Network Engineer

Network EngineerLocation: Oxon Hill, MD (National Harbor) - 5 days a week on siteDuration: Contract to Perm HireKey Skills:Does not require any sponsorship now and in future.LCAT- Bachelors & 7 years of experience, 5 years with MS and 11 years with no degree.Ideally has govt./federal experience, though not required.Strong network engineering fundamentals required.Experience managing enterprise network environments.Hands-on expertise with routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and wireless.Looking for a true "technologist," not just a network engineer.Comfortable serving as the go-to IT resource for the team.Willing to support technical projects outside of networking.Looking for someone excited to wear multiple hats and make a broad impact on the program.The successful candidate will serve as a key technical resource responsible for managing and optimizing network infrastructure while also supporting a variety of technical initiatives across the environment. We are looking for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, takes ownership of technical challenges, and is eager to expand beyond traditional network engineering responsibilities.Key Responsibilities:Design, implement, administer, and maintain enterprise network infrastructure supporting operations.Manage routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, wireless networks, and network security technologies.Monitor network performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure system availability and reliability.Serve as the primary technical resource for networking-related projects and initiatives.Support technical efforts outside of networking, including infrastructure modernization, cloud initiatives, systems administration, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.Collaborate with engineers, administrators, program leadership, and stakeholders to deliver mission-focused solutions.Identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical issues across multiple technology domains.Recommend and implement improvements to infrastructure, security, performance, and operational efficiency.Document network architectures, configurations, operational procedures, and technical solutions.Stay current on industry trends, technologies, and best practices that can enhance mission support.Required Qualifications:Strong network engineering experience supporting enterprise environments.Expertise with routing, switching, firewalls, VPN technologies, wireless networking, and network troubleshooting.Experience managing and maintaining network infrastructure in complex operational environments.Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical challenges.Excellent communication and collaboration skills.Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to contribute beyond a narrowly defined role.Preferred Qualifications:Knowledge of cloud technologies such as AWS or Azure.Experience with cybersecurity principles, security tools, or infrastructure hardening.Familiarity with systems administration, virtualization, automation, or DevOps concepts.Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, Security+, Network+, AWS, or Azure certifications.