Lead Network Engineer

Why This Opportunity?

This organization partners with U.S. federal government customers to drive technology transformation and strengthen mission performance. The team focuses on delivering secure, scalable, and high-performing solutions that enable visibility, protection, and optimization of agency infrastructure. As a trusted systems integrator and value-added reseller, the company provides best-in-class technologies, services, and solutions to the public sector. Its approach to designing and implementing secure IT environments is grounded in a people-first, collaborative culture. With an expansive portfolio of contracting vehicles, it offers integrated solutions that support mission success across Cyber Security, Cloud Infrastructure, and Network Performance.

The success of this organization is powered by its people—innovative, motivated, and passionate professionals who take pride in their work. Team members are supported through career growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a focus on work/life balance. The company values individuals who thrive in an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Lead Network Engineer to provide advanced technical expertise and leadership in the design, optimization, and operation of secure federal network infrastructures. The ideal candidate will possess deep experience in enterprise network engineering, incident prioritization, and technical team leadership within mission-critical environments. This role supports federal data center and OneNet operations and requires a proactive engineer who can effectively balance strategic planning with hands-on network engineering responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Design & Implementation: Architect, design, and implement operational network systems and prototypes that meet current and future federal engineering requirements. Ensure all network designs align with DHS standards and support secure, scalable, and high-availability operations.


• Operational Leadership: Prioritize and manage network outages, incidents, and projects to maintain continuous mission readiness. Provide technical leadership, direction, and mentorship to network engineering teams to ensure timely issue resolution and service delivery excellence.


• Network Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair LAN/WAN infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs, and wireless systems. Perform root cause analysis on complex network issues and lead efforts to prevent recurrence.


• Performance Optimization: Evaluate network principles, designs, and protocols to ensure optimal performance, availability, and resilience. Recommend and implement tuning, configuration, and modernization strategies to enhance efficiency and reliability.


• Collaboration & Coordination: Work closely with Network and Systems Engineers, OEMs, and DHS personnel to identify, define, and resolve technical or developmental problems. Coordinate with OneNet Engineering and Data Center (DC) teams to ensure interoperability and adherence to DHS enterprise network architecture.


• Change Control & Governance: Review and provide technical recommendations on all Infrastructure Change Control Board (ICCB) packets prior to submission. Ensure proposed changes are well-documented, technically sound, and coordinated with all relevant stakeholders to support smooth and compliant rollouts.


• Cloud Engineering & Migration : Support cloud networking and migration strategies to integrate on-premises networks with hybrid and cloud-based solutions (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud). Ensure secure connectivity and performance alignment between cloud and data center environments.


• Monitoring & Automation: Implement and leverage tools such as Aruba NetEdit, SolarWinds, and Ansible to automate configuration management, monitor network health, and streamline troubleshooting processes.


• · Security and Compliance: Ensure all network configurations and operations comply with federal security frameworks such as FISMA, NIST 800-53, and DHS-specific security policies. Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support Zero Trust network segmentation and continuous monitoring initiatives.


• Documentation & Reporting: Develop and maintain detailed network documentation, including architecture diagrams, configuration baselines, change records, standard operating procedures, and outage reports. Provide status and risk updates to leadership and project stakeholders.


• Collaboration & Communication: Partner with federal customers, project managers, and OEMs to deliver solutions aligned with mission objectives. Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.


• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay informed of evolving network technologies, DHS standards, and best practices. Recommend modernization initiatives and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the agency’s enterprise network.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Network Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Certifications:

• Aruba Certified Switching Associate (ACSA) required.


• Aruba Certified ClearPass Associate (ACCA) highly desirable.


• Aruba Certified Switching Professional (ACSP) or Aruba Certified Design Professional (ACDP) highly desirable.


• ITIL Foundation certification for process and change management highly desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of detailed technical experience in network engineering or related field within the past 7 years.


• Proven ability to prioritize network outages, projects, and team tasks to maintain operational continuity in mission-critical environments.


• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructures across LAN/WAN environments.


• Extensive knowledge of network principles, routing/switching protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), VLANs, VRFs, and network segmentation.


• Experience supporting federal enterprise networks (e.g., DHS OneNet), including coordination with Data Center (DC) and Infrastructure Change Control Board (ICCB) processes.


• Familiarity with cloud net


• working and migration strategies, including integration with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.


• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to analyze network data to identify trends and proactively mitigate risks.


• Hands-on experience with Aruba CX switches (6200, 6300, 6400, CX10000), Aruba Central, ClearPass, and related management tools preferred.
  

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and documentation skills.


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams.


• Adaptable to dynamic federal project environments.
  

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time within the continental U.S.

Security Clearance:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.


• Active clearance or EOD strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in an office environment.


• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.


• Must be able to lift, carry, or move up to 30 pounds regularly.