What is a Network Engineer
A Network Engineer is one of the most sought-after IT roles. Responsible for Cisco, CCNA, CCNP. Demand grows year after year.
Required skills
- Cisco
- CCNA
- CCNP
- BGP
- OSPF
- SD-WAN
- firewall
EITT training path guides you step by step.
Career progression
- Foundations (0-6 mo) — basics: Cisco, CCNA
- Junior (6-18 mo) — first projects
- Mid (2-3 yr) — independence
- Senior (4+ yr) — architecture, leadership
Salary
Network Engineer rates in Poland 2026:
$3,000-7,000/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CCNA certification still worth getting in 2026?
Yes, CCNA remains one of the most respected entry-level networking certifications worldwide. It covers essential networking fundamentals including routing, switching, security basics, and automation. Even as the industry shifts toward cloud and software-defined networking, CCNA provides the foundational knowledge that all advanced networking concepts build upon.
How is network engineering changing with cloud adoption?
Cloud adoption is transforming network engineering from hardware-focused work to software-defined approaches. Network engineers now need skills in cloud networking (AWS VPC, Azure VNet), SD-WAN, and infrastructure as code. However, traditional networking knowledge remains critical because hybrid environments still rely on physical infrastructure and classic protocols.
What is the career progression for a network engineer?
The typical path starts as a junior network administrator handling basic troubleshooting and configuration. From there you progress to network engineer designing and implementing solutions, then to senior or lead roles focusing on architecture. Advanced careers branch into network security, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise architecture positions.
Do network engineers need to learn programming?
Yes, network automation is becoming a core skill. Python is the most important language for network engineers, used with libraries like Netmiko and NAPALM for device automation. Understanding APIs, YAML, and tools like Ansible for network configuration management is increasingly expected even at mid-level positions.
Training investment pays back in 3-6 months.
Start with EITT
EITT offers a complete Network Engineer training path — from basics to senior level. 500+ experts, 2,500+ trainings, 4.8/5 rating.