A Network Engineer designs, builds, monitors and fixes the networks that keep organisations connected, secure and productive. To become one, you need to build IT and networking foundations, gain recognised certifications such as CompTIA Network+, practise hands-on configuration and troubleshooting, and apply for realistic entry points.
That kind of skill is becoming harder for businesses to do without. Cloud systems, remote work, cyber security, connected devices and stable internet access all depend on well-managed networks, and the UK government’s 2025 cyber skills report found that 49% of UK businesses had a basic technical cyber security skills gap.
This guide explains what Network Engineers do, what the role involves day to day, which skills and certifications help, and how to work towards your first networking role.
Written by
With four years at Learning People and a solid foundation in IT and Cybersecurity, Chris guides people through the fast-evolving tech landscape and into their dream jobs. He combines hands-on technical expertise with insider industry insights to help learners make informed career decisions.
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1. What Is a Network Engineer?
A Network Engineer is the person responsible for the systems that allow devices, servers, cloud platforms and users to communicate reliably. In simple terms, they help keep the digital roads open, so people can access what they need without the business grinding to a halt.
Without good networking, people cannot access files, use applications, serve customers, join meetings, process payments or protect data properly. It is one of those areas of IT that people usually only notice when it stops working, but without Network Engineers, organisations would quickly feel the impact.
Network Engineer is usually not the very first job title someone gets with no prior IT experience. But it can be a strong route into tech if you enjoy solving practical problems, understanding how systems connect, and can stay calm when something is not working as it should.
Can Network Engineer be an entry-level role?
Network Engineer is usually a role you work towards, rather than the first job you land with no experience. But that should not put you off. Many people start by building their IT and networking foundations, earning certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or CCNA, and applying for entry-level roles in IT support, helpdesk, network support or infrastructure support.
The key is to show employers that you are not just interested in networking, you are actively building the skills. That might mean completing practical labs, documenting small projects, practising troubleshooting scenarios, or creating simple network diagrams you can talk through in an interview. You do not need a perfect background to get started. You need a clear route, evidence of effort, and the ability to explain how you approach problems.
What does a Network Engineer do? Core responsibilities
Network Engineers keep business networks running by installing, configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting the systems that connect people, devices and applications. Their work helps reduce downtime, improve performance and protect the organisation’s data.
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Network design: Planning how routers, switches, firewalls, wireless networks and cloud connections should fit together, so the network can support how the business actually works.
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Installation and configuration: Setting up network devices, cabling, IP addresses, VLANs, access rules and routing protocols so systems can communicate correctly.
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Monitoring and performance: Checking network speed, availability and reliability so issues are spotted early, not after half the office has lost connection.
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Troubleshooting: Investigating connection failures, slow applications, outages, dropped Wi-Fi and access problems to find the real cause of the issues.
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Security and maintenance: Applying patches, managing access, supporting firewall rules and helping reduce network risks across devices, users and locations.
Day in the life of a Network Engineer
A typical day for a Network Engineer is a mix of planned maintenance, live troubleshooting, performance checks and communication with other teams.
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Morning checks: Reviewing alerts, network dashboards, overnight incidents and system health to spot anything that needs attention.
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User and service issues: Investigating connection problems, slow systems or access requests raised by colleagues or support teams.
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Configuration work: Updating switches, routers, wireless settings, firewall rules or VPN access as part of planned changes.
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Project support: Helping with office moves, cloud migrations, new site setups, hardware upgrades or security improvements.
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Documentation: Recording changes, diagrams, IP address details and troubleshooting steps so it is easily understood by the team.
What is a Network Engineer’s salary?
Network Engineers in the UK typically earn around £32,500 to £57,000, with average salaries often reported in the low-to-mid £40,000s. Salary varies by location, sector, certifications, experience and whether the role focuses on support, infrastructure, cloud networking or security.
2. Certifications You Need to Become a Network Engineer
The most useful certifications for becoming a Network Engineer are the ones that prove you understand networking basics, can configure real systems, and can work safely around infrastructure.
In 2026, many recruiters use certifications as a quick way to judge whether a candidate has the right technical foundation, and without them, even highly capable candidates can struggle to get past CV screening tools.
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Level |
Recommended certification |
Professional value |
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Foundation |
Helps beginners gain and prove general IT support knowledge before specialising in networking. |
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Entry-level |
Builds the networking foundation employers expect, including protocols, devices, troubleshooting and network operations. |
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Professional |
Validates practical networking knowledge across routing, switching, IP services, security basics and automation fundamentals. |
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Advanced |
Supports progression into more advanced network engineering, enterprise infrastructure and senior technical roles. |
Our network engineering courses can help you build the technical foundations employers look for, whether you are completely new to IT, moving across from support, or ready to specialise further in networking and infrastructure.
3. Key Skills Required for a Network Engineer
Network Engineers need technical troubleshooting skills, a clear understanding of how networks behave, and the communication skills to explain problems to people in the organisation who are not as technical. It is a technical role, yes, but it is also a role for people who can stay patient, think clearly and work through problems one step at a time.
Technical and hard skills
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TCP/IP and networking fundamentals: You need to understand how data moves between devices, networks and services. This includes IP addresses, ports, protocols, DNS, DHCP and the basic logic behind how systems find and talk to each other.
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Routing and switching: These are the building blocks of business networks. You do not need to know everything on day one, but you do need to understand how traffic moves across a network and how different devices pass information along.
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Wireless and VPN configuration: Many organisations now rely on stable Wi-Fi and secure remote access. Knowing how these services work helps you support hybrid teams and users working across different locations.
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Firewalls and network security basics: Network Engineers need to understand access rules, segmentation, threats and secure configuration.
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Monitoring and troubleshooting tools: Packet analysers, logs, dashboards and command-line utilities help you investigate what is happening, rather than relying on guess work.
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Cloud networking basics: More businesses now use AWS, Azure or hybrid systems, so cloud networking knowledge is becoming more useful for infrastructure roles.
Core soft skills
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Calm problem solving: Network issues can affect whole teams, so you need to stay steady when everyone else is concerned about the lack of connection.
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Clear communication: You will need to explain technical issues to managers, users, security teams and service providers in a way people can actually act on.
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Attention to detail: One incorrect setting can affect access, performance or security, so careful work matters.
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Documentation habits: Good notes save time, reduce risk and help other team members understand what changed.
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Curiosity: Networking rewards people who like asking, “What is actually happening here?” and then testing the answer according to protocols.
Did you know? IT professionals earn above the national average salary
The mean UK salary for IT and cyber roles overall in 2025 was £51,734, which is 24% above the national mean salary.
The mean salary has stayed steady for these roles, with a very strong growth trajectory since November 2025, growing from £42,416 to £51,234 (+20%).
Find more IT networking job market insights in our frequently updated industry mini-report.
4. The Roadmap: How to Become a Network Engineer
Becoming a Network Engineer takes a tactical route, especially if you are starting from scratch or changing career. The aim is to build your foundations first, prove them with recognised certifications, practise in realistic environments, then apply for entry points that move you closer to network engineering.
Step 1: Understand the role and choose your first entry point
Start by reading current job descriptions for Network Engineer, Junior Network Engineer, Network Support Technician and Network Administrator roles. You are looking for repeated skills such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, monitoring and troubleshooting.
Once you understand the career path you are most interested in, start applying for entry level roles that will help you get there. Good starting points for aspiring Network Engineers include positions such as: IT Support Technician, Helpdesk Analyst, Network Support Technician, Junior Network Administrator and Infrastructure Support Technician. These roles help you build experience with real systems, real users and real technical problems.
Step 2: Build your IT and networking foundations
Before you specialise, you need to understand how the pieces fit together. Start with the basics of computers, operating systems, networks, users and permissions. Then move into networking concepts such as IP addressing, ports, protocols, routers, switches, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi and cabling.
If you are completely new to IT, CompTIA A+ can be a helpful first step. From there, CompTIA Network+ gives you a stronger grounding in the networking knowledge employers expect.
Step 3: Earn certifications that match the jobs you want
Certifications help employers understand your level before you have years of experience behind you. For networking roles, CompTIA Network+ is a strong starting point because it covers the fundamentals of networks, devices, protocols, operations and troubleshooting.
CCNA is often a valuable next step if you want to show deeper technical ability and move towards more network-focused roles. The aim is not to gain as many certifications as possible. It is to compare them against real job adverts, then choose the ones that match the roles you want.
Step 4: Practise with labs and document your projects
Employers want evidence that you can do the work. Labs give you a safe way to practise without worrying that one wrong click will break a company network. We have all been grateful for sandbox networking at some point.
You could build a small home network diagram, configure a basic router and switch in a simulator, practise subnetting, set up VLANs in a lab, troubleshoot DNS or DHCP issues, or use Wireshark to inspect basic traffic. Document what problem you solved, what tools you used, what went wrong and what you learned. That gives you real material for your CV, LinkedIn profile and interviews.
Step 5: Update your CV, LinkedIn and applications for network roles
A career-change CV should translate your previous experience into relevant evidence. Customer support, problem solving, process work, documentation, working under pressure and explaining issues clearly can all support a move into networking when you frame them properly.
Add your certifications, labs, tools, projects and troubleshooting examples so employers can see what you are building. Apply for bridge roles as well as junior networking roles, because IT support and infrastructure jobs can be stepping stones into network engineering. And do not forget networking in the human sense: speak to recruiters, join tech communities, attend webinars and ask people already in the field what their work day actually looks like.
Conclusion: What's my next move for becoming a Network Engineer?
Your next move is to review current Network Engineer job descriptions, then make a list of the skills, certifications and hands-on evidence that appear again and again. That gives you a much clearer picture of what employers are asking for in 2026, and what you need to start working on.
You do not need to solve the whole career change in one sitting. Start with clarity: which roles are open, what do they ask for, and what do you need to build next? Learning People can help you plan that route, from training and certifications through to career planning, CVs, interviews and job search support.