Network Engineer

Job Title: Network Engineer

Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret Clearance (with eligibility for SCI)

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years or equivalent)

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer to support the administration, operation, and maintenance of enterprise-level network and network security infrastructure. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with System Owners, ISSOs, and technical SMEs to ensure the integrity, performance, and security of critical network environments, including those within the Department of Commerce (DOC).

Key Responsibilities:

Network Operations & Maintenance

• Administer and maintain routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
• Provide network support including monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving performance issues.
• Perform routine maintenance, upgrades, and configuration of Cisco, Dell, Palo Alto, and other network hardware.
• Support and troubleshoot LAN/WAN environments; develop and execute capacity planning strategies.
• Manage the deployment, integration, and optimization of network hardware and software.

Security & Compliance

• Implement and monitor network security controls including firewalls, VPNs, proxies, IDS/IPS, and TACLANEs.
• Assist in achieving and maintaining system security accreditations.
• Monitor for security incidents and compliance with agency standards and policies.

Design & Implementation

• Lead network architecture planning and integration projects from concept through deployment.
• Analyze and evaluate new technologies to improve network reliability, scalability, and performance.
• Implement fault-tolerant, high-speed network topologies suitable for complex enterprise environments.
• Design and support solutions such as load balancing, NAT, and firewall contexting.

System Support & Documentation

• Maintain detailed records of network configurations, maintenance activities, and performance metrics.
• Respond to and document incidents, outages, and problem resolutions.
• Collaborate with system engineers, software architects, and security professionals for system-wide integration

Required Qualifications:

• Clearance: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Certifications: Must hold one or more of the following:
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
  • Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) or higher
• Experience:
  • 10+ years of experience in network engineering or network administration
  • OR Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, cybersecurity principles, and enterprise IT operations.
• Experience with network monitoring tools and performance tuning.