Senior Network EngineerArchitect (Network Communications Analyst IV)

Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer/Architect to help shape the future of the enterprise network infrastructure connecting SDSUs campuses research environments and university this senior technical role youll architect and engineer large-scale wired wireless WAN data center cloud-connected and research networks while leading complex infrastructure modernization initiatives from design through deployment.

Youll combine hands-on engineering with long-term architectural strategysolving SDSUs most challenging network problems evaluating emerging technologies and helping ensure the universitys network remains secure resilient scalable and ready for whats next.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enterprise Network Architecture & Engineering
  • Design and evolve highly available enterprise wired wireless core WAN/Internet data center cloud-connected and research network architectures.
  • Engineer complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 environments including routing switching segmentation redundancy QoS IPv4/IPv6 BGP OSPF and related technologies.
  • Assess capacity performance resiliency lifecycle needs and technical debt to guide network modernization.
  • Develop network architecture strategies and multi-year roadmaps that support university growth and technology priorities.
• Network Modernization & Technical Project Leadership
  • Serve as technical lead and network architect for complex university-wide infrastructure projects and network lifecycle initiatives.
  • Lead projects from requirements and architectural design through migration testing deployment validation and operational transition.
  • Develop implementation plans migration strategies testing criteria risk mitigation and rollback procedures.
  • Coordinate complex projects across IT teams campus partners Facilities vendors consultants service providers and other stakeholders.
• Advanced Network Engineering & Resiliency
  • Serve as a senior escalation resource for complex routing switching wireless connectivity segmentation performance and interoperability issues.
  • Perform advanced packet protocol routing telemetry RF and performance analysis to identify root causes and long-term solutions.
  • Engineer high-availability and fault-tolerant network services and support restoration during significant network incidents.
  • Use network observability and analysis technologies to optimize performance coverage security and infrastructure reliability.
• Architecture Standards & Technical Leadership
  • Develop network architecture diagrams engineering standards reference architectures configuration standards and technical runbooks.
  • Evaluate emerging networking cloud wireless automation security observability and research technologies.
  • Provide technical direction and mentorship to network engineers and analysts while promoting strong engineering and documentation practices.
  • Review and validate vendor and integrator designs to ensure solutions meet SDSUs technical security resiliency and architectural standards.

What Were Looking For:

Were looking for an experienced network engineer or architect who enjoys tackling complex infrastructure challenges while thinking strategically about where enterprise networking is headed.

Experience in areas such as the following is especially valuable:

• Large-scale enterprise wired and wireless network architecture
• Advanced routing and switching including BGP OSPF IPv4/IPv6 segmentation and high availability
• Aruba ALE/Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Palo Alto Networks Infoblox ClearPass or comparable enterprise platforms
• Network security and access control
• Network observability packet analysis RF engineering and performance troubleshooting
• Enterprise network modernization lifecycle refreshes and infrastructure migrations
• High-performance or research networking
• Technical architecture documentation and standards development
• Leading complex network infrastructure projects
• Working with vendors integrators service providers and other technical partners

Advanced certifications such as CCIE CCNP Aruba advanced/expert-level certifications PCNSE AWS/Azure Advanced Networking or equivalent are a plus.

Why Join Us

• Architect networks at scale Help design the infrastructure connecting SDSUs campuses research environments academic programs and university operations.
• Lead major modernization efforts Take complex network initiatives from architectural strategy through successful implementation.
• Stay deeply technical Work hands-on with advanced enterprise networking while serving as a trusted technical authority.
• Build for the future Evaluate emerging technologies and help define long-term network architecture standards and infrastructure investments for SDSU.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what its like to work at the CSUwatch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• Full-time benefits eligible permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 days per week following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

The SDSU OneIT Community is vital to the universitys success by delivering core technology services across our campuses colleges administrative areas and auxiliary units. Our mission is to support innovation in teaching research and service by strategically developing infrastructure responsibly managing IT assets actively engaging with our community and fostering collaboration. Guided by our Vice President for Information Technology/ Chief Information Officer we uphold SDSUs commitment to learning discovery and engagement with our core valuesservice collaboration respect integrity innovation and professionalismpermeating every aspect of our work.

Information Technology Network & Infrastructure (ITNI) provides the networking backbone that supports the Universitys technology needs. The team manages all wired and wireless campus networks and ensures reliable Internet connectivity. ITNI also delivers unified communications services for faculty and staff including voicemail call-center solutions and other voice features and installs and maintains the campuss fiber-optic and copper cabling. These services cover the main campus residence halls the Imperial Valley Campus (IVC) the Brawley facility Sky Park Mission Valley River Park Viejas Arena Millenia Library in Chula Vista KPBS Public Media and all off-site foundation buildings.

For more information regarding the Information Technology Network & Infrastructure department click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelors degree in a related field and five years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Extensive experience supporting and maintaining enterprise-level wired and wireless network environments including complex multi-protocol routed networks.
• Advanced knowledge of TCP/IP switching routing network security wireless technologies protocols and network architectures.
• Experience supporting and managing Palo Alto firewalls including security configuration and administration within an enterprise environment.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise networking technologies such as HPE Aruba wireless Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE) routing and switching Aruba ClearPass or comparable platforms.
• Advanced ability to design engineer implement troubleshoot and validate complex enterprise network solutions while maintaining continuity of critical services.
• Experience leading network infrastructure projects including hardware upgrades lifecycle replacements migrations and other large-scale modernization initiatives.
• Experience using network management monitoring analysis and diagnostic tools to troubleshoot connectivity and assess network performance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with technical teams vendors and stakeholders while managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced technical environment.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting networks in a higher education research or similarly complex large-enterprise environment.
  • Advanced experience with enterprise networking platforms such as Aruba ALE Palo Alto Networks Infoblox ClearPass or comparable technologies.
  • Advanced experience with network observability packet analysis RF engineering performance analysis and diagnostic tools.
  • Advanced industry certifications in enterprise networking network security wireless or cloud networking such as CCIE CCNP Aruba advanced/expert-level certifications PCNSE AWS/Azure Advanced Networking or equivalent.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience in alignment with the departments budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 11 ($10033/month).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $8231-$11990 per month (Step 1-Step 20).
• Future increases including step advancements are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays vacation and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical dental and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash life and disability insurance legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library campus events employee groups and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSUs Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply bySeptember 10 2026to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g. H-1B visa).Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a persons identity and authorization to work in the United States which are consistent with the provisions of theImmigration Reform and Control Act.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicants current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at .