SMX is seeking a Senior Network Administrator to support enterprise network infrastructure and operations at NAS Patuxent River, MD.
This full-time, hybrid position requires an active Top Secret clearance and involves maintaining the performance, availability, and security of critical network infrastructure within a DoD environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in enterprise networking, network security technologies, and troubleshooting complex network environments, with hands-on experience supporting Cisco, Juniper, F5, or Palo Alto platforms.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Administer, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and network security appliances
- Support the configuration, maintenance, and optimization of Cisco, Juniper, F5, and Palo Alto networking technologies to ensure reliable and secure network operations
- Monitor network performance, availability, and traffic patterns to proactively identify connectivity issues, performance degradation, and potential security concerns
- Troubleshoot complex network issues involving routing, switching, network protocols, firewall policies, and connectivity across enterprise environments
- Implement and maintain network configurations, access controls, and security policies to support operational requirements and protect critical infrastructure
- Support network security monitoring and incident response activities, including reviewing alerts, analyzing network traffic, and coordinating remediation efforts
- Perform network maintenance, software updates, configuration changes, and vulnerability remediation in accordance with established procedures and security requirements
- Collaborate with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and engineering teams to resolve technical issues, implement improvements, and maintain operational readiness
- Support network assessments, configuration reviews, and compliance activities to ensure alignment with applicable DoD cybersecurity requirements
- Develop and maintain network diagrams, technical documentation, configuration records, and standard operating procedures
Required Skills & Experience
- Clearance Required: Top Secret
- A secret clearance may be considered to start, but candidates must be eligible for upgrade to Top Secret
- US Citizenship is required for work on DOW contracts
- Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise networking technologies, including Cisco, Juniper, F5, and/or Palo Alto platforms
- CompTIA Security+ or higher-level qualifying certification (CySA+, SecurityX, CISSP, or equivalent)
- Experience administering and troubleshooting enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and network security appliances
- Strong understanding of TCP/IP, routing and switching, VLANs, network protocols, and enterprise network architecture
- Experience troubleshooting complex network connectivity, performance, and configuration issues
- Familiarity with network monitoring, traffic analysis, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and network security best practices
- Experience implementing network configurations, access controls, and security policies
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills
Desired Skills & Experience
- Experience supporting large-scale enterprise networks, including network segmentation, firewall administration, and traffic management
- Familiarity with SIEM platforms, IDS/IPS, vulnerability management, and network security monitoring tools
- Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements, DISA STIGs, and secure network configuration practices
- Experience supporting classified networks or enterprise infrastructure within a DoD environment
- Additional industry certifications such as CompTIA SecurityX, CISSP, or other advanced networking and cybersecurity credentials
#cjpost #LI-HYBRID
The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.
At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.
We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.
SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.
Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.
SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
Skills Required
- Active Top Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise networking technologies
- Experience with Cisco, Juniper, F5, and/or Palo Alto platforms
- CompTIA Security+ or higher-level qualifying certification, such as CySA+, SecurityX, or CISSP
- Experience administering and troubleshooting enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and network security appliances
- Strong understanding of TCP/IP, routing and switching, VLANs, network protocols, and enterprise network architecture
- Experience troubleshooting complex network connectivity, performance, and configuration issues
- Familiarity with network monitoring, traffic analysis, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and network security practices
- Experience implementing network configurations, access controls, and security policies
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills
- Experience supporting large-scale enterprise networks, including segmentation, firewall administration, and traffic management
- Familiarity with SIEM, IDS/IPS, vulnerability management, and network security monitoring tools
- Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements, DISA STIGs, and secure network configuration practices
- Experience supporting classified networks or DoD enterprise infrastructure
- Additional advanced networking or cybersecurity certifications
SMX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SMX and has not been reviewed or approved by SMX.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Salary ranges are publicly listed on many postings and a pay transparency statement clarifies how location, contract, and credentials influence offers. This visibility helps set clear expectations around compensation.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — About four weeks of PTO plus 11 paid federal holidays are highlighted in careers materials. Paid military leave on some roles further expands time‑off coverage.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a dollar‑for‑dollar match on the first 5% and immediate vesting is called out in role descriptions. Traditional and Roth options support long‑term savings.
SMX Insights
What We Do
SMX is a global technology and advanced engineering provider specializing in Cloud Solutions, C5ISR, and Advanced Engineering / IT. Our tradition of delivering innovative, technical solutions dates back to 1995, however, you may know us better by one of our legacy company names: Trident Technologies, Smartronix, Datastrong, or C2S Consulting Group. With the support of OceanSound Partners, our private equity investment sponsor, we began operating as one business starting in 2019 and became SMX in 2021. We operate in close proximity to our clients around the globe and have core locations in Alabama, California, the DC Metro, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Today, as SMX, we are one team and together empower government and commercial enterprises to become more effective, innovative, and resilient, no matter what challenges they face. SMX offers competitive benefits, excellent work environments, and growth opportunities for our employees while continuing to expand operations and support our communities. We have more than 25 years of rapid and consistent growth with continuous recognition as an employer-of-choice technology company. In addition, we have earned coveted industry quality and business certifications; have a strong commitment to business partnerships, ethics, compliance, and sustainability; and have a multitude of premier contracting vehicles. The combination of these attributes allows us to provide sound, repeatable business solutions yet remain flexible and agile to quickly adapt to specific customer requirements. Committed to ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction, SMX is structured around the programs and technologies we support to provide optimal and seamless operations. We have maintained a reputation for excellence, helping to assure the missions of our Department of Defense, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other Government and commercial customers.
