Leidos is seeking a motivated Junior Network Administrator to support the installation, configuration, and day-to-day management of enterprise network infrastructure. This role is an excellent opportunity for an early-career network professional to gain hands-on experience with routing and switching platforms, including Session Smart Router (SSR) / 128 Technology SD-WAN solutions, in a structured and security-conscious environment. The ideal candidate demonstrates a solid foundation in networking fundamentals, a willingness to learn vendor-specific technologies, and the discipline to operate within DoD network standards.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Assist in the configuration, deployment, and ongoing management of routers, switches, and Session Smart Router (SSR) appliances across enterprise and edge network environments.
- Support the design and implementation of routing policies, service policies, and traffic steering configurations on SSR/128 Technology platforms under senior engineer guidance.
- Perform LAN switching administration — including VLAN configuration, spanning tree, trunking, and port security — on Juniper EX Series and/or Cisco Catalyst platforms.
- Assist with the configuration and troubleshooting of routing protocols including OSPF and BGP (eBGP and iBGP) across enterprise WAN and data center environments.
- Monitor network health, availability, latency, and throughput using network management tools; escalate anomalies and assist in root cause analysis.
- Support configuration and maintenance of firewall rules, access control lists (ACLs), IPsec VPN tunnels, and other network security controls.
- Execute software and firmware upgrades, patch management, and lifecycle maintenance activities for network devices in accordance with change management procedures.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date network diagrams, device inventories, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Coordinate with senior network engineers, system administrators, and security personnel to resolve network incidents and support planned infrastructure changes.
- Participate in on-call rotation and assist with troubleshooting during network outages or degraded service events.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- Security Clearance: Must have a DoD TS/SCI Clearance
- Certification: DoD 8570/8140-compliant certification at IAT Level II - CompTIA Security+ CE required at minimum.
- Networking Fundamentals: Demonstrated understanding of OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, static routing), and WAN technologies.
- Switching Experience: Practical experience with LAN switching concepts on Juniper EX Series or Cisco Catalyst platforms, including VLANs, STP, and trunking.
- Education/Experience: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on experience and certifications.
- Soft Skills: Strong analytical and troubleshooting mindset, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment under supervision.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Juniper/Cisco Certifications: Juniper Networks Certified Associate (JNCIA-Junos) or progress toward JNCIS-ENT; Juniper SSR-specific training or certification a strong plus or Cisco CCNA.
- BGP Experience: Familiarity with Border Gateway Protocol — including eBGP and iBGP concepts, peer configuration, route policies, and basic troubleshooting in a multi-site or service provider-adjacent environment.
- SSR / 128 Technology: Exposure to Juniper Session Smart Router (formerly 128 Technology) platforms, including familiarity with session-based routing, service and tenant models, or WAN traffic steering concepts.
- LAN Switching Depth: Hands-on experience with advanced switching features such as RSTP/MSTP, LACP/LAG, Q-in-Q, or Layer 3 switching on either Juniper EX Series or Cisco Catalyst hardware.
- Network Security: Working knowledge of IPsec VPN configuration, zone-based firewall policies, or experience with Juniper SRX Series security platforms.
- Scripting & Automation: Basic familiarity with network automation tools or scripting (Python, Ansible, or Junos) for configuration management or compliance checks.
- Additional Certifications: CompTIA Network+, or other vendor-neutral networking credentials demonstrating a broad networking foundation.
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:June 15, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Skills Required
- DoD TS/SCI security clearance
- DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification (CompTIA Security+ CE)
- Understanding of networking fundamentals (OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, routing protocols including BGP and OSPF, WAN technologies)
- LAN switching administration experience on Juniper EX Series and/or Cisco Catalyst (VLAN, STP, trunking, port security)
- Configuration and troubleshooting experience with routing protocols (OSPF, BGP) across WAN and data center environments
- Experience configuring and maintaining firewall rules, ACLs, and IPsec VPNs
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or equivalent hands-on experience/certifications
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, clear written and verbal communication, ability to work in a team under supervision
- Juniper Networks Certified Associate (JNCIA-Junos), progress toward JNCIS-ENT, or Cisco CCNA
- Exposure to Juniper Session Smart Router (128 Technology) platforms and session-based routing concepts
- Hands-on experience with advanced switching features (RSTP/MSTP, LACP/LAG, Q-in-Q, Layer 3 switching)
- Working knowledge of Juniper SRX or other security platforms
- Basic familiarity with scripting and network automation (Python, Ansible, Junos)
- CompTIA Network+ or other vendor-neutral networking credentials
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
