4, 2025. For more information about the Nevada System of Higher Education, please visit our website at www.nevada.edu. The Nevada System of Higher Education hires only United States citizens and non-citizen lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. The NSHE is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Exempt Yes Full-Time Equivalent 100.0% Required Attachment(s) Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and names, email addresses and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted. Posting Close Date Note to Applicant A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. To apply, visit https://nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/NSHE-external/job/System-Computing-ServicesNorth/Principal-Network-Engineer_R0150081?workerSubType=dddb2e55fbdf014cc806bd19c034ed08 Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-bc25d07facda644db157a5d61719207e

Keywords: Nevada System of Higher Education, Eau Claire , Principal Network Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , Greenwood, Wisconsin