ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Network Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

SHI

Principal IT Engineer - Networking

Austin, TX · On-site

Job Summary The Principal IT Engineer - Networking designs, implements, and operates enterprise ... Create and maintain network documentation (standards, diagrams, runbooks) and promote reuse and ...

Merck & Co.

Senior Network Engineer

College Station, TX · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Principal Accountabilities * Lead the day-to-day support and availability of the FUJIFILM Diosynth ... The Senior Network Engineer will require the ability to make, advise and drive decisions based on ...

New

Fujifilm

Senior Network Engineer

College Station, TX · On-site

$79K - $109K/yr

Position Overview The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for daily operational tasks within the ... Principal Accountabilities: * Lead the day-to-day support and availability of the FUJIFILM Diosynth ...

EOS

Principal Architect - Network Services

Dallas, TX · Hybrid

$170K - $200K/yr

ROLE SUMMARY We are seeking a Principal Architect for Network Services who will understand existing engineering standards and reference architectures. The ideal candidate will guide application teams ...

EOS

Principal Architect - Network Services

Dallas, TX · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

ROLE SUMMARY We are seeking a Principal Architect for Network Services who will understand existing engineering standards and reference architectures. The ideal candidate will guide application teams ...

1 point system

Network Engineer (Firewall)

Irving, TX · On-site

$45.75 - $61.50/hr

* Network Security Experience including work in firewalls, firewall rules/policies * Utilize subject ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Security Architecture, Principal Engineers, and ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsPrincipal Network Engineer JobsPrincipal Network Engineer Jobs in Texas

Principal Network Engineer information

See Texas salary details

$19.6K

$124.1K

$190.5K

How much do principal network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal network engineer in Texas is $124,137.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,000.00 and $147,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal network engineer?

Principal Network Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex network infrastructures within an organization. They lead network architecture initiatives, oversee security protocols, and ensure high availability and performance of network systems. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, set technical standards, and collaborate with other IT teams to align network solutions with business goals. Their expertise is crucial for maintaining reliable and scalable connectivity in large enterprises.

What does a principal network engineer do?

As a principal network engineer, you are responsible for the daily operations of a computer system. Your responsibilities are to install, organize, and support systems for an organization. The systems you work with often aid a company in its communications, as with local area networks and wide area networks. Other duties include the installation of hardware, regular system maintenance, and optimization of network performance. You might also train individuals in the use of relevant software or hardware. In some cases, you might help with email and data storage.

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

To thrive as a Principal Network Engineer, you need deep expertise in network architecture, routing and switching, security protocols, and typically a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with enterprise networking hardware, software-defined networking (SDN), firewalls, and certifications such as CCNP or CCIE are essential. Outstanding problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you manage complex projects and guide technical teams. These competencies are critical to ensuring reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructures that support organizational goals.

What are the main challenges principal network engineers face when leading large-scale network projects?

Principal Network Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating cross-functional teams, designing scalable solutions that align with business goals, and managing the integration of emerging technologies into existing infrastructure. Balancing competing priorities—like security, performance, and budget constraints—while ensuring minimal downtime is a common part of the role. Effective communication and leadership skills are essential, as Principal Network Engineers frequently serve as the technical authority and must guide both junior engineers and stakeholders through complex decisions.

What is the difference between Principal Network Engineer vs Network Architect?

AspectPrincipal Network EngineerNetwork Architect
CredentialsBS in Computer Science or related, Cisco/Juniper certificationsBS in Computer Science or related, Cisco/Juniper certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, implement, and troubleshoot network solutions within organizationsDesign overall network infrastructure and architecture for organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries for senior technical rolesUsed in enterprise and large organizations for planning network systems
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for senior technical expertiseCompared for strategic network planning roles

The main difference is that a Principal Network Engineer focuses on implementing and troubleshooting network solutions, while a Network Architect designs the overall network architecture and strategy. Both roles require similar certifications and work in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How much does a principal network engineer make in the US?

A principal network engineer in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and industry. They often hold advanced certifications like CCNP or CCIE and have extensive knowledge of network architecture, security, and troubleshooting tools.
More about Principal Network Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas are:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas?

For Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Network Engineer jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Principal Network Engineer jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Principal Network Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Network Engineer jobs in TX?

For Principal Network Engineer jobs in TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Principal Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Network Engineer job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,137 per year, or $59.7 per hour.

Principal IT Engineer - Networking

SHI International Corp.

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Us
Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We've grown every year since, and today we're proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.
Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI's concierge approach to help them solve what's next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees - all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you'll enjoy:
  • Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.
  • Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.
  • Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.
  • World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive - in our offices or yours.

Job Summary
The Principal IT Engineer - Networking designs, implements, and operates enterprise network solutions with a primary focus on Cisco and Meraki wired and wireless technologies. This role is responsible for the day-to-day reliability and performance of campus and branch connectivity, partners with security and infrastructure teams to integrate identity and access controls (e.g., Cisco ISE), and drives continuous improvement through standardization, documentation, and automation.
The Principal IT Engineer leads incident triage and resolution, executes change activities using established change-management practices (e.g., ServiceNow), mentors junior engineers, and contributes to technical direction and roadmap planning.
This position is hybrid and requires regular onsite presence in Somerset, NJ or Austin, TX, with scheduling determined by business needs.
Role Description
Wireless LAN (Cisco & Meraki)
  • Design, configure, and operate Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (e.g., Catalyst 9800 series) and Meraki wireless networks.
  • Plan and optimize RF designs (channel, power, roaming, capacity) and validate changes using surveys and spectrum analysis.
  • Implement and maintain SSIDs, guest access, segmentation, and wireless security standards aligned to corporate policies.
  • Troubleshoot complex wireless issues across controller, access point, client, and authentication layers; lead root-cause analysis and remediation.
  • Integrate wireless access with Cisco ISE (802.1X, MAB, posture/policy) to enforce identity-based access controls.
  • Monitor wireless health and user experience; define and improve alerts, KPIs, and operational runbooks.

Routing & Switching (LAN/WAN)
  • Design, implement, and maintain enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure, including campus and branch connectivity.
  • Configure, optimize, and troubleshoot routing and switching technologies (e.g., VLANs, STP, HSRP/VRRP, OSPF, BGP; EIGRP where applicable).
  • Operate Cisco switching and routing platforms (e.g., Catalyst, Nexus) and associated services (DHCP relay, DNS dependencies, NTP, QoS).
  • Engineer resiliency and high availability, including redundant paths, fast convergence, and failover testing, and document design decisions.
  • Monitor and analyze performance using telemetry and network-management methods (e.g., SNMP, NetFlow) to drive performance improvements.
  • Plan and execute upgrades, expansions, and lifecycle refreshes in partnership with site IT, security, and application stakeholders.

Operations, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead incident triage, escalation, and resolution for network-related events; perform root-cause analysis and implement preventative actions.
  • Maintain operational hygiene, including monitoring and alert tuning, capacity tracking, asset and configuration accuracy, and routine health checks.
  • Execute changes through established change-management processes (e.g., ServiceNow), including risk assessment, implementation planning, and backout procedures.
  • Create and maintain network documentation (standards, diagrams, runbooks) and promote reuse and standardization across sites.
  • Automate repeatable tasks and reporting using scripts and APIs; identify opportunities to reduce manual effort and improve reliability.
  • Partner with service desk teams and junior engineers to enhance troubleshooting workflows and knowledge-sharing resources.

Behaviors and Competencies
  • Communication: Can effectively communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences and can facilitate effective communication between others.
  • Adaptability: Can proactively adapt to challenging situations, anticipate changes, and make modifications to meet the demands of changing circumstances.
  • Self-Motivation: Can proactively seek out challenges, initiate self-development projects, and contribute to personal or professional innovative ideas.
  • Teamwork: Can lead a team effectively, facilitating cooperation, sharing information, and ensuring that all team members are able to contribute to their full potential.
  • Analytical Thinking: Can synthesize complex data, identify patterns, draw insights, and present findings clearly and understandably.
  • Detail-Oriented: Can manage complex tasks or projects, identifying errors or inconsistencies, and ensuring all details are addressed, necessary corrections are made, and quality is maintained.
  • Organization: Can effectively coordinate multiple projects, delegate tasks where appropriate, and employ advanced organizational tools and methods.
  • Problem-Solving: Can proactively identify potential problems, initiate preventive measures, and propose and contribute to innovative solutions.
  • Initiative: Can proactively seek out challenges, initiate projects, and contribute to innovative ideas.
  • Technical Troubleshooting: Can proactively seek out potential technical problems, initiate preventive measures, and contribute to innovative solutions.

Skill Level Requirements
  • Expert-level troubleshooting across Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking in enterprise environments.
  • Advanced ability to design, operate, and optimize wired and wireless enterprise networks (Cisco and/or Meraki).
  • Strong understanding of routing, switching, high availability, and network resiliency concepts.
  • Proficiency in identity and access integrations, including 802.1X, RADIUS/TACACS+, and network segmentation.
  • Ability to analyze network performance using telemetry and monitoring tools.
  • Experience managing firewall technologies, including policy configuration, NAT, VPN, and traffic analysis.
  • Knowledge of cloud networking concepts, including VPC/VNet design, routing, VPN connectivity, and security controls.
  • Familiarity with IT service management processes (incident, problem, and change management).
  • Scripting and automation capability using tools such as PowerShell, Python, or APIs.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Proven analytical problem-solving skills using structured troubleshooting methodologies.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders.
  • Mentorship capability to guide and develop junior engineers.
  • Ability to prioritize and adapt in a dynamic environment with competing operational and project demands.

Other Requirements
  • Completed Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field, or relevant work experience required
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience supporting and engineering enterprise networks.
  • Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and operating Cisco and/or Meraki wired and wireless environments.

Preferred
  • Cisco certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, and/or Meraki CMNA.
  • Experience with Cisco ISE design and policy administration in an enterprise environment.
  • Experience performing wireless surveys and using RF and spectrum analysis tools.
  • Experience with network automation, configuration management, or infrastructure-related tooling.

The estimated annual pay range for this position is $180,000 - $200,000 which includes a base salary. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.
Equal Employment Opportunity - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
SHI International logo

About SHI International

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

SHI International, located in Somerset, NJ, US, is a global provider of technology products and services. Operating in the Information Technology and Services industry, SHI offers comprehensive IT solutions ranging from software and hardware procurement, deployment planning, cloud-based services, IT asset management, and more to a diverse client base. Founded in 1989 by Thai Lee, the company has grown exponentially, amassing a deep pool of expertise and earning recognition as one of North America's top 15 largest IT solutions providers. Driven by a mission to help customers select, deploy, and manage technologies that drive productivity, profitability, and innovation, SHI cherishes its reputation as a cost-effective, customer-centric technology partner.

Industry

It services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Somerset, NJ, US

Year founded

1989

View All SHI International Jobs

Apply