// Certification Index2026 Edition
Network Engineering Cert Roadmap
The certs you should pursue depend less on the title and more on the kind of work you want to do. The networking world is also in flux right now — Cisco renamed DevNet to CCNA/CCNP/CCIE Automation in February 2026, Aruba retired its Mobility track for Campus Access in 2023, and Fortinet swapped numbered NSE levels for FCP/FCSS in late 2023.
Below are some of the more common network engineering paths and the credentials typically tied to each. This list isn't comprehensive — mostly built from my own research into where to point my next few years.
- Director of Network EngineeringCCIECCDEITIL 4 Strategic LeaderPMP
- Network ArchitectCCDECCIE EnterpriseCCNP Enterprise
- Network Solutions ArchitectCCDECCIE EnterpriseAWS SA ProAZ-305
- Senior Network EngineerCCNP EnterpriseJNCIP-ENTAruba ACP
- Network EngineerCCNACCNP EnterpriseJNCIS-ENTAruba ACA
- Network AdministratorCCNANetwork+JNCIA-Junos
- Junior Network EngineerNetwork+CCNAJNCIA-JunosFortinet FCA
- NOC EngineerCCNANetwork+ITIL 4 Foundation
- Network Field EngineerCCNANetwork+CWNAFortinet FCA
- Network Reliability Engineer (NRE)CCNP EnterpriseCCNP AutomationLFCS
- Network Automation EngineerCCNP AutomationRed Hat AnsiblePCEP/PCAP
- Network Programmability EngineerCCNA AutomationCCNP AutomationCCIE Automation
- Wireless Network EngineerCCNP EnterpriseCWNACWNEAruba ACP
- Voice & Collaboration EngineerCCNP CollaborationCCIE Collaboration
- SD-WAN EngineerCisco SD-WAN (300-415)Fortinet FCSSVersa
- Data Center Network EngineerCCNP Data CenterCCIE Data CenterJNCIP-DC
- Cloud Network EngineerAWS Advanced NetworkingAZ-700GCP PCNE
- Service Provider Network EngineerCCNP Service ProviderCCIE SPJNCIP-SP
- Network Security EngineerCCNP SecurityFortinet FCP/FCSSPCNSA/PCNSE
- Network Performance EngineerCCNP EnterpriseCCIE EnterpriseWireshark WCNA
- Pre-Sales Network EngineerCCIECCDEAruba ACPFortinet FCSS
- Network Implementation EngineerCCNACCNP EnterpriseJNCIS-ENT
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This list isn't exhaustive and shouldn't be treated as authoritative career advice. Cert relevance varies by employer, region, and specialization — a CCNP Enterprise carries different weight at an MSP, an enterprise IT shop, and a service provider. If you're currently in one of these roles and would swap a recommendation for a better one, I want to hear it — reach out via the contact page.