Network engineer
Digital
Level 4 -
Designing, installing, maintaining and supporting communication networks within an organisation or between organisations.
Reference: OCC0127
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2137/00 IT network professionals
- 2133/04 IT systems architects
- 2133/99 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers n.e.c.
- 3131/02 Network and systems administrators
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
IBM, Accenture, BA, BT, Capgemini, Cisco, Fujitsu, HP, John Lewis, Lloyds, Microsoft, NCA, The Royal Signals, Telefonica, The Test Factory, Virgin Media, Visa, BCS - Chartered Institute of IT
Summary
This occupation is found in large and small businesses, in all sectors, and within public, private, and voluntary organisations. Network Engineers are a key occupation in most organisations which are increasingly dependent on their digital networks.
Organisations of all types are increasingly applying digital technologies across all their business functions to maximise productivity. Large organisations will have sophisticated complex systems whilst smaller consultancies offer support to clients on a contract basis.
For example, a Network Engineer may work within a network of hotels to ensure that the booking system functionality and performance is maintained and customer access to courtesy systems such as Wi-Fi are managed appropriately for performance.
In a large infrastructure project, a Network Engineer may work in a team to ensure that significant project milestones are reached in delivering network services both within the project and by servicing the project teams with reliable network capability to enable them to deliver that project successfully.
Large communications organisations use Network Engineers to service world-leading global networks at the cutting edge - adapting and evolving with changes to new technologies to give customers the very best digital experience from delivering major communications installations to monitoring nationwide networks.
The demand for people who can manage, build, maintain virtual and physical networks is increasing. This is because of technological developments such as, 5G and Cloud. The broad purpose of the occupation is to install computer networks, maintain them, and offer technical support to users where necessary.
A Network Engineer provides networks and systems to deliver the objectives of varied organisations. They will make sure that systems are working at optimum capacity and problem solve where they are not. To be able to do this effectively a Network Engineer must interpret technical information and understand organisational requirements and expectations. They support delivery of legislatively compliant solutions to challenges in network and infrastructure.
Network Engineers deal with both hardware and software issues. They are a key part of putting things right quickly when networks fail, and they communicate problems that they have identified with network integrity or performance rapidly to ensure service is resumed and downtime minimised. Network Engineers help customers both technical and non-technical to install computer networks, maintain them, and offer technical support to users where necessary.
Network Engineers can be customer facing or internal. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with management within organisations, team members, staff, clients, customers, and suppliers. They may interact face to face or remotely by using a range of technologies. They may be working independently or collaboratively as part of a team. They will be aware of their organisational escalation routes and understand their role in their team.
The work of a Network Engineer is office-based, although they may need to work across different sites depending on the size of the organisation and their network. When working as a consultant a Network Engineer may spend a lot of time at clients' offices and on large installations, which may mean spending time away from home or their usual work base.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
IBM, Accenture, BA, BT, Capgemini, Cisco, Fujitsu, HP, John Lewis, Lloyds, Microsoft, NCA, The Royal Signals, Telefonica, The Test Factory, Virgin Media, Visa, BCS - Chartered Institute of IT
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Install, configure, and test appropriate network components or devices securely to well-defined specifications whether physical or virtual
Duty D2
Acquire and analyse network performance data to monitor network activity
Duty D3
Optimise and maintain the performance of network systems or services in line with well-defined specification whether physical or virtual
Duty D4
Investigate and problem solve to address technical performance issues in networks to return the network to successful operation and escalate as necessary
Duty D5
Undertake upgrades to a network including physical or virtual systems
Duty D6
Interpret written requirements and technical specifications in relation to delivery of network systems and services
Duty D7
Maintain accurate logical records in line within organisational policy when carrying out network tasks
Duty D8
Use operational data to manage weekly work schedule in an efficient and cost effective way
Duty D9
Consider the impact and risks when implementing network changes in line with work activities and escalating as required by organisational policies
Duty D10
Communicate technical network requirements effectively and professionally with a range of stakeholders ensuring stakeholder relationships are maintained
Duty D11
Practice continuous self-learning to keep up to date with technological developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development
Duty D12
Incorporate considerations of the requirements of the wider digital context in which they operate to ensure that network engineering activities are carried out effectively
Duty D13
Ensure all network engineering activity complies with organisational policies, technical standards, Health and Safety legislation, data security requirements, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality
Duty D14
Deliver and manage a high quality service under pressure
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Technical Occupations
Levels 2-3
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Levels 4-5
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