This article will introduce you to what a SDN Engineer is, the career information of a SDN Engineer and the necessary conditions to become a SDN Engineer.By reading this article, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the profession of SDN Engineer.

1. What is a SDN Engineer？

SDN (Software Defined Networking) engineers design, implement, and manage network infrastructure using software-based control and design and implement various components in SDN controllers, making network management more flexible, programmable, and efficient.

Other job duties for a SDN Engineer may include the following:

The SDN Network Engineer will be responsible for building, configuring, tuning, and implementing automation for the City's Software Defined Networking (SDN) environment. The Engineer will be responsible for provisioning network service configurations within the Software Defined Networking (SDN) platform, such as Palo Alto Firewall configurations, DNS/DHCP, Traffic Control, Dynamic Routing, ISE, Public Cloud Networking, High Availability configurations, LAN and WAN interfaces. They will manage the Software Defined Fabric, including the campus fabric, wired and wireless fabrics, and be responsible for integration with Cisco ISE. They will also design, build, and support the City's Data Center/WAN/LAN networks. The Engineer will provide functional guidance to the IS Engineer – Senior and other members of the team; provide functional and technical expertise to develop computer system scope and objectives; develop and/or modify procedures for problem solving using information systems; write detailed documentation of computer operations/sequencing of procedures; perform multiple software functions; and support hardware platforms. Work involves a highly technical and business functional area.

2. How much does a SDN Engineer Make?

According to data from ZipRecruiter on June 29, 2025, the average annual salary for Sdn engineers in the United States is $101,752. That's about $48.92 per hour. That's $1,956 per week or $8,479 per month. Annual salaries can be as high as $137,500 and as low as $39,000, but most safety net engineers currently make between $84,000 and $116,500 per year, with the highest earners making as much as $135,000 per year across the United States. The average salary range for safety net engineers varies widely (up to $32,500), which means there may be many opportunities for advancement and pay increases depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.

3. Job Outlook of SDN Engineer

The job outlook for SDN (Software Defined Networking) engineers is generally positive. On the one hand, an important factor in the network job market is the increasing use of automation technologies to perform various network-related tasks. This trend has prompted network professionals to invest more actively in training and reskilling to keep their skills competitive. On the other hand, the job market for network professionals is changing, with a decrease in demand for junior positions and an increase in demand for senior and specialized positions.

4. Similar Occupations of SDN Engineer

• Network Engineer
• Network Architect
• Network Administrator
• Cloud Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Security Engineer
• Systems Engineer

5. What Are the Qualifications to Become a SDN Engineer?

(1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

SDN (Software Defined Networking) engineer positions often require job seekers to have a bachelor's degree in software engineering or a related science, engineering, or mathematics field.

(2) Develop professional skills

• Programming languages: Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, etc.
• Web development: HTML, CSS, React
• Version control: Git
• Database management: SQL
• Software methods: Agile, DevOps

(3) Earn Industry Certifications

Obtaining a certification that is highly recognized by the industry can prove your professional ability and ability to perform the position, and can also enhance your competitiveness in the workplace. Therefore, we recommend that you obtain the DevNet Expert certification. DevNet Expert certification can prove you can design and develop advanced network automation solutions through the entire network lifecycle, from concept and deployment to operation and optimization. Become a leader in a range of NetDevOps roles with the DevNet Expert certification.