Are you an experienced network engineer with a strong telecommunications networking background. The technician will be working in the operations group focused on implementing and maintaining AARNet’s IP, MPLS, switched and optical networks and assisting with the delivery of new services. The role will predominantly involve fault diagnostics and restoration, planned works management and the support and maintenance of the AARNet Network. The position will also involve some service commissioning and spares management. The role will require an independent self-sufficient worker with the ability to think on their feet and solve problems and issues as they arise. The candidate will need to be on call, from time to time, to support AARNet’s network after hours and be willing to travel around Australia at times with limited notice.
About AARNet
Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) was established in 1989 and is widely regarded as the founder of the Internet in Australia and renowned as the architect, builder and operator of world-class network infrastructure for research and education. As Australia’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). We connect over one million users — researchers, faculty, staff, students, hospitals, vocational training providers, schools and museums — across Australia. We are an organisation of innovators, doers, and courageous thinkers. We don’t settle for the status quo; instead, we anticipate the future needs of our customers and build solutions today. If you share our imagination, foresight, and drive to shape the future, why not come and join us?
www.aarnet.edu.au
The Role
This role would suit an experienced network engineer with a strong telecommunications networking background. The technician will be working in the operations group focused on implementing and maintaining AARNet’s IP, MPLS, switched and optical networks and assisting with the delivery of new services. The role will predominantly involve fault diagnostics and restoration, planned works management and the support and maintenance of the AARNet Network. The position will also involve some service commissioning and spares management. The role will require an independent self-sufficient worker with the ability to think on their feet and solve problems and issues as they arise. The candidate will need to be on call, from time to time, to support AARNet’s network after hours and be willing to travel around Australia at times with limited notice.
Responsibilities
Fault Diagnostics & Service Restoration
· Diagnose complex network faults and instigate solutions
· Be the front line to diagnose and restore services that are in a fault condition. The faults can be on dark fibre, passive CWDM and DWDM multiplexers, Metro Ethernet or customer Ethernet equipment. The faults can also be on long haul DWDM transmission and core IP routers.
· Work with customers, other AARNet staff and third parties to identify the cause of faults and work towards a resolution
· Field replace suspect and broken equipment. The broken component could be a power supply, fan, disk drive, line card, optic pack or an entire unit or chassis.
· Perform post fault analysis and reports to assist in identifying areas of concern and benefit faster resolution of future network issues.
· Ensure network availability and performance to meet Service Level Agreements
· Liaise with external suppliers, providers, and partners on faults
· Install software updates
· Patch new services, decommission old services
Documentation
· Complete internal service documentation and update relevant systems.
· Document new and exisiting network installations, configuration, and related information/data and test results
Hardware Management
· Upgrade existing hardware
· Ensure the availability of spare hardware
· Organise the order, replacement, and return of faulty hardware under warranty or service contract
· Attend data centres, remote sites and customer premises to replace or install new equipment
· Decomission old hardware
Operate and maintain the network
· Monitor and measure the network and identify areas to improve performance
· Maintain the network with hardware and software updates and upgrades
· Support, assist, and advise AARNet customers, the NOC, and other internal staff with network faults, design and planning and implementation.
Service Testing & Commissioning
· Install, commission and test new services
· Configure network switches, routers and other network devices Preparation and execution of testing and commissioning plans and procedures.
Expertise, experience & qualifications
· Degree in Engineering/Telecommunications or a related field or relevant industry experience.
· At least 5 years’ experience operating, managing and maintaining a carrier grade network at a national or regional level
· Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of network switching, routing and transmission technologies
· Must have experience with dynamic routing protocols such as BGP
· Experience working with optical fibre networks
· Experience in detecting and mitigating DDOS attacks
· Experience with operating test equipment such as OTDR’s and power meters is highly desirable.
· Significant experience with operational processes and procedures including: electronic communication, documentation and ticket systems; and planned installations and maintenance
· Must have experience working with CWDM and DWDM passive and active systems.
· Previous telecommunications experience as a network technician is desirable.
· Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
· Full Australian Drivers Licence
· First Aid Certificate and/or Remote First Aid Certificate desirable
Important skills
· Strong written and oral communication skills
· Logical approach to fault finding, trouble shooting and timely service restoration
· Adaptability to work within a variety of environments and on unexpected faults
· Able to work both autonomously and in conjunction with the wider network support team
Conditions of employment
AARNet is committed to diversity and providing equal opportunity to all. We’re a great place to work if you want to make a difference.
AARNet provides competitive remuneration and a host of other benefits including:
• 17% superannuation;
• Flexible work options;
• Options to purchase additional Annual Leave;
• 24 weeks paid – Maternity Leave;
• 24 weeks paid - Adoption Leave;
• 16 weeks paid – Paternity Leave;
• 20 days paid - Family & Domestic Violence Leave;
• 4 weeks paid - Death of a Child Leave;
• 4 weeks paid - Death of a Close Family Member Leave;
• 5 days paid – Natural Disaster Leave;
• Strong Equal Opportunity focus;
• Sector leader in Social Responsibility and Ethics; and
• A culture and company structure that allows your career to grow with access to leading edge technologies
- Published on 15 Sep 2025, 6:22 AM