Senior Computer Network Architect (Ft. Bragg)

Location: Fort Bragg, NC (onsite position)

About the role

Serves as a hybrid Network & Systems Engineer and Tactical Communications Subject Matter Expert (SME), responsible for designing, building, automating, testing, and sustaining mission-critical network infrastructure in support of deployed and enterprise operations. This role integrates hands-on engineering, automation development, and operational support to deliver secure, scalable, and rapidly deployable network solutions.

Responsibilities

• Maintains expert-level awareness of current and emerging technologies through continuous research of technical manuals, vendor documentation, security advisories, and open-source resources.
• Evaluates and recommends hardware and software versions by validating:
  • Minimum installation requirements
  • Known defects and bugs
  • Security bulletins and patches
  • Compatibility with legacy systems
  • Power constraints (including PoE considerations)
  • Environmental and thermal limitations
  • End-user interoperability (notably SFP module compatibility)
• Collaborates with the JEDI team to enable bare-metal provisioning of RHEL servers, leveraging Kickstart-based automation for PXE-style rapid deployments.
• Builds secure, mission-ready network nodes from bare metal, including firmware/software upgrades, secure configuration baselines, tunnel establishment, and performance optimization.
• Conducts in-depth network connectivity testing, end-user behavior analysis, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal throughput and reliability.
• Coordinates with multiple J6 functional areas when deploying new sites.
• Works directly with customers to ensure installations are plug-and-play, enabling rapid deployment within constrained logistical timelines.
• Developed the initial MFS Medium v2 configuration and influenced the MFS Heavy baseline.
• Rapidly identifies and resolves network configuration errors; provides validated solutions to the network automation team for integration and code deployment.
• Possesses deep operational knowledge of network architectures, protocols, and failure modes, allowing for expedited fault isolation and resolution.

Encryption Expertise

• Holds strong working knowledge of encryptor configuration, firmware management, operational requirements, version enforcement, best practices, and troubleshooting.
• Diagnoses encryption issues based on customer-reported symptoms and operational context.
• Identified and resolved a critical encryption key failure affecting a forward-deployed Tier tactical node after multiple unsuccessful remediation attempts.
• Proficient with GemOne and Chimera management platforms.

Additional Operational Support

• Performs off-site communications checks and equipment upgrades, including installation and airflow optimization to prevent overheating and equipment degradation.
• Delivers expedited remote support to traveling customers, providing Cisco CLI commands to rapidly restore communications for senior leadership.
• Detects and communicates probable hardware failures at distant ends during outage scenarios.
• Assists with baselining and testing MFS kits under tight timelines or suspected hardware/software issues.
• Collaborates with customers, ECS, and Tier units to troubleshoot connectivity issues and deliver targeted technical training.
• Daily operational use of:
  • Nautobot (IPAM and device management)
  • AWX (administration and automation)
  • Active Directory
  • Forward Networks (topology and fault analysis)
  • Splunk (detailed network/server logging)
  • ServiceNow (ticketing and technical order tracking)
• Provides on-site support for emergent taskings, including after-hours operations.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience (or commensurate experience).
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance (TS/SCI).
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification.
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure.
• Experience with containerization technologies.
• Experience with microservice network architecture.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving technical problems with both on-site and remote administrators.
• Ability to communicate technical ideas and deliver briefings with cross-functional teams, work in a high-demand environment, and provide technical expertise on all phases of system engineering activities.
• Active and current U.S. Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology or related field.
• Experience supporting U.S. Special Operations organizations.
• Cisco DevNet Associate.
• Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation.
• Aviatrix Certified Engineer Multicloud Network Automation Specialty.
• Linux Essentials LPI.
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator.
• Certified Kubernetes Application Developer.
• Experience with Terraform.
• Experience with Cloud Native networking technologies and concepts.
• Experience with Amazon Web Services.
• Experience developing tactical, expeditionary cross-domain solutions to deliver Full Motion Video (FMV) across different environments, enclaves, and networks.
• Experience designing, installing, configuring, and troubleshooting expeditionary, global, regional, and disconnected networks, including:
  • Internal LAN traffic
  • WAN
  • Satellite communications
  • Commercial leased lines
  • Long haul circuits
  • Distributed packet processing
  • Data compression
  • Encryption
  • Various data transport systems
• Experience evaluating projected network usage and reviewing utilization reports.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and working with Agile teams using collaboration tools such as GitLab.
• Experience working with configuration management (CM) tools, including GitLab, Git-centric, and CI/CD workflows.
• Knowledge of network engineering in cloud and disconnected edge environments.
• Knowledge of Python scripting, writing Ansible playbooks, rudimentary APIs, or automation scripts.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Able to wear personal protective equipment, including protective mask, ballistic helmet, body armor, and chemical/biological protective garments.
• Medically and physically fit for deployment with U.S. Military Forces Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) under the provisions of USCENTCOM Medical Standards.

Unfunded position — A Contingency Offer Letter will be extended to the selected candidate. Employment is contingent on the position being fully funded and a vacancy existing.

Pay

USD $125,000.00 - USD $130,000.00 per year.