Top 12 Senior Network Engineer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive job market, showcasing the right set of skills on your resume is crucial for senior network engineers aiming for top-tier positions. This guide highlights the top 12 skills that will not only distinguish you from the competition but also demonstrate your comprehensive expertise and readiness for advanced network challenges.

Senior Network Engineer Skills

1. Cisco IOS
2. Juniper Junos
3. BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
4. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
5. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
6. IPv6
7. QoS (Quality of Service)
8. SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN)
9. Network Security
10. Cloud Networking
11. Wireless Technologies
12. Network Automation

1. Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is a proprietary operating system that runs on most Cisco routers and switches, providing the network infrastructure's core functionality and enabling network services and routing protocols for both data and voice communications.

Why It's Important

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is crucial for a Senior Network Engineer as it provides the core functionality and common platform across Cisco routers and switches, enabling consistent configuration, management, and troubleshooting of network infrastructure, ensuring reliability, security, and efficient network operations.

How to Improve Cisco IOS Skills

Improving Cisco IOS involves optimizing performance, enhancing security, and ensuring the system is up-to-date. Here's a concise guide for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Update and Upgrade: Regularly update IOS to the latest version to fix vulnerabilities and improve features.

2. Configuration Optimization: Implement best practices in your configurations for efficiency and security.

3. Network Security: Enhance security by configuring ACLs, VPNs, and employing IOS Firewall features.

4. Performance Monitoring: Use tools like Cisco NetFlow for traffic analysis and capacity planning.

5. Automation and Scripting: Utilize EEM (Embedded Event Manager) for automation of routine tasks.

6. Quality of Service (QoS): Implement QoS to prioritize critical traffic and ensure bandwidth efficiency.

7. Network Redundancy: Use protocols like HSRP, VRRP, or GLBP for high availability.

8. Device Hardening: Follow Cisco's guidelines for securing network devices against unauthorized access.

9. Documentation and Training: Keep documentation up-to-date and leverage Cisco’s training resources for continuous learning.

For a Senior Network Engineer, focusing on these areas will significantly improve the operation and security of Cisco IOS environments.

How to Display Cisco IOS Skills on Your Resume

2. Juniper Junos

Juniper Junos, short for Junos OS, is a high-performance network operating system that powers Juniper Networks' routing, switching, and security devices. It provides a unified, consistent operating environment that improves network reliability, security, and scalability for complex networks.

Why It's Important

Juniper Junos is crucial for a Senior Network Engineer as it provides a unified, feature-rich operating system that enhances network reliability, performance, and security, facilitating efficient network architecture and operations management across Juniper's routing, switching, and security devices.

How to Improve Juniper Junos Skills

Improving your skills and management of Juniper Junos as a Senior Network Engineer involves several focused strategies:

1. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest Junos features and best practices through Juniper Networks Learning Portal.

2. Automation: Embrace automation for configuration and management using Junos automation scripts. Explore Junos Automation to get started.

3. Certification: Advance your knowledge and recognition in the field by pursuing higher-level Juniper certifications. Check out the certification tracks.

4. Hands-On Practice: Utilize Juniper’s vLabs for free access to virtual Junos environments to test configurations and features. Visit Juniper vLabs.

5. Community Engagement: Join Juniper Networks Community forums to share insights, solve challenges, and learn from peers. Engage here: Juniper Networks Community.

6. Documentation: Make regular visits to Juniper TechLibrary for comprehensive guides, configuration examples, and best practices.

7. Security Practices: Stay informed on the latest security advisories and best practices to protect your Junos devices. Important updates can be found at Juniper Security Advisories.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance your expertise in managing and optimizing Juniper Junos environments.

How to Display Juniper Junos Skills on Your Resume

3. BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is an exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet, enabling efficient, scalable inter-domain routing.

Why It's Important

BGP is crucial as it underpins the global routing system, enabling the internet's scalability by managing the flow of data across autonomous systems, ensuring connectivity and resilience through dynamic path selection and redundancy.

How to Improve BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) Skills

Improving BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) involves enhancing security, stability, and efficiency in routing operations. Here are key strategies tailored for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Implement Route Filtering: Use prefix lists, AS path filters, and route maps to prevent propagation of incorrect routes. Cisco's Guide on Route Filtering provides detailed configurations.

2. Adopt RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure): Enhance BGP security by validating route origination using RPKI, reducing route hijacking incidents. Cloudflare's RPKI Introduction offers a primer on its importance and setup.

3. Use BGP Route Reflectors: In larger networks, deploy route reflectors to reduce the number of iBGP peering sessions, improving scalability. Juniper's Route Reflectors Guide provides a comprehensive look at their deployment.

4. Implement BGP Graceful Restart: Ensure minimal traffic disruption during peering resets or router restarts by adopting BGP Graceful Restart. IETF's RFC 4724 details the protocol extension for maintaining forwarding state during BGP restarts.

5. Leverage BGP Communities: Utilize BGP communities for efficient route management and policy enforcement across the network. APNIC's Guide on BGP Communities gives an overview of their application and benefits.

6. Deploy BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection): Use BFD for rapid detection of link or neighbor failures, ensuring faster convergence. Juniper's BFD Overview explains its mechanism and configuration.

By focusing on these areas, a Senior Network Engineer can significantly improve the performance, reliability, and security of BGP operations within their network.

How to Display BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) Skills on Your Resume

4. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a dynamic routing protocol for IP networks, using a link-state routing algorithm to find the shortest path between nodes. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6, scales efficiently in large enterprise networks, and divides domains into hierarchical areas to optimize traffic and resource utilization.

Why It's Important

OSPF is crucial as it enables scalable and dynamic internetwork routing, efficiently computing shortest paths with Dijkstra's algorithm, thus ensuring optimal data packet delivery across large and complex networks. It supports rapid convergence, network changes adaptation, and load balancing, which are essential for maintaining high availability and performance in enterprise and service provider environments.

How to Improve OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) Skills

To improve OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) performance and reliability, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Optimize Area Design: Implement a hierarchical OSPF design using multiple areas to reduce the size of the routing table and the SPF calculation time. OSPF Area Types.

2. Tune Timers: Adjust OSPF timers (hello and dead intervals) to ensure faster detection of link failures, especially on critical links. OSPF Timers Tuning.

3. Utilize Stub Areas: Convert transit areas to stub or totally stubby areas where appropriate to prevent the propagation of external routes, reducing the OSPF database size. Configuring OSPF Stub Areas.

4. Implement Route Summarization: Use route summarization at area boundaries to decrease the number of routes advertised between areas, improving convergence times. Route Summarization.

5. Leverage OSPF Traffic Engineering: Use OSPF traffic engineering features such as MPLS TE to optimize the traffic flow based on the current network state. OSPF and MPLS TE.

6. Prioritize OSPF Traffic: Ensure OSPF traffic is prioritized in QoS policies to maintain neighbor relationships during congestion. Quality of Service for OSPF.

7. Regularly Review and Clean OSPF Configurations: Remove unnecessary OSPF configurations and regularly review OSPF settings to ensure they are optimized for current network requirements.

Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the efficiency, stability, and scalability of OSPF in your network.

How to Display OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) Skills on Your Resume

5. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a high-performance packet forwarding technology that uses short path labels for data forwarding decisions, enabling efficient, scalable, and flexible network traffic management and engineering across wide-area networks.

Why It's Important

MPLS enhances network efficiency and performance by directing data across short paths using labels, enabling scalable, protocol-independent, fast packet forwarding, and facilitating advanced traffic engineering, QoS, and VPN services.

How to Improve MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) Skills

Improving MPLS performance and efficiency involves several strategies, each tailored to enhance specific aspects of the network. Here are concise recommendations for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Optimize Path Selection: Implement Traffic Engineering (TE) using RSVP-TE protocols to optimize network resources and manage traffic flows efficiently. This ensures the best path is chosen for data packets, improving performance and reducing latency. Cisco MPLS Traffic Engineering

2. Enhance Reliability and Redundancy: Use Fast Reroute (FRR) mechanisms to provide immediate switchover in case of a failure, minimizing packet loss and downtime. FRR can significantly improve network reliability. Juniper Fast Reroute

3. Quality of Service (QoS) Tuning: Prioritize critical traffic by implementing advanced QoS policies. This ensures that important data, such as VoIP or streaming video, receives the bandwidth it needs, even during congestion. Huawei MPLS QoS

4. Layer 3 VPN Enhancements: For secure and scalable IP routing, optimize Layer 3 VPN configurations. This includes refining VRFs, route distinguishers, and route targets to improve segregation and efficiency. MPLS Layer 3 VPNs

5. Utilize Segment Routing: Implement Segment Routing to simplify the network and improve scalability. This reduces the need for multiple protocols and simplifies traffic engineering and path computation. Cisco Segment Routing

6. Network Monitoring and Management: Deploy comprehensive network monitoring tools to gain visibility into MPLS performance. Use SNMP, NetFlow, or specialized MPLS monitoring tools to detect, analyze, and respond to network issues proactively. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

7. Regular Updates and Training: Keep the network infrastructure up to date with the latest software releases and patches. Regular training for network staff ensures they are current with new MPLS features and best practices.

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of your MPLS network.

How to Display MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) Skills on Your Resume

6. IPv6

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), designed to replace IPv4, providing an expanded address space, improved security features, and enhanced QoS capabilities to support the growing number of internet-connected devices.

Why It's Important

IPv6 is critical due to its vast address space, addressing the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, and supports enhanced security and improved routing efficiency, essential for the expanding Internet and IoT devices.

How to Improve IPv6 Skills

Improving IPv6 deployment and management involves several strategies, focusing on optimization, security, and compatibility. Here's a concise guide:

1. Optimization: Utilize IPv6's features like simplified packet header and improved routing efficiency. Implement IPv6 Performance Tuning to ensure optimal network performance. Cisco’s IPv6 Tuning Guide offers comprehensive insights.

2. Security: Strengthen IPv6 security by deploying IPSec for encrypted communications and ensuring all network devices are configured to handle IPv6 securely. NIST Guidelines for IPv6 Security are a vital resource.

3. Compatibility: Ensure smooth operation between IPv4 and IPv6 environments through Dual-Stack, Tunneling, and Translation mechanisms, addressing compatibility without sacrificing performance. IETF’s IPv6 Transition Mechanisms provide detailed approaches.

4. IPv6 Address Management (IPAM): Efficiently manage address space and resources using advanced IPAM tools designed for IPv6. This includes automated address assignment and tracking. RIPE NCC's IPv6 IPAM Solutions discusses available options.

5. Training and Policy Development: Enhance team skills in IPv6 and develop clear network policies. Continuous education on IPv6 advancements is crucial. APNIC Training offers courses tailored for network professionals.

6. Monitoring and Troubleshooting: Use IPv6-capable network monitoring tools for visibility and quick troubleshooting. SolarWinds IPv6 Management can be a starting point.

7. Participation in IPv6 Forums and Communities: Stay updated with the latest IPv6 developments and share experiences by engaging in forums like The North American IPv6 Task Force.

Implementing these strategies can significantly improve IPv6 deployment and management in your network infrastructure.

How to Display IPv6 Skills on Your Resume

7. QoS (Quality of Service)

QoS (Quality of Service) is a network mechanism that prioritizes and manages network traffic to ensure the performance and reliability of critical applications and services by minimizing latency, packet loss, and jitter.

Why It's Important

QoS is crucial for prioritizing network traffic, ensuring reliable performance for critical applications, and managing bandwidth to reduce congestion and latency, essential for optimal network efficiency and user satisfaction.

How to Improve QoS (Quality of Service) Skills

Improving Quality of Service (QoS) involves prioritizing network traffic to ensure high performance for critical applications and services. Here's a concise guide for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Assess Network Requirements: Understand the specific needs of your critical applications and services. Cisco's QoS Basics provides a good starting point.

2. Classify and Mark Traffic: Use tools and protocols (e.g., DSCP) to classify traffic into priority levels. For guidelines, refer to Juniper's Traffic Classification.

3. Implement Traffic Policing and Shaping: Control traffic volumes to prevent congestion. Traffic Policing and Shaping Explained offers insights into managing bandwidth effectively.

4. Enable Queue Management: Utilize queue mechanisms (e.g., LLQ, WRED) to manage congestion. For an in-depth exploration, see Queue Management Techniques.

5. Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor network performance and adjust QoS settings as needed. Tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor can aid in this process.

6. Stay Updated: Keep abreast of the latest QoS strategies and tools by engaging with communities and resources such as Network World and IETF's RFCs on QoS.

By following these steps and leveraging the provided resources, you can enhance the QoS in your network, ensuring that critical applications receive the bandwidth and priority needed for optimal performance.

How to Display QoS (Quality of Service) Skills on Your Resume

8. SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN)

SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is a technology that enables dynamic, policy-driven management of network traffic across a wide area network (WAN), optimizing connectivity and performance between enterprise networks, data centers, and cloud services through the use of software-defined networking (SDN) principles.

Why It's Important

SD-WAN is crucial for its ability to optimize network performance, enhance security, and reduce operational costs by intelligently directing traffic across WAN connections, enabling better use of bandwidth and providing greater flexibility and control over the network infrastructure.

How to Improve SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN) Skills

Improving SD-WAN involves enhancing performance, security, and management efficiency. Here's a concise guide:

1. Performance Optimization:

   • Implement Application-aware Routing: Prioritize critical applications to improve performance. Cisco offers insights on application-aware policies.
   • Use WAN Optimization Techniques: Compress and deduplicate data to maximize bandwidth. Silver Peak, now part of Aruba, provides solutions in this area.

2. Enhanced Security:

   • Integrate Advanced Threat Protection: Incorporate next-gen firewall and IPS for real-time threat detection. Fortinet has comprehensive SD-WAN security solutions.
   • Secure Cloud Connectivity: Ensure secure and efficient connections to cloud services with SASE (Secure Access Service Edge). Gartner introduces the concept and its importance.

3. Management and Monitoring:

   • Centralized Management Console: Utilize a unified management interface for better control and visibility across the network. VMware SD-WAN provides a robust management platform.
   • Implement AI and ML for Network Analytics: Use AI-driven insights for predictive analytics and automated troubleshooting. Juniper Networks employs AI in enhancing network performance and security.

4. Scalability and Flexibility:

   • Adopt a Hybrid WAN Approach: Combine MPLS with broadband and LTE to enhance connectivity options and network resilience. This Network World article explains hybrid WAN benefits.
   • Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN: Leverage cloud services for scalable and flexible network infrastructure. VeloCloud (VMware) specializes in cloud-delivered SD-WAN solutions.

Always stay updated with the latest SD-WAN trends and technologies by following reputable sources and engaging in continuous learning and certification programs offered by industry leaders like Cisco, VMware, and Juniper Networks.

How to Display SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN) Skills on Your Resume

9. Network Security

Network security is the practice of implementing measures and protocols to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of computer networks and data from unauthorized access, attacks, or theft.

Why It's Important

Network security is essential to protect critical data and systems from threats, ensure business continuity, and maintain regulatory compliance, safeguarding both organizational assets and customer trust.

How to Improve Network Security Skills

Improving network security is crucial for protecting data and maintaining the integrity of your network infrastructure. Here are key strategies tailored for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Regularly Update and Patch Systems: Ensure that all software and hardware components are up-to-date with the latest patches to mitigate vulnerabilities. Cisco's Guide on Software Updates offers insights on managing updates effectively.

2. Implement Strong Access Control: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and least privilege principles to limit access to network resources. NIST's Guidelines on Digital Identity provide a comprehensive framework.

3. Encrypt Sensitive Data: Protect data in transit and at rest using encryption protocols like TLS and AES. Let's Encrypt offers free, automated HTTPS certificates which are a good starting point for web encryption.

4. Regular Security Audits and Assessments: Conduct periodic evaluations of your network to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) has resources for security testing methodologies.

5. Network Segmentation: Divide your network into segments to contain breaches and facilitate easier monitoring. VMware's Network Segmentation Guide explains the concept and benefits in detail.

6. Deploy Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): Use IDPS to monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and take preemptive action. Snort is an open-source option that can be customized to fit your needs.

7. Employee Training: Regularly educate staff about security best practices and phishing threats. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides resources for cybersecurity awareness training.

8. Incident Response Planning: Develop and regularly update an incident response plan to ensure quick and effective handling of security breaches. SANS Institute's Incident Handler's Handbook is a useful resource for creating a comprehensive plan.

By implementing these strategies, a Senior Network Engineer can significantly enhance the security posture of their network.

How to Display Network Security Skills on Your Resume

10. Cloud Networking

Cloud networking is the interconnection of network resources and services hosted in cloud environments, enabling scalable, flexible, and on-demand network infrastructure management and delivery over the Internet.

Why It's Important

Cloud networking is crucial as it enables scalable, flexible, and highly available network infrastructure, facilitating efficient resource allocation, rapid deployment, and simplified management across global data centers, essential for supporting distributed applications and ensuring business continuity.

How to Improve Cloud Networking Skills

Improving cloud networking involves optimizing performance, enhancing security, and ensuring cost-efficiency. Here are concise strategies tailored for a Senior Network Engineer:

1. Performance Optimization:

   • Leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to reduce latency by caching content closer to the end-users. Akamai is a notable example.
   • Implement Load Balancing across multiple cloud regions or instances to distribute traffic evenly and ensure high availability. AWS Elastic Load Balancing provides comprehensive solutions.
   • Utilize Network Monitoring Tools like SolarWinds for real-time performance tracking and anomaly detection.

2. Security Enhancement:

   • Employ Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles, ensuring strict access control and verification. Zscaler offers robust ZTNA solutions.
   • Configure Firewalls and DDoS Protection to safeguard against malicious attacks. Cloudflare provides effective DDoS mitigation services.
   • Apply Data Encryption both at rest and in transit using tools like Thales for comprehensive data protection.

3. Cost Efficiency:

   • Opt for Auto-Scaling services to adjust resources dynamically, reducing unnecessary costs. Google Cloud Autoscaling offers this functionality.
   • Implement Traffic Flow Analysis to identify and eliminate underutilized resources. Cisco provides advanced traffic flow solutions.
   • Utilize Cloud Cost Management Tools like CloudHealth by VMware for monitoring and optimizing cloud spending.

By adopting these strategies, Senior Network Engineers can significantly improve cloud networking in terms of performance, security, and cost-effectiveness.

How to Display Cloud Networking Skills on Your Resume

11. Wireless Technologies

Wireless technologies refer to the various methods and protocols used for transmitting data over distances without the need for wires or cables, utilizing electromagnetic waves such as radio frequencies, infrared, and microwave communications. These technologies enable devices to connect to networks, communicate, and access services remotely, supporting a wide range of applications from mobile telephony and broadband access to data communication and IoT connectivity.

Why It's Important

Wireless technologies are crucial for enabling flexible, scalable, and efficient connectivity solutions, essential for supporting the diverse and evolving networking needs of modern enterprises and facilitating seamless communication in an increasingly mobile world.

How to Improve Wireless Technologies Skills

Improving wireless technologies involves enhancing network performance, security, capacity, and coverage. Here are concise strategies:

1. Upgrade to the Latest Standards: Adopt the latest wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E (Wi-Fi 6 by Wi-Fi Alliance), which offer improved efficiency, capacity, and performance in congested areas.

2. Optimize Network Layout: Use site surveys and RF planning tools to design optimal AP placement and minimize interference. Tools like Ekahau (Ekahau Site Survey) can help.

3. Implement Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize traffic to ensure critical applications receive the bandwidth they need. This can be done through settings in your network hardware (QoS by Cisco).

4. Enhance Security: Regularly update firmware, use strong encryption (WPA3), and implement network access controls to protect against unauthorized access (WPA3 by Wi-Fi Alliance).

5. Deploy Mesh Networks: For extensive coverage, consider deploying a mesh network that seamlessly connects multiple wireless access points without the need for traditional cabling (Mesh Networking by Cisco).

6. Spectrum Analysis: Use spectrum analyzers to identify and mitigate sources of interference, ensuring optimal performance across your wireless network (Spectrum Analysis by Metageek).

7. Capacity Planning: Regularly assess and plan for capacity, especially in growing or changing environments, to ensure your network can handle increased traffic (Capacity Planning Guide by Aruba).

8. Utilize Beamforming and MIMO: Technologies like Beamforming and Multi-User MIMO increase signal reliability and network capacity by directing signals directly to devices rather than broadcasting in all directions (MU-MIMO by Qualcomm).

Incorporating these strategies requires a thorough understanding of your current network infrastructure and a proactive approach to network management and planning. Staying informed on the latest wireless technologies and best practices is also crucial for ongoing improvement.

How to Display Wireless Technologies Skills on Your Resume

12. Network Automation

Network Automation involves the use of software to automate the management, deployment, and operations of network devices and services, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and reliability across the network infrastructure.

Why It's Important

Network automation is crucial for a Senior Network Engineer because it significantly enhances efficiency, reduces human error, and ensures consistent and rapid deployment of network services, thereby optimizing network operations and facilitating agile responses to changing business needs.

How to Improve Network Automation Skills

To improve Network Automation as a Senior Network Engineer, focus on these key areas:

1. Education and Training: Continuously update your skills in network automation tools and languages like Ansible, Python, and YAML. Cisco's Network Automation and Programmability offers a structured learning path.

2. Adopt Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Use tools like Terraform to manage your network infrastructure through code, promoting consistency and efficiency. Learn more about Terraform for network automation at Terraform by HashiCorp.

3. Implement Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) for Network Changes: Integrate network automation into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure that network changes are systematically validated and deployed. GitLab provides insights into CI/CD for Networking.

4. Leverage Source Control: Use Git repositories to manage and track changes in your network configurations and automation scripts. GitHub offers extensive resources for learning Git and GitHub.

5. Standardize and Document: Establish coding standards for scripts and document your network automation processes. This ensures maintainability and scalability. Read about network automation documentation best practices at Network to Code.

6. Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Participate in communities like Network to Code on Slack or Stack Overflow to share experiences and solutions.

7. Security and Compliance: Incorporate security best practices into your automation workflows and ensure compliance with industry standards. The SANS Institute offers resources on network security.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve network automation, making your networks more efficient, reliable, and secure.

How to Display Network Automation Skills on Your Resume