Network Monitoring System Engineer Level 2

Senior Network Monitoring System Engineer

PLEASE NOTE: Client is requiring on-site work. This open position is located in Woodlawn, MD. Candidates should be made aware that the current expectation is that they will be required to be in the office THREE days per week. However, that requirement may change to FIVE days in the office if the customer mandates. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Position of Public Trust clearance. KEY REQUIRED SKILLS: Strong Linux Platform working experience needed. Good Experience in Network Management/Monitoring Products and their underlying Protocols. Coding experience with Perl, Python and Shell scripting. Ability to work independently from day one. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Client is seeking a Senior Network Monitoring System Engineer to lead the design, optimization, and operational effectiveness of enterprise network monitoring capabilities. This role goes beyond tool administration and requires a deep understanding of how monitoring platforms enable mission outcomes, operational awareness, and rapid incident response. The ideal candidate brings strong architectural and operational expertise across network monitoring ecosystems (e.g., VMware SMARTS, Broadcom DX NetOps, ScienceLogic SL1, IBM Netcool, or similar), with the ability to translate monitoring data into actionable intelligence for Network Operations Centers (NOCs) and cybersecurity teams. This position is suited for a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who can assess current-state environments, identify gaps, and implement improvements that enhance visibility, reduce noise, and accelerate root cause identification.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Architect and evolve enterprise network monitoring solutions to improve visibility, reliability, and operational efficiency
• Lead event correlation, topology modeling, and root cause analysis strategies across complex network environments
• Evaluate and optimize monitoring tools (e.g., SMARTS, NetOps, SL1, Netcool) to ensure alignment with mission and operational objectives
• Drive NOC effectiveness improvements, including alarm reduction, actionable alerting, and incident response workflows
• Design and implement service-aware monitoring that maps infrastructure events to business/mission impact
• Integrate monitoring platforms with SIEM/SOAR tools (e.g., Splunk) and other enterprise systems
• Develop standards, governance, and best practices for monitoring configuration, data quality, and performance
• Identify opportunities for automation, AIOps, and predictive analytics to enhance operational maturity
• Mentor engineering teams and ensure a shift from tool-centric operations to outcome-driven monitoring
• Support troubleshooting of complex network issues and guide teams toward true root cause resolution vs. symptom chasing

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA with 10 years of experience, MS/MA and 5 years experience or High School Diploma and 14 years of related experience or Associates with 8 years of experience
• 10+ years of experience in network monitoring, network engineering, or NOC operations in large enterprise or federal environments
• Hands-on experience with at least one major monitoring platform such as: VMware SMARTS (Smart Assurance) Broadcom DX NetOps (Spectrum) ScienceLogic SL1 IBM Netcool or comparable enterprise monitoring tools
• Demonstrated expertise in: Event correlation and alarm management Network topology modeling and dependency mapping Root cause analysis in complex, distributed environments
• Strong understanding of: SNMP, NetFlow/IPFIX, telemetry, syslog WAN/LAN, firewalls, load balancers, and hybrid cloud networks
• Experience integrating monitoring tools with log analytics and SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk)
• Proven ability to improve monitoring effectiveness, including reducing alert noise and increasing actionable intelligence
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate technical impact in mission/business terms

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of experience supporting federal government or large-scale enterprise environments
• Familiarity with AIOps/observability platforms (e.g., Dynatrace, Datadog, Elastic, LogicMonitor)
• 10+ years of experience with automation and scripting (Python, APIs, etc.)
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture and enterprise logging (e.g., M-21-31 alignment)
• 10+ years of experience working in environments with high availability, compliance, and security requirements