Networking Engineering Lead

Job Family:
Systems Engineering

Travel Required:
Up to 25%

Clearance Required:
Active Top Secret (TS)

We are seeking a highly experienced Network Engineering Lead to provide architectural leadership, engineering oversight, and operational support for mission-critical networks within secure federal environments. This role is responsible for designing, securing, optimizing, and troubleshooting enterprise and cloud-connected networks across on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments (Azure and AWS).

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in routing, switching, network security, and cloud networking with proven leadership experience guiding engineering teams in compliance-driven federal environments.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design, engineering, and modernization of enterprise network architectures supporting mission-critical federal systems.
• Architect and maintain LAN/WAN, data center, VPN, SD-WAN, and cloud networking integrations (Azure/AWS).
• Oversee network security architecture including firewalls, segmentation, IDS/IPS, NAC, and Zero-Trust-aligned policies.
• Develop and maintain routing/switching architectures using enterprise Cisco platforms and related technologies.
• Troubleshoot high-severity network incidents, performance issues, and cross-domain connectivity challenges.
• Implement secure cloud networking patterns (VNET/VPC design, ExpressRoute/Direct Connect, load balancing, peering, firewalling).
• Maintain and enforce network baselines, STIGs, NIST 800-53 controls, and RMF/ATO-aligned configurations.
• Produce detailed network diagrams, engineering documentation, SOPs, and configuration baselines.
• Mentor and guide network engineers; lead capacity planning, lifecycle strategies, and network modernization roadmaps.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, server, and application teams to ensure secure, resilient mission operations.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's Degree OR additional FOUR (4) years' experience in Lieu of degree.
• U.S. Citizenship
• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "TOP SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance with ability to obtain SCI
• Minimum of EIGHT (8) years of progressive experience in network engineering, network architecture, or infrastructure leadership
• Expert-level experience with Cisco networking platforms, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), switching, and WAN technologies
• Experience supporting secure federal, DoD, intelligence, or regulated environments
• Strong understanding of firewalls, segmentation, PKI, authentication, Zero Trust, and enclave design
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, drive engineering initiatives, and communicate with senior stakeholders
• Strong troubleshooting skills across complex, distributed network environments

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
• CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert - ideal)
• CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner)
• Cloud Networking Certifications (Azure Network Engineer Associate, AWS Advanced Networking Specialty)

Desired Additional Skills

• Experience with SD-WAN architectures (Cisco, Fortinet, VMware, etc.)
• Familiarity with hybrid identity and secure edge connectivity (SASE, ZTNA, VPN/SSL, PKI)
• Experience with network automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform)
• Knowledge of SIEM, monitoring, and observability tools (Splunk, Elastic, SolarWinds, CloudWatch, Azure Monitor)
• Understanding of IPv6 planning and federal IPv6 mandates
• Experience supporting multi-site, high-availability, and disaster-recovery network architectures

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Care.com annual membership
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1- or via email at All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse's Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant's dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.