Network Engineer

Emerald Technical Solutions•Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD

23h•$130•Onsite

About The Position

Emerald Technical Solutions is seeking a Network Engineer to support a mission-critical defense networking environment. This is an approximately 6-month assignment with strong potential to transition into a Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contract position as the follow-on contract is stood up. The Network Engineer will be responsible for the design, configuration, and maintenance of Cisco-based network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls, while ensuring network security compliance in accordance with DoD and DISA standards. This is a Tier 2/3 engineering role requiring deep expertise in routing, switching, VLAN management, and network security hardening.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI security clearance
Active IAT Level II Certification (CCNA, SSCP, CND, Security+ CE) or above; CCNA highly preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field; 10 years of relevant network engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree
Strong knowledge of network-attached Windows systems, including the configuration, tuning, and troubleshooting of network services (DNS, DHCP, Active Directory)
Knowledge of network virtualization technologies including virtual switches, distributed switches, and networking within VMware/KVM environments
Proficiency in Linux server administration as it relates to network services, tools, and repository management
Familiarity with DoD network security requirements, DISA guidelines, and network device STIG implementation
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to document complex network topologies and brief leadership
Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail regarding network configurations and IP address management (IPAM)
Strong time management and prioritization skills with the ability to meet strict deployment deadlines
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with coworkers, mission partners, and defense customers

Nice To Haves

Certified Network Defender (CND) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification
Experience working with defense networks within a secure DoD environment (e.g., SIPR, JWICS)
Familiarity with network automation and configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible for IOS/NX-OS, Puppet)
Experience with containerization technologies and understanding of their underlying overlay networking requirements (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes networking)
Network scripting skills in Bash and PowerShell to automate routine configuration backups and monitoring tasks
Familiarity with a diverse array of enterprise networking products and next-generation firewalls (e.g., Juniper, Ubiquiti, Palo Alto)

Responsibilities

Manage, configure, and maintain Cisco networking devices including routers, switches, and firewalls to ensure optimal data flow
Perform network-adjacent administration tasks on Windows-based management servers, domain controllers, and network monitoring tools
Handle comprehensive Tier 2/3 network engineering responsibilities including VLAN management, routing protocol optimization, and subnetting
Collaborate closely with the ISSO to implement and maintain network-level security measures, access control lists (ACLs), and firewall rules
Conduct regular patch management and firmware upgrades on routers, switches, and security appliances to eliminate vulnerabilities and maintain compliance
Perform STIGs assessments on network devices and implement required security controls to harden network infrastructure
Conduct regular network security audits, vulnerability scans, and traffic analyses, providing detailed reports to management
Troubleshoot complex network routing, switching, and connectivity issues to provide rapid, definitive resolutions
Ensure high availability, redundancy, and maximum throughput performance of critical defense networks and communication pathways
Perform deep-packet inspections and fact-finding missions to pinpoint network latency or throughput bottlenecks and engineer solutions
Build and maintain repositories of network diagrams, traffic trend analyses, configurations, and baseline data for operational continuity and archival purposes
Assist with network expansion projects, hardware refreshes, and architecture modernization initiatives as assigned
Monitor internal network deployment statuses to maintain operational accountability and communicate network readiness to management and stakeholders
Work with systems and security teams to ensure seamless network-to-application integration and cross-team functionality