Network Systems Research Engineer, Levels III, IV, Sr I

This position is part of the Texas A&M University System, one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, encompassing 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth, and the Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus. The System Offices supports the mission of providing education, conducting research, commercializing technology, offering training, and delivering services for the people of Texas and beyond.

About the role

The Network Systems Research Engineer (Levels III, IV, or Senior I) conducts and supports basic and applied research on networks and networked applications under general direction. This role leverages knowledge of existing networks to design, implement, and test innovative solutions for new and emerging challenges in next-generation networks. Responsibilities include supporting research initiatives, serving as a subject matter expert, and contributing to network design, security, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Research Proposals (5%)
  • Conduct evaluation and analysis of technical approaches to research opportunities.
  • Research and evaluate equipment, protocols, designs, procedures, and tools to address research requirements.
  • Produce network designs and other technical aspects of research proposal submissions.
• Network Design and Documentation (15%)
  • Establish standards and plans for new or upgraded research networks.
  • Collect and evaluate input from researchers, systems administrators, contractors, and vendors to develop specifications, requirements, and plans.
  • Design activities for network research projects and recommend research network designs.
  • Establish standards and processes for detailing network engineering designs, planning, mapping methods, procedures, and repairs.
  • Design research network system security measures, configuration backup, and security methods.
• Network Configuration, Installation, and Testing (20%)
  • Collaborate with the research team to develop work plans and time schedules, including phases, personnel, and networking requirements.
  • Establish standards for new technology deployments and research network integration and interoperability testing.
  • Configure, install, and test research networks.
  • Test methods and plans to certify sophisticated research networking projects to required installation design standards.
• Network Research, Operations, and Support (20%)
  • Establish protocols and processes for problem management and support.
  • Provide Tier I, II, and III support for network issues and assist the research team with other support issues.
  • Perform diagnostics and repair of complex hardware and software problems.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of established processes and protocols.
  • Establish procedures for compliance with network security regulations.
  • Perform security assessments and audits to ensure compliance with government standards.
  • Design and implement security measures, data backup, and protection methods.
  • Develop disaster recovery plans for network equipment and systems.
  • Travel to other locations on campus, other campuses, and vendor sites for meetings and to assist with research network installation and operations.
  • Support researchers with gathering data, such as packet captures, for research projects.
• Research Project Presentations and Reporting (15%)
  • Contribute to the preparation of monthly/quarterly updates for project sponsors.
  • Present monthly/quarterly project updates to sponsors.
  • Collect technical updates for monthly/quarterly reports.
  • Collaborate with the research team to define the contents of project deliverable reports.
  • Collect data and artifacts needed for project reporting.
  • Assist with the preparation of project deliverables, reports, and presentations for sponsors and industry symposia.
• Training and Development (10%)
  • Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices.
  • Engage in ongoing training and development to enhance technical skills and knowledge in research computing engineering.
• Supervision and Training (10%)
  • Provide technical leadership to student teams.
  • Lead, motivate, develop, and coach Graduate Assistants and Student Technicians.
  • Model ethical, regulatory, and performance standards.
  • Promote open sharing of information, dedication to the team’s mission, customer commitment, collaboration, and cooperation.
  • Participate in training and professional development with an emphasis on leadership, management, industry acumen, and project/operations management.
  • Conduct professional development trainings for team members.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Qualifications

• Network Systems Research Engineer III
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Six years of network/wireless networking related experience.
• Network Systems Research Engineer IV
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Eight years of network/wireless networking related experience.
• Senior Network Systems Research Engineer I
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Nine years of network/wireless networking related experience.

Skills

• LANs and L2 switching (copper, fiber, WiFi, VLANs, spanning tree).
• IP networking and L3 switching/routing (IP subnetting, direct, static, and dynamic routing).
• Supporting services (DHCP, NTP, DNS).
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications for producing professional-quality proposals and documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work digitally (paperless) using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), Adobe, and other tools.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work outside normal office hours.
• Ability to install/remove equipment such as servers, switches, radios, and antennas in racks, on walls, or mounted on poles.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• IT certifications in Networking, Network Security, Juniper, Cisco, or other routing and security categories.
• Network Technology Monitoring (SNMP, logging).
• Network security (firewalls, NAT/PAT).

Other Requirements

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Passport and travel domestically and internationally.
• Ability to obtain Secret-level U.S. security clearance based on a background investigation.
• This position requires the ability to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:
  • Sit or stand for extended periods.
  • Walk and use a step stool.
  • Climb ladders to reach radio locations.
• Work is generally performed in an environmentally controlled office space, but occasional outdoor activities may be required, involving exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
• This is a security-sensitive position restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Defined benefit retirement plan with employer contribution through the Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
• Defined contribution retirement plan with employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor (if applicable).
• Additional voluntary tax-deferred annuity (TDA) options.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness programs to promote work/life balance.