Network Engineer

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Network Engineer to support a company supporting the Department of Defense. This position is onsite in Newington, VA . This is a contract opportunity supporting a national leader in secure systems and mission‑critical network modernization initiatives. The Network Engineer will design, secure, and maintain resilient network architectures that support uninterrupted communications, real‑time data sharing, and system availability across complex government environments. This role partners with technical teams and senior stakeholders to deliver scalable, secure, and high‑performing network solutions. Responsibilities Design and implement enterprise network architectures supporting mission‑critical operations. Configure and optimize routing and switching environments utilizing BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP. Deploy and maintain LAN/WAN infrastructure, ensuring performance, scalability, and reliability. Administer Cisco technologies including Catalyst, Nexus, and ACI platforms. Monitor network health and troubleshoot complex issues using SolarWinds, NetFlow, Wireshark, and related tools. Implement and maintain firewalls, VPNs, QoS policies, and load‑balancing solutions. Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams and advise senior leadership on network strategy and modernization efforts. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. 10+ years of network engineering experience in large‑scale enterprise environments. Active TS/SCI security clearance. Expert knowledge of routing and switching protocols including BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP. Experience designing, deploying, and supporting LAN/WAN infrastructures. Proficiency with network monitoring and performance analysis tools such as SolarWinds, NetFlow, and Wireshark. Hands‑on experience with Cisco Catalyst, Nexus, ACI, firewalls, VPNs, QoS, and load balancers. Strong communication, presentation, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to influence technical decisions. Compensation Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 based on experience. Full Benefits Package: PTO, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Maternity Leave, Military Reserve Pay Offset. Keywords Network Engineer, Senior Principal Network Engineer, TS/SCI, Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Nexus, Cisco ACI, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, LAN/WAN, Network Architecture, Network Design, Network Engineering, SolarWinds, NetFlow, Wireshark, Firewalls, VPN, QoS, Load Balancing, SDN, Cisco ISE, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Intersight, AWS Networking, Azure Networking, GCP Networking, Network Automation, Python, REST APIs, Ansible, Terraform, Zero Trust, VXLAN, EVPN, Data Center Networking, Enterprise Networks, Government Networks, DoD Support. #J-18808-Ljbffr Zachary Piper Solutions