Network Engineer 4 - Infrastructure

About the role

The Network Engineer 4 establishes and maintains the enterprise infrastructure by updating and tuning the network, directing hardware installations, and executing test procedures to create baselines and performance thresholds. The role identifies and troubleshoots difficult or unusual environment problems using network-monitoring tools and implements solutions to ensure maximum performance. In support of the agency’s data-center modernization initiative, the engineer provides technical expertise for AWS environments, including assisting with the lift-and-shift migration of on-premises network systems to AWS, validating cloud network architectures, and supporting hybrid connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior network engineer on a shift-supporting team to install and monitor various Cisco telecommunication devices and provide engineering and data center management support.
• Primary work location: Suitland, MD with a shift schedule from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM; occasional secondary work location: Ashburn, VA with eight-hour shift coverage between 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
• Demonstrate strong Cisco analytical skills to identify, troubleshoot, and solve network-related business requirements, needs, and ongoing production incidents across on-prem and AWS-connected environments.
• Act as an escalated point of contact for Cisco telecommunication equipment and hybrid network connectivity supporting AWS workloads.
• Deploy new and troubleshoot existing Ethernet and fiber cable runs, perform data center hardware rack installations, update and maintain rack elevation diagrams, and lead new hardware/software deployments, technical refreshes, and upgrades, including systems participating in the AWS lift-and-shift migration.
• Perform NX-OS and IOS patch-management upgrades on all Cisco telecommunication equipment and validate interoperability with AWS networking components such as VPCs, Direct Connect, and Transit Gateway.
• Develop and document high-level system engineering designs, scope requirements, test cases, standard operating procedures, and implementation plans for both on-prem and AWS-integrated network architectures.
• Present technical proof-of-concepts and demos to coworkers, management staff, and the customer, including cloud networking designs and AWS migration approaches.
• Available and flexible for production-incident troubleshooting and support for normally scheduled after-hours or weekend maintenance activities for on-prem and AWS-connected systems.
• Provide training and guidance to junior network and data-center engineers on hybrid cloud networking fundamentals and AWS connectivity best practices.
• Manage the priorities of the customer’s requests and incidents using a proprietary ticketing system while documenting AWS-related tasks and cloud-migration activities.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years of experience in a large government organization responsible for administering, operating, maintaining, and securing a large-scale internetworking environment, including six years in a technical leadership or supervisory role supporting both on-prem and/or emerging AWS cloud networking initiatives.
• Eight (8) years of experience directly supporting a complex infrastructure covering the major aspects of network administration with expertise in troubleshooting IPv4 issues across various protocols and technologies such as OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, static routing, SSH, ACL, VLAN, VTP, STP, SNMP, LACP, vPC, vPort Channels, Wireshark, and TCP dumps, with added familiarity in hybrid connectivity to AWS environments.
• Eight (8) years of strong hands-on experience implementing and troubleshooting Cisco switches (i.e., 9300, 5300, 3850, 2960, Nexus 2k, 5k, and 7k series) and validating interoperability with AWS networking components such as VPCs, Direct Connect, and Transit Gateway.
• Five (5) years of experience configuring, administering, and maintaining network IT monitoring and management software such as Netscout nGenius and SolarWinds (i.e., NetFlow traffic analysis, bandwidth monitoring, PerfStack, network performance baselines, Traffic Analyzer, IPAM, and NetPath) including monitoring hybrid on-prem/AWS network paths.
• Three (3) years of experience in data center operations with thorough knowledge of data center hardware specifications, lights-out-management solutions, Ethernet cable crimping, network cable runs and best practices, power requirements, racking, and decommissioning of hardware supporting systems.
• Thorough knowledge of telecommunications, network security issues, and best practices with awareness of AWS security fundamentals such as IAM, security groups, and cloud network segmentation.
• Exceptional customer service orientation, written and oral communication skills with the ability to explain hybrid cloud networking concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in an information technology field.
• Preferred technical certifications: CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Data Center, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Data Center, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty.
• Must be able to achieve and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Schedule

• Primary shift: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM in Suitland, MD.
• Occasional secondary shift: Eight-hour coverage between 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM in Ashburn, VA.
• Flexibility required for after-hours or weekend maintenance activities and production-incident troubleshooting.