Associate Network Engineer

About This Role

Cisco is hiring Associate Network Engineers to join its global networking and infrastructure teams. You will design, configure, and troubleshoot network solutions for Cisco's internal systems and support customer-facing deployments using Cisco's industry-leading routing, switching, and SD-WAN platforms.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Associate Network Engineer
• Company: Cisco
• Location: San Jose, CA / Research Triangle Park, NC / Austin, TX / Atlanta, GA / Chicago, IL
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Entry-level (0–2 years)
• Salary Range: $28–$40/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-06
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-06

Role Context

Cisco's associate network engineers begin with an onboarding program that covers Cisco networking fundamentals and lab environments. You will work on tickets ranging from configuration changes to root cause analysis for production network issues. Cisco funds CCNA and CCNP certifications for all associate engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Configure and manage routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless infrastructure using Cisco IOS/NX-OS
• Troubleshoot network performance, connectivity, and routing issues across LAN/WAN environments
• Monitor network health using Cisco DNA Center, SolarWinds, or similar tools
• Support SD-WAN deployments and Meraki cloud-managed network rollouts
• Document network topologies, changes, and incident reports accurately
• Assist with capacity planning and network upgrade projects

Requirements & Skills

• Bachelor's in Computer Networking, Computer Science, IT, or a related field
• Understanding of OSI model, TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, and Spanning Tree
• Familiarity with network security concepts — ACLs, NAT, VPNs, firewalls
• CCNA certification is preferred but not required
• Hands-on lab experience with Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $28–$40/hr with Cisco stock awards and annual bonus
• CCNA/CCNP certification funding and exam reimbursement
• Hybrid schedule with lab and office access at Cisco campuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with Cisco match and generous paid time off

Who Should Apply

Recent graduates who are passionate about networking and want to build expertise on the world's most widely deployed network hardware. Ideal for candidates who enjoy methodical troubleshooting and want a clear CCNA-to-CCNP-to-CCIE career progression.

About the Company

Cisco Systems is the global leader in enterprise networking, security, and collaboration technology. Its hardware and software power the internet infrastructure for governments, universities, hospitals, and enterprises in 165+ countries.

How to Apply

Search "Associate Network Engineer" on Cisco Jobs. Cisco's process includes a technical networking screen and a panel interview covering routing, switching, and troubleshooting scenarios.