Network Engineer SME - Top Secret Clearance REQUIRED

i3 • Chantilly, VA

2d

About The Position

The Network Engineer (SME) serves as the principal authority for network architecture, zero-trust network design, and cross-enclave interoperability. This role leads the design, implementation, and optimization of resilient, secure network infrastructures supporting mission-critical operations. The SME provides strategic and technical leadership in network modernization, security architecture, and performance optimization while ensuring secure and reliable communications across complex, multi-enclave environments.

Requirements

• Bachelors required
• Minimum 10 years experience
• Extensive experience designing and supporting enterprise network environments.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, network security, and access control technologies.
• Experience implementing zero-trust architectures and secure communications solutions.
• Advanced troubleshooting and network performance analysis skills.
• Experience supporting mission-critical, highly secure, or regulated environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Air-gapped hybrid cloud and on‑premises operational environments, including complex multi‑enclave ecosystems
• AWS GovCloud/SC2S/C2S and GCP cloud platforms
• Nutanix host and cluster configuration, management with Prism Central, and NDFS configuration/management
• Cisco switching, routing, firewalling, and site-to-site functionality (such as IPSEC, DMVPN, and SD-WAN)
• Locally hosted GPU servers
• Multi-tenant Cross-Domain Solutions (CDS)
• Infrastructure‑as‑Code (Terraform, Ansible)
• Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)
• Cloud‑native security implementation and security accreditation processes
• Advanced GitLab CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices
• Enterprise database services (RDS, RDS Aurora, DynamoDB)
• Serverless architectures (Lambda)
• Cloud networking and VPC configuration
• Monitoring, logging, and data platforms (Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Splunk)
• Microservices architecture and API Gateway implementation
• Development experience with Python, .NET/C#, and related languages
• Identity and access services (Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP / OpenLDAP, Entra ID, Keycloak)
• High‑assurance cross‑domain and encryption solutions (TACLANE, NCAP)
• Cloud cost‑optimization techniques
• Operating Systems: Linux (e.g., Rocky, RedHat, Amazon, Ubuntu), Windows, and Mac OS

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Experience supporting federal, defense, intelligence, or classified network environments.
• Expertise with multi-enclave or cross-domain network architectures.
• Experience with cloud networking, software-defined networking (SDN), and hybrid cloud environments.
• Knowledge of security accreditation processes and compliance frameworks.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, JNCIP, JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise network architectures that support secure, mission-critical operations.
• Lead zero-trust network design initiatives and cross-enclave interoperability solutions.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, and security across complex, multi-enclave environments.
• Establish and enforce network security architecture standards and governance processes.
• Drive network modernization efforts aligned with enterprise strategy and zero-trust principles.
• Ensure secure communications and connectivity across classified and highly regulated environments.
• Provide technical leadership for network infrastructure planning and implementation.
• Partner with security, architecture, and operations teams to maintain resilient network systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior