Senior Lead Network Engineer

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for the sustainment, operation, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise and mission network infrastructure supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs and operational environments. This role ensures the reliability, security, and performance of existing LAN/WAN and transport networks across distributed and mission-critical environments.

The Senior Network Engineer performs advanced troubleshooting, network performance monitoring, and operational support to maintain high availability and mission readiness. This position works closely with systems engineers, cybersecurity teams, and operational support staff to ensure stable network operations, resolve complex issues, and implement approved network improvements within established architectures.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and support enterprise LAN/WAN network infrastructure across program and mission environments
• Configure, operate, and sustain routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and cryptographic network devices
• Monitor network health, performance, and availability using enterprise monitoring and management tools
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for network outages, latency issues, and service disruptions
• Provide reach-back engineering support to Operations Support Staff to resolve complex network incidents and operational issues
• Capture and analyze network traffic to diagnose performance problems and support incident response activities
• Implement approved network configuration changes, upgrades, and patches to maintain network stability and security
• Maintain detailed network documentation, including:

• Physical and logical network diagrams

• IP addressing schemes

• Routing and transport configurations

• Network change logs

• Circuit identification and management records

• Support system integration, testing, and deployment activities for network-related components
• Participate in operational reviews, technical troubleshooting sessions, and engineering discussions
• Ensure network operations comply with DoD cybersecurity policies, RMF requirements, and STIG guidance
• Support vulnerability remediation and implementation of required security controls
• Identify operational risks and recommend practical improvements to enhance network reliability and performance
• Collaborate with systems engineering, cybersecurity teams, and government stakeholders to maintain mission system connectivity
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and operational support staff
• Support engineering analysis and technical inputs for program proposals or network sustainment efforts

Additional Qualifications (Preferred)

• Experience supporting DoD operational or ISR network environments
• Familiarity with AISR transport networks and mission data dissemination architectures
• Experience working within DISA-provided services and DoD transport environments
• Knowledge of RMF processes and STIG implementation within operational networks
• Experience with network virtualization technologies or software-defined networking environments
• Experience supporting cloud-hosted network environments and hybrid connectivity architectures

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline
• 8–12+ years of relevant networking experience in enterprise or mission environments
• Experience operating and sustaining enterprise network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, cryptographic devices)
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), VLANs, multicast, and network segmentation
• Experience using network monitoring and performance management tools
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex network issues in production environments
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of mesh networking technologies and transport mechanisms
• Ability to work independently while supporting operational teams and mission requirements
• Ability to manage multiple operational priorities within program cost and schedule constraints

Clearance & Travel Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance required
• CONUS and OCONUS travel will be required periodically
• Travel may include government facilities, operational sites, test locations, and training environments