Network Engineer

Network EngineerLocation: Washington, DC - Herbert C. Hoover Building, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230 - 100% onsite Agency: Dept of Commerce Clearance: Top Secret (w/ ability to obtain SCI)The Network Engineer will be capable of providing administration, operation, and maintenance of network devices (such as routers, switches, and load balancers) and of network security devices (such as firewalls, IDS's, and proxies). The contractor will work with System Owners, Information System Security Officers (ISSO), and with network, security, and virtualization Subject Matter Experts to administer these types of devices deployed within DOC network environments. The contractor will be expected to conduct research on any topics required to enhance their understanding of required concepts to be able to perform administration duties. Works on the analysis of customer requirements and development of integrated IT/network solutions. Entails complete network system responsibilities associated with the entire life cycle of network development. This includes leading team activities from conceptual design to integration and enhancement of networks. Work with other elements/functions of system design team including software architects and systems engineers, to perform system analyses, performance trades, requirements development and decomposition. Subsequently develop and integrate solutions for the network connectivity and interaction of systems. The Contractor shall provide network operational support and maintenance, to include, but not limited to:Provide technical guidance for directing and monitoring information systems operations.Designs, builds, and implement network systems.Update and maintain routers, switches, and firewalls.Direct compilation of records and reports concerning network operations and maintenance.Troubleshoot network performance issues.Analyze network traffic and provides capacity planning solutions.Monitor and respond to complex technical control facility hardware and software problems.Interfaces with vendor support services groups to ensure proper escalation during outages or periods of degraded system performance.Manage the testing, installation, and support of network communications, including Local Area Network (LAN)/Wide Area Network (WAN) systems.Perform system-level design and configuration or products including determination of hardware, Operation System (OS) and other platform specifications.Plan large-scale systems projects through vendor comparison and cost studies.Perform a variety of systems engineering tasks and activities that are broad in nature and are concerned with major systems design, integration, and implementation, including personnel, hardware, software, budgetary, and support facilities and/or equipment.Provide quality assurance review and the evaluation of new and existing software products.Aid and oversight for all information systems operations activities, including computer and telecommunications/communications operations, data entry, data control, LAN/WAN administration and operations support, operating systems programming, system security procedures, and/or web strategy and operations.Provide input to policy level discussions regarding standards and budget constraints.Supervise all personnel engaged in the operation and support of network facilities, including all communications equipment on various platforms in large-scale or multi- shift operations.Supervise complex operations that involve two or more additional functions such as, but not limited to, network operations, system security, systems software support, and production support activities.Monitor and respond to hardware, software, and network problems.Provide the routine testing and analysis of all elements of the network facilities (including power, software, communications machinery, lines, modems, and terminals).Utilize software and hardware tools and identifies and diagnosis complex problems and factors affecting network performance.Troubleshoot network systems when necessary and makes improvements to the network.Maintain network monitoring software across NS3 networks.Aid in all aspects of network management from network design through implementation, maintenance, and upgrading of existing networks.Analyze design, specifications, and related documents.Implement communication system requirements to support the distributed functionality of a software engineering environment.Analyze NS3's network characteristics (e.g. traffic connect time, transmission speeds, packet sizes and throughput), troubleshoots problems and recommends procurement of and/or modifications to network components.Design solutions, integrates, configures, deploys, tests and provide support for numerous types of network devices, interfaces and methodologies.Optimize end-to-end system performance and dataflow management.Configure/optimize NS3's network to connect to various front- and back-end components.Perform a wide range of network administration duties including installations, debugging, maintenance, upgrades, and general support for Dell, CISCO, Pal Alto, and other hardware equipment.Assist in the configuration and deployment/operations of core network devices not limited to routers, switches, firewalls, Servers, Intrusion Detection and Protective Devices, TACLANES, etc.Coordinate with system engineering and dataflow efforts to ensure proper mission operations with minimum down time.Facilitate implementation of high-speed, scalable, fault-tolerant network topologies as applicable to WAN/LAN design.Implement specific network solutions to support server requirements to include load- balancing, VPNs, firewall contexts, and network address translation (NAT) where appropriate.Minimize network latency and maximizes data throughput through design analysis and network performance monitoring tools.Validate new/existing dataflow and data formats.Setup proactive monitoring of all network devices, services, and servers using a combination of tools to ensure high availability and SLA's.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging tools and technologies.Expeditiously troubleshoot, identify, and rectify network problems, design flaws, and outages while maintaining the security posture of the network.Monitor NS3's network and let leadership know about any emerging requirements or necessary updates.Ensure optimal design, operation, interoperability and performance of NS3's network related hardware and software.Adheres to problem resolution and escalation procedures, documenting, and responding to all related system problems and resolving them on a timely basis.Assist in developing, implementing, testing, and maintaining disaster recovery architectural plans.Work closely with the fellow tech team members to provide end-user support and issue resolution.Collect and review network utilization data for capacity and planning purposes.Demonstrate experience supporting and working with others to achieve system security accreditation.Keep abreast of industry trends and changes in network software and hardware technologies to improve current service levels.Interface with vendors for procurement & maintenance of all IT infrastructures.Recommend best technical options that are tested and proven to meet current and projected demandsRequirements: Active TS/SCI or Active TS with eligibility to obtain SCI Cisco certification - CCST, CCNA CCNP CCIE etc. Bachelor of Science, degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a Scientific or Technical discipline and 5 years' experience. Minimum of 10 years of related experience without the Technical Degree