Staff/Principal Network Engineer (HHS)

Skylight

99d • $90,000 - $230,000

About The Position

At Skylight, network engineers design and operate the secure, resilient infrastructure that modern digital services depend on. They modernize networks, strengthen connectivity, and embed security and compliance from the ground up. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching one of the most ambitious transformations in government — and this is a rare chance to be part of it. You’ll join a high-impact team of product managers, researchers, designers, engineers, and security experts working side-by-side with HHS leadership to modernize the systems people rely on to access healthcare, strengthen cybersecurity that protects personal data, launch digital services used by tens of millions every day, and integrate data and AI responsibly into daily work across the department so teams at every level can make smarter, safer decisions. As a network engineer on this project, you’ll help re-architect enterprise networks with technologies such as software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and distributed design. You’ll improve performance, reliability, and security while ensuring compliance with federal standards. Just as importantly, you’ll prepare federal teams to sustain these improvements by sharing knowledge and practices that last — from training and enablement to reusable tools like templates, playbooks, and decision records.

Requirements

• Experience designing, implementing, and operating enterprise-scale networks
• Familiarity with modern networking approaches such as SD-WAN or distributed network design
• Understanding of network security and compliance requirements in regulated environments
• Experience monitoring and improving reliability, performance, and availability in production networks
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional technical teams
• Commitment to equipping federal teams with documentation, training, and mentoring so improvements last beyond the contract
• Ability to work effectively in a professional services environment
• Passion for improving public outcomes through secure, resilient government services
• A mindset and work approach that align with Skylight’s core values

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cloud networking in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or similar platforms
• Familiarity with compliance and security frameworks such as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) or the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA)
• Experience supporting modernization or migrations in highly regulated environments
• Track record of mentoring network engineers or building networking practices across organizations
• Experience working effectively on hybrid or distributed teams
• Ability to spend time on-site at HHS in Washington, DC — either by being based locally or by traveling periodically for in-person collaboration

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate secure, resilient network infrastructure to support enterprise services
• Re-architect networks with approaches such as SD-WAN and distributed design to improve scalability and performance
• Integrate security and compliance from the start, including Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) standards where applicable
• Monitor and improve reliability, performance, and availability using metrics, logs, and alerts
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and security teams to ensure networks align with mission and technical needs
• Help federal teams sustain improvements by delivering training and enablement, and by leaving behind reusable resources such as templates, playbooks, and decision records

Benefits

• Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, health savings account
• Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 10% of your salary with no vesting period
• Flexible paid time-off-policy (generally around 25 days per year), plus 11 paid federal holidays
• Up to 12 weeks paid-time-off for all eligible new birth, adoption, or foster parents
• Performance rewards, including annual salary increase, annual performance bonus, spot bonuses, and stock options
• Business development / sales bonuses
• Referral bonuses
• Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development
• Annual $750 allowance for tech-related purchases
• Annual swag budget of $100 to display your Skylight pride with some merchandise (hoodies, hats, and more)
• Dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching, up to $500 per year
• Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
• An environment that empowers you to unleash your superpowers for public good

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees