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

Texas A&M University System Offices – Center for Applied Communications and Networks (Bryan, Texas)

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. This role leverages knowledge of existing networks to design, implement, and test innovative solutions for next-generation networking challenges. The position serves as a subject-matter expert on research projects and contributes to advancing networking and networked-application initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Research Proposals (5%)
  • Evaluate and analyze technical approaches to research opportunities.
  • Research and evaluate equipment, protocols, designs, procedures, and tools to address research requirements.
  • Develop network designs and other technical aspects for 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, including planning and 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, outlining phases, personnel, and networking requirements.
  • Establish standards for implementing 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 against 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 as needed.
  • 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 in 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 to project sponsors.
  • Collaborate with the research team to define the contents of project deliverable reports.
  • Collect data and artifacts needed for project reporting.
  • Assist in preparing 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%)

Requirements

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

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 to produce 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 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 expertise in monitoring (SNMP, logging) and network security (firewalls, NAT/PAT).

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.

Other Requirements

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; however, 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.