Wireless Network Engineer

Job Title: Wireless Network Engineer / Network Administrator

Location: Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Contract: Bridge contract until a new contract is awarded

Public Trust: Must be able to obtain and pass NIH Public Trust screening (NACI/Tier 1)

Rate $45/hr on W2

Job Summary

GDIT is seeking a Wireless Network Engineer / Network Administrator to support wireless network infrastructure and IT operations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Center for Information Technology (CIT).

The successful candidate will help maintain reliable, secure, and high-performing wireless and wired network services across NIH facilities. This role involves wireless site surveys, network design, configuration, troubleshooting, infrastructure maintenance, and technical documentation to support mission-critical scientific and research operations.

Key Responsibilities

Administer, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise wireless and wired network infrastructure.

Perform wireless site surveys, evaluate signal coverage, analyze interference, and recommend network design improvements.

Use industry-standard wireless survey tools, including Ekahau and Cisco wireless tools, to assess network performance and coverage.

Design, review, and optimize wireless networks to improve reliability, performance, and coverage.

Configure, activate, and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches, wireless access points, network interface cards (NICs), and LAN ports.

Diagnose network configuration issues using command-line interfaces and endpoint troubleshooting tools.

Troubleshoot network devices, including switches, routers, access points, firewalls, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Analyze network protocols and connectivity issues involving TCP/IP, FTP/ UDP, STP, VPNs, and related technologies.

Develop and maintain network diagrams, network closet diagrams, topology documentation, and technical reports.

Perform root-cause analysis and provide troubleshooting summaries and recommendations to technical teams and management.

Respond promptly to network incidents, service requests, outages, and emergency support requirements.

Document all work accurately in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.

Collaborate with NIH federal personnel and cross-functional IT teams to ensure network availability, security, and operational efficiency.

Travel to customer locations across the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area as required.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree, or a high school diploma with relevant experience and professional certification.

Certifications: CCNA or CCNP required.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of wireless network administration experience, including site surveys, wireless network design, and enterprise wireless project management.

Experience using Ekahau, Cisco wireless tools, and other wireless survey tools.

Strong knowledge of wireless network infrastructure, signal propagation, spectrum analysis, interference troubleshooting, and coverage optimization.

Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting Cisco routers, switches, wireless access points, and related network equipment.

Solid understanding of network protocols, switching, TCP/IP, FTP/ UDP, STP, and VPN technologies.

Ability to interpret network topologies and create network and network closet diagrams.

Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to urgent network issues.

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds when installing, racking, and stacking network equipment.

Reliable transportation to respond to on-call emergencies within the DC-MD-VA area.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with wireless infrastructure and IEEE 802.1X authentication.

Experience with enterprise wireless site surveys and network optimization.

Familiarity with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, SiteScope, and ScienceLogic.

Experience using ServiceNow or Remedy for incident and service-request management.

Experience with Infoblox.

Experience supporting enterprise or federal government IT environments.

Security Requirements

Must be able to obtain and successfully pass the NIH Public Trust screening process (NACI/Tier 1).

No existing security clearance is required.

Citizenship clarification: The posting contains conflicting information: the qualifications section states U.S. citizenship is not required, while the detailed job description states U.S. citizenship is required. Confirm the applicable citizenship requirement with GDIT before submitting candidates.

Work Schedule and Conditions

Onsite work at the customer location in Bethesda, Maryland.

Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Must participate in an on-call rotation, including evenings, after-hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Less than 10% travel to customer sites within the DC-MD-VA area.

Must be comfortable working independently and collaboratively with technical and federal customer teams.