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Junior Level Network Engineer Jobs in California

Network Engineer IV

Monterey, CA · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Provides senior-level network engineering support for wired and wireless infrastructure. Responsibilities: * Daily administration of enterprise network. * Troubleshoot connectivity and latency issues ...

$125K - $140K/yr

Provides senior-level network engineering support for wired and wireless infrastructure. Responsibilities: * Daily administration of enterprise network. * Troubleshoot connectivity and latency issues ...

Network Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$114K - $134K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Network Engineer II Location: Irvine, CA Work Type: Full-time Department: IT Infrastructure ... Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers, providing technical leadership and fostering ...

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Junior Level Network Engineer information

What are some common challenges faced by junior level network engineers in their first year on the job?

Junior Level Network Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting unfamiliar network issues, adapting to rapidly changing technologies, and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. They may also need to quickly learn how to document network changes accurately and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members. Gaining hands-on experience with complex equipment and navigating enterprise-level networks can be daunting initially, but these challenges provide valuable learning opportunities and help build a strong foundation for career growth.

What is a junior level network engineer?

Junior Level Network Engineers are entry-level professionals responsible for assisting in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of network hardware and software. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping to troubleshoot connectivity issues, monitor network performance, and ensure the security and reliability of network systems. These roles are ideal for those starting their careers in networking, as they provide foundational experience with routers, switches, firewalls, and various networking protocols. Junior engineers may also assist with documentation, user support, and the implementation of network upgrades as directed by senior staff.

What is the difference between Junior Level Network Engineer vs Network Technician?

AspectJunior Level Network EngineerNetwork Technician
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA (preferred)
ResponsibilitiesDesign, configure, troubleshoot network systems, assist in planningInstall, maintain, and repair network hardware and connections
Work EnvironmentOffice, data centers, network labsOn-site, hardware installation sites, support centers
Industry UsageIT companies, telecom providers, enterprise networksTelecom, IT support, hardware vendors

The main difference is that Junior Level Network Engineers focus on designing and troubleshooting network systems, often requiring some planning and configuration skills, while Network Technicians primarily handle hardware installation and maintenance tasks. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior level network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Level Network Engineer, you need a foundational understanding of networking concepts, troubleshooting, and basic security principles, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with network hardware, Cisco IOS, and certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and clear communication help you effectively resolve issues and support users. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining network reliability, ensuring security, and enabling seamless connectivity within an organization.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Level Network Engineer jobs in California?

For Junior Level Network Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Level Network Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Level Network Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Level Network Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Level Network Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Level Network Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Senior-Level Network Engineer

Seneca Resources Company, LLC

San Diego, CA • On-site

$60 - $65/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Senior-Level Network Engineer
Location: San Diego, CA (100% onsite)
Clearance Requirements: Active Secret Clearance
Position Status: Contract-to-Hire
Pay Rate: $60- $65/hr. (Based on experience)
Position Description: We are seeking a Senior-Level Network Engineer to provide network engineering, integration, testing, troubleshooting, security, and day-to-day operational support for complex physical network environments supporting mission-critical government systems.
This is a 100% onsite position requiring a highly experienced network professional with strong expertise in network architecture, routing and switching, cloud connectivity, network security, performance monitoring, and network infrastructure testing.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with enterprise network technologies including HPE Aruba, Palo Alto, OSPF, BGP, IPsec, Aruba ClearPass, 802.1X, NAC, Zero Trust, AWS, and Azure.
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide engineering and operational support for physical network environments, including network hardware/software installation, configuration, firmware upgrades, STIG compliance, maintenance, and performance optimization.
  • Monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot network performance at both the physical and IP packet levels using enterprise network monitoring and analysis tools such as Zabbix and inMON Traffic Sentinel.
  • Design, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot routers, switches, firewalls, and network distribution infrastructure.
  • Configure and troubleshoot OSPF, BGP, IPsec, VLANs, routing tables, IP addressing, and network segmentation.
  • Establish and maintain connectivity to AWS and Azure cloud environments, including IP space, VLANs, route tables, VPCs, and virtual gateways.
  • Develop and maintain network infrastructure test environments, review test cases, execute testing, analyze results, and document findings.
  • Establish and maintain corrective-action processes to identify, track, and resolve network issues in coordination with internal teams and vendors.
  • Conduct regression testing to validate network corrections, configuration changes, and infrastructure updates.
  • Prototype, install, configure, and maintain network infrastructure supporting routing, distribution, firewall, and boundary-routing functions.
  • Work extensively with HPE Aruba networking and Palo Alto firewalls/security technologies.
  • Implement and manage Network Access Control (NAC) capabilities, including Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager and 802.1X authentication.
  • Support implementation of Zero Trust network architectures, including dynamic segmentation and policy-based network access.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to critical network outages during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be able to report onsite within two hours of notification when required.
  • Maintain network security and configuration standards in accordance with applicable DoD security requirements and STIG guidelines.

Required Skills/Education
Required Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 10+ years of relevant network engineering experience, including experience working independently on complex network environments.
  • Strong hands-on experience with enterprise networking, routing, switching, network architecture, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience configuring and troubleshooting OSPF and BGP.
  • Experience with IPsec, VLANs, routing, IP addressing, and network segmentation.
  • Experience supporting AWS and/or Azure cloud connectivity and associated networking components.
  • Hands-on experience with HPE Aruba networking technologies.
  • Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and network security infrastructure.
  • Experience with Network Access Control (NAC) and 802.1X authentication.
  • Strong understanding of network security, Zero Trust principles, and dynamic segmentation.
  • Ability to analyze network performance at the packet and infrastructure levels.
  • Strong troubleshooting, analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work 100% onsite in San Diego, CA.
  • Ability to participate in after-hours/on-call support as required.

Required Security Clearance
  • Active Secret Clearance required.

Required Certifications
Candidates must hold one certification from each category below:
IAT Level II Security Certification:
  • CompTIA Security+ CE
  • CompTIA CySA+
  • GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
  • Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP)
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Networking Certification:
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
  • Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Zabbix and/or inMON Traffic Sentinel.
  • Strong experience with Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager.
  • Experience implementing NAC, 802.1X, Zero Trust, and dynamic segmentation.
  • Additional experience with HPE Aruba switching and wireless technologies.
  • Experience supporting DoD/NIWC, federal, military, or other government network environments.
  • Experience with STIG compliance and secure network configuration.
  • Experience with network performance monitoring, packet analysis, and enterprise network management platforms.

About Seneca Resources: At Seneca Resources, we are more than just a staffing and consulting firm, we are a trusted career partner. With offices across the U.S. and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations, we provide opportunities that help professionals grow their careers while making an impact.
When you work with Seneca, you're choosing a company that invests in your success, celebrates your achievements, and connects you to meaningful work with leading organizations nationwide. We take the time to understand your goals and match you with roles that align with your skills and career path. Our consultants and contractors enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and the support of a dedicated team who will advocate for you every step of the way.
Seneca Resources is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.