Field/Base Communications Network Engineer

About the Role

Leidos has an opening on the ‘Service Management, Integration and Transport’ (SMIT) Contract for a Field/Base Network Engineer position. SMIT is the largest IT services program for the Navy, delivering the core backbone of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), including cybersecurity services, network operations, service desk, and data transport. This role supports the Navy in unifying its shore-based networks and data management to improve capability and service while reducing costs under one enterprise network.

This position requires extensive Operations/Engineering Leadership experience, preferably with a Network/Transport technical background and working knowledge of a large DOD Enterprise Network Environment. Responsibilities include managing a large technical team virtually, interacting directly with the customer, and overseeing Incident Response, Change Management, Problem Management, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), project sustainment, and other ITSM and DevSecOps initiatives.

The work location is at a government site and requires the ability to:

• Lift and carry 50 lbs. for up to 100 feet at a time; lift 25 lbs. vertically using ladders.
• Work in confined spaces, such as raised floors or communications closets.
• Work in noisy environments, such as data centers and operations centers.
• Stand or sit for 8 hours at a time.
• Utilize basic hand tools (e.g., screwdrivers, wrenches) for rack mounting equipment.
• Possess normal color vision to identify wires and cables.
• Have correctable vision to 20/20 or better for reading schematics, test equipment, and computer monitors.
• Have depth perception for safe work on ladders and in confined spaces.
• Use and read digital test equipment such as OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometer).
• Drive a personal or corporate vehicle to different locations for projects and troubleshooting; a valid state license is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Operations-focused Network Engineer on a team responsible for BAN/LAN/WAN Network Operations, troubleshooting, repair, installation, cabling, configuration, implementation, and integration of current and future NGEN-R network architectures.
• Provide COMSEC Local Element support, including managing COMSEC hardware/software assets, key inventories, loading keys into encryption devices, installing, configuring, troubleshooting, upgrading, and replacing faulty equipment.
• Document work activities and maintain accurate site documentation.
• Initiate software upgrades and changes to the NGEN-R system and communications infrastructure as prescribed by Domain Architects, Design, and Configuration Teams.
• Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and removal/replacement of faulty hardware using SOPs, TTPs, work instructions, vendor guidance, and other documented processes.
• Interface with the Network Operations Center (NOC) for incident troubleshooting and restoral.
• Support network configuration and asset management activities, manage configuration drift, and update network documentation to reflect as-is and/or to-be environments.
• Support Cybersecurity requirements and implementation of security controls (STIG compliance).
• Coordinate network upgrades and planned maintenance activities with NGEN-R Program and customer stakeholders.
• Monitor network systems (health and status) and proactively identify potential issues before they impact users; recommend or apply corrective actions.
• May require local or overnight travel by car or air to assigned locations for operations-focused activities (e.g., break/fix, COMSEC support).

Requirements

• BA/BS Degree and 4+ years of prior relevant experience or MS/MBA with 2+ years of prior relevant experience; additional years of experience may substitute for a degree at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.
• DOD Secret Security Clearance with the ability to upgrade to and maintain a TS Security Clearance.
• Minimum of DoD 8570.01 IAT Level II Certification required prior to onboarding (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CDN, ISC2 SSCP, GSEC, GICSP, or CYSA+).
• Network Vendor Associate Level or higher Certification (e.g., Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCNP).
• Ability to work off-hours and weekends to meet customer mission support requirements.
• Working knowledge of defense-in-depth principles, network/HW/SW security architecture, network topology, IT device integrity, and common security elements.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including possible OCONUS travel.
• 5+ years’ experience troubleshooting complex routing and switching issues.
• 5+ years’ experience configuring switches, routers, network appliances, and WAN acceleration devices.
• Customer service experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Master’s degree in IT Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• MPLS experience.
• DevOps, CI/CD experience.
• Scripting experience (e.g., Python).
• Automation experience (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef).
• SDN/SD WAN experience.
• Professional or Expert level vendor certifications.
• ITIL certifications.

Pay

$38.00 - $42.00/hourly rate.