Network Engineer
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Job description
Network Engineer
Stanowisko: Network Engineer
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About the Position
We are looking for a skilled Network Engineer to join our team in Poland, responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining network infrastructure.
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About the Company
Współpracuj ze SmartWays – rozwiń skrzydła
What You Gain by Working with Us
- Partner relationships
- Knowledge and experience exchange
- Reports needed to make business decisions
- Listening to your needs
20+ people
in the team
6 years
of experience in the market
3000
satisfied clients
About the Role
Network Engineer
Network Engineer is an infrastructure specialist responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the company's network infrastructure – from routing and switching, through firewalls, to VPN connections and wireless networks. The role combines deep technical knowledge with responsibility for the continuity and security of data transmission.
On the Polish IT market, the demand for network engineers remains high – especially in the financial, telco, manufacturing sectors, and companies with extensive on-premise and hybrid infrastructure (cloud + own data center). Recruitment of mid-level Network Engineers takes realistically 3-4 weeks because the pool of candidates with Cisco certification (CCNA/CCNP) and experience in production environments is limited. Increasingly, companies are looking for profiles combining network competencies with automation (Python, Ansible) and cloud networking basics.
Key Responsibilities
The scope of tasks for a network engineer includes both design work and maintenance and incident response. Below are the most common duties for a mid-level position:
- Configuration and management of routers and switches (Cisco, Juniper, HPE Aruba)
- Implementation and maintenance of routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP) and VLANs
- Configuration of firewalls and security policies (Fortinet, Palo Alto, Checkpoint)
- Design and maintenance of site-to-site and remote access VPN connections
- Network performance monitoring and traffic analysis (SolarWinds, Zabbix, Wireshark)
- Diagnosis and resolution of network incidents at L2/L3
- Automation of device configurations using Python and Ansible
- Management of wireless networks (WLAN, Wi-Fi controllers)
- Documentation of network architecture and operational procedures
- Support for migration to SD-WAN solutions and cloud networking (AWS/Azure)
Required Skills and Experience
A mid-level candidate should combine solid network fundamentals with practical experience in production environments and growing automation skills. Below is a matrix of the most commonly required competencies:
| Competency | Required Level | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Routing & Switching | Advanced | OSPF, BGP, VLAN, STP – production configuration |
| Cisco Certification | Required CCNA, CCNP preferred | Proven knowledge, current certification |
| Firewalls / Security | Intermediate | Fortinet, Palo Alto, or Checkpoint |
| VPN & Tunneling | Advanced | IPsec, site-to-site, remote access |
| Automation | Basic / Intermediate | Python, Ansible, configuration scripts |
| Monitoring | Intermediate | Zabbix, SolarWinds, Wireshark, SNMP |
| Cloud Networking | Basic | VPC, VNet, hybrid connectivity (AWS/Azure) |
| Work Experience | 3-5 years | Experience with production infrastructure |
| English Language | B2 | Documentation, communication with vendors |
| Troubleshooting | Advanced | L2/L3 diagnostics under time pressure |
Salary and Market Range 2026
A mid-level Network Engineer in Poland earns 11,000–18,000 PLN gross/month under an employment contract, while B2B contract rates reach 130-190 PLN/h. The range varies based on the following factors:
- Location – Warsaw and Kraków offer 10-15% more than smaller centers
- Industry – telco, banking, and data centers pay above the median
- Certifications – CCNP or Fortinet/Palo Alto certification increases the rate by 1,500-2,500 PLN
- Automation – Knowledge of Python/Ansible increases the market value of the profile
- Work Model – Willingness to on-call duties and work in a 24/7 environment
The standard benefits package includes private medical care, a sports card, a training and certification budget (often covering Cisco exams), hybrid work, and an on-call allowance. Network engineer work under a B2B contract usually comes with a higher rate at the expense of some non-salary benefits.
Recruitment Process with Smartways.io for Network Engineer
We conduct headhunting for Network Engineers based on a precisely defined technical profile and a structured process that shortens the hiring time. We follow these steps in sequence:
- Briefing and Profile (Days 1-3) – We establish technical requirements, stack, certification level, and range
- Search and Selection (Days 4-12) – Active headhunting in our network engineer database and initial verification
- Technical Interviews (Days 13-18) – Evaluation of routing/switching, security, and automation competencies
- Shortlist Presentation (Days 19-22) – 3-4 verified candidates with a competency report
- Offer Support and Onboarding (Days 23-28) – Negotiations, offer acceptance, and process closure
Overall, the process closes within 3-4 weeks from briefing to signed offer. The entire process guarantee allows us to minimize the risk of unsuccessful recruitment.
FAQ – Common Questions About the Network Engineer Position
How Much Does a Network Engineer Earn in Poland in 2026?
A mid-level network engineer earns 11,000–18,000 PLN gross/month under an employment contract, and on a B2B contract, hourly rates are 130-190 PLN/h depending on certification and location.
What Certifications Are Most Important for Hiring a Network Engineer?
The most valued are Cisco certifications (CCNA as a minimum, CCNP for advanced profiles) and firewall manufacturer certifications such as Fortinet NSE or Palo Alto PCNSE.
How Does a Network Engineer Differ from a Cloud Engineer?
A Network Engineer focuses on physical and logical network infrastructure (routing, switching, firewalls), while specialists like GCP Engineers focus on cloud networks and services. Increasingly, these roles overlap in hybrid environments.
How Long Does It Take to Recruit a Network Engineer Through Smartways.io?
The process from briefing to signed offer closes within 3-4 weeks. We typically present a shortlist of 3-4 verified candidates around the 3rd week.
Does a Network Engineer Need to Know Programming?
At the mid-level, basic automation knowledge is expected – familiarity with Python and Ansible for scripting configurations. This is not application programming like in the case of a Mobile Developer, but automation of network operations.
Is It Worth Hiring a Network Engineer on a B2B or Employment Contract?
The B2B model offers greater flexibility and rate, suitable for implementation projects. An employment contract better supports maintenance roles with on-call duties and constant responsibility for infrastructure.
Hire a Network Engineer
Our specialists are ready to join your team.
Zatrudnij
Stanowisko: Network Engineer
Możemy w krótkim czasie przesłać Ci dobrych kandydatów. Skontaktuj się z nami
Zatrudnij
SmartWays Sp. z o.o. - 2026 - wszelkie prawa zastrzeżone.
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IT,Finance,Sales,Purchasing,Other industries
About the Company SmartWays Recruitment offers bespoke and scalable recruitment solutions tailored to the evolving needs of businesses across various industries. The company focuses on recruitment within EMEA markets but delivers projects globally. Their services include direct search, contracting, body leasing, executive search, recruitment process outsourcing, and HR on-demand services. Products, Services & Tech Stack Core Solutions: Direct Search Contracting Body Leasing Executive Search Recruitment Process Outsourcing HR on-demand Project Scope & Target Clients Client Base: IT Finance Sales Purchasing Other industries Engineering Scale: Projects for large corporations, small businesses, and start-ups.