Network Engineer

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $94,029.00 - $135,167.54 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

 

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

 

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

 

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for design, implementation, and advanced support of network infrastructure systems supporting the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). This position provides senior-level technical expertise ensuring reliable connectivity across facilities, operational environments, and enterprise systems.

The role supports complex network environments enabling transit operations, enterprise applications, and operational technology systems within a 24/7 organization. The Senior Network Engineer serves as a technical escalation point, leads infrastructure implementations, and contributes to modernization initiatives improving performance, security, and scalability. Working under general direction, this position exercises independent professional judgment in engineering solutions and resolving complex network challenges.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are standard for this position.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Network Engineering and Design

• Design and implement network infrastructure solutions supporting organizational needs.

• Configure and maintain routing, switching, wireless, and remote connectivity environments.

• Support scalable and resilient network architectures.

• Participate in infrastructure modernization initiatives.

• Develop technical standards and configuration practices.

Advanced Technical Support and Troubleshooting

• Serve as escalation point for complex network issues.

• Diagnose performance, connectivity, and reliability problems.

• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term solutions.

• Support incident response and service restoration activities.

• Analyze network performance metrics and trends.

Infrastructure Implementation and Optimization

• Lead deployment of network upgrades and expansions.

• Support integration of new facilities, systems, and operational technologies.

• Optimize network performance and capacity.

• Support adoption of cloud and hybrid networking solutions.

Operational Technology Connectivity Support

• Support network environments connecting operational systems such as fare, video, and communications platforms.

• Coordinate with Industrial Controls and Applications teams on integration requirements.

• Ensure reliable connectivity supporting field and facility technologies.

Security and Compliance Support

• Implement secure network configurations aligned with cybersecurity standards.

• Support vulnerability remediation and network hardening efforts.

• Collaborate with Cyber Security Manager on threat mitigation strategies.

• Promote secure access and segmentation practices.

Documentation and Technical Standards

• Maintain network diagrams and configuration documentation.

• Develop engineering procedures and best practices.

• Support knowledge transfer within infrastructure teams.

• Contribute to operational runbooks.

Collaboration and Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance to infrastructure staff and project teams.

• Collaborate with Solutions Architect on architectural alignment.

• Support Service Desk escalation resolution.

• Participate in cross-functional technology initiatives.

Core Competencies:

The position requires demonstrated competency in the following areas

Advanced Network Engineering

Demonstrates deep technical expertise in network architecture and implementation.

• Designs resilient solutions.

• Evaluates technical tradeoffs.

• Applies engineering best practices.

Systems Thinking

Understands relationships between infrastructure components and operational services.

• Anticipates downstream impacts.

• Designs for scalability and reliability.

• Supports integrated environments.

Technical Leadership Through Expertise

Influences outcomes through knowledge and collaboration.

• Mentors peers.

• Shares expertise.

• Promotes consistent standards.

Analytical Problem Solving

Applies structured analysis to complex technical challenges.

• Identifies systemic causes.

• Develops sustainable solutions.

• Improves long-term reliability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five (5) years experience supporting enterprise network environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting multi-site or operational technology networks.

• Experience with routing, switching, wireless, and network security technologies.

• Experience supporting cloud or hybrid networking environments.

• Industry certifications (e.g., CCNP or equivalent).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Network architecture and engineering principles.

• Routing, switching, and wireless technologies.

• Network monitoring and performance analysis tools.

• Network security fundamentals and segmentation strategies.

• Infrastructure integration practices.

Skill in:

• Designing and implementing network solutions.

• Troubleshooting complex connectivity issues.

• Interpreting performance data and diagnostics.

• Documenting technical configurations and procedures.

Ability to:

• Work independently on complex engineering tasks.

• Exercise professional judgment in technical decision-making.

• Communicate technical concepts effectively.

• Adapt to evolving infrastructure technologies.

• Support mission-critical operational environments.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work performed in office and technical environments with periodic visits to facilities and infrastructure locations.

• May require after-hours maintenance or incident response participation.

• Requires sitting, standing, walking, and occasional equipment handling.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.