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

Job Title

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

Agency

Texas A&M University System Offices

Department

Center for Applied Communications and Networks

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth and the Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond.

The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan to include an employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); if applicable, a defined contribution retirement plan to include an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor: additional voluntary tax deferred annuity (TDA) options; tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

Salary:

Commensurate with experience.

Job Description Summary:

The Network Systems Research Engineer Ill-IV or Senior Network Systems Engineer I, under general direction, is responsible for conducting and supporting basic and applied research on networks and networked applications. This role utilizes knowledge of existing networks to design, implement, and test creative and innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in next generation networks. The primary responsibilities include supporting researching initiatives within the field of networking and networked applications. Performs as subject matter expert on research projects. 

Responsibilities:

Research Proposals 5%

- Conducts evaluation and analysis of technical approaches to research opportunities. 
- Conducts research and evaluation of appropriate equipment, protocols, designs, procedures, and tools to address research requirements. 
- Produces network designs and other technical aspects of the research proposal submission.

Network Design and Documentation 15%

- Establishes standards and plans for new or upgraded research networks. 
- Collects and evaluates input from researchers, systems administrators, contractors, and vendors to develop specifications, requirements, and plans for networks. 
- Designs activities for network research projects. 
- Recommends research network designs. 
- Establishes standards and processes used to detail network engineering designs, and assists with planning and mapping methods, procedures, problems, and repairs to those standards and processes. 
- Designs research network system security measures, configuration backup, and security methods. 

Network Configuration, Installation, and Testing 20%

- Collaborates with research team and develops work plans and time schedules for projects including outlining phases, identifying personnel, and networking requirements. 
- Establishes standards for the implementation of new technology deployments and research network integration and interoperability testing. 
- Configures, installs, and tests research networks. 
- Tests the methods and plans used to certify sophisticated research networking projects to required installation design standards. 

Network Research, Operations, and Support 20%

- Establishes protocols and processes for problem management and support. 
- Provides Tier I, II and Ill support for network issues and assists the rest of the research team as needed on other support issues. 
- Performs diagnostics and repair of complex hardware and software problems. 
- Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of established processes and protocols. 
- Establishes procedures for compliance with network security regulations. 
- Performs security assessments and audits to ensure compliance with government standards. 
- Designs and implements security measures, data backup, and protection methods. 
- Develops disaster recovery plans for network equipment and systems. 
- Drives to other locations on campus, on other campuses, and to vendor and other locations for meetings and to assist with research network installation and operations. 
- Supports researchers with gathering data, such as packet captures, for research and other projects. 

Research Project Presentations and Reporting 15%

- Contributes to the preparation of monthly/quarterly updates to project sponsors. 
-     Contributes to the presentation of monthly/quarterly project updates to project sponsors. 

- Collects technical updates for monthly/quarterly updates to project sponsors. 
- Collaborates with the research team to help define the contents of project deliverable reports. 
- Collections data and other artifacts needed for project reporting. 
- Assists with the preparation of project deliverables and reports. 
- Assists with the preparation of presentations to project sponsors and at industry symposia.

Training and Development 10%

- Stays abreast of emerging technologies and best practices. 
- Engages in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance technical skills and knowledge in research computing engineering.

Supervision and Training 10%

- Provides technical leadership to student teams. 
- Leads, motivates, develops, and coaches Graduate Assistant and Student Technicians. 
- Models ethical, regulatory, and performance standards. 
- Models and promotes the open sharing of information, dedication to the team's mission, customer commitment, collaboration, and cooperation. 
- Participates in training and professional development with a special emphasis on leadership development, management, industry related acumen, and project and operations management. 
- Conducts professional development trainings for team members. 

Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Education and Experience:

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.

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Registration, Certifications, and Licenses:

- Ability to obtain a US Passport and the ability to travel domestically and internationally.

- Ability to obtain Secret-level US security clearance based on a background investigation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- LANs and L2 switching: such as copper, fiber, WiFi, VLANs, spanning tree
- IP networking and L3 switching/routing: such as IP subnetting, direct, static, and dynamic routing
- Supporting services: such as DHCP, NTP, DNS
- Skilled at using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications to produce professional-quality proposals and documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work digitally (paperless) utilizing Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, ... ), Adobe, and other tools.

- Willing and able to occasionally work outside normal office hours.

- Able to install/remove equipment such as servers, switches, radios and antennas, in racks or mounted on walls or polls or other locations.

- Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
 

Preferred Qualifications:

Licenses and Certifications:

- IT certifications in Networking, Network Security, Juniper, Cisco or other routing and security categories.

Network Technology:

- Monitoring: such as SNMP, logging 
- Network security: such as firewalls, NAT/PAT

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, use as step stool

• Climb ladders to reach radio locations

Work will generally be performed in an environmentally controlled office space; however, occasional activities at outdoor facilities may be required, which could involve exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme temperatures. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This is a security-sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. Only complete applications will be considered for employment at The Texas A&M System Offices. Incomplete job application data could result in your application being rejected without an option to reapply. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.