Network Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineer *Due to the nature of the work, must be US citizens and also local to Washington, DC since it is onsite. Supports the daily operations of the agency's network infrastructure. This role focuses on monitoring, maintenance, and Tier 1-2 network troubleshooting. The candidate will work under the guidance of the Senior Network Engineer to ensure network availability and performance. Position requires on-site support 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Support and maintain LAN/WAN, network devices, UPS, and environment monitoring system for DC headquarters facility and 52 field offices. Install, Configure, and troubleshoot network equipment including Cisco routers, switches, Meraki wireless, and Palo Alto firewall appliances. Support Internet connection and Zscaler remote access service for users and LAN-to-LAN IPSec connections to partner networks and dedicated WAN connection, e.g. vendor hosted site and Microsoft ExpressRoute connection. Perform daily monitoring of network health using ManageEngine/OpManager/Netflow and Configuration Manager. Create and update SOPs and various configuration tracking documents on a regular basis. Handle routine network troubleshooting (physical and logical connectivity issues, port configurations, VLAN assignments). Coordinate with local teams and vendors, problem-solve and restore service as needed. Monitor Palo Alto firewall logs to identify and report traffic anomalies. Troubleshoot WAN/MPLS circuit issues and open tickets with ISPs. Qualifications: Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field plus 3+ years of relevant work experience in network support. Additional experience can be substituted for a degree. Requires the following experience: Cisco Routing/Switching: Strong working knowledge of Cisco IOS, StackWise cabling/logic, and EtherChannel troubleshooting. Firewalls: Basic understanding of Palo Alto firewalls and the ability to navigate and operate Panorama for monitoring purposes. Cloud & VPN: Familiarity with IPSec VPN concepts and connectivity to Microsoft Azure. Wireless: Experience operating and troubleshooting Cisco Meraki wireless solutions. Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to diagnose Layer 1–7 issues (cabling, IP conflicts, network loop, routing, etc.). Must be available for weekend maintenance events and emergency outages. Must be engaging and proactive with critical thinking, strong desire to learn, and problem-solving ability, both independently and as part of a team. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to present ideas and reports clearly in English, both orally and in writing Experience supporting a nationwide mid-sized Federal agency enterprise is a plus. CCNA certification is highly desired. Must obtain agency suitability clearance prior to start date. We offer Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Short-Term Disability, Accident, Term Life, Whole Life, and 401k for all W2 Consultants. A benefit overview will be provided as requested.