SME Systems and Network Engineer

About the role

GovCIO is seeking an SME Systems and Network Engineer to support mission‑critical IT programs for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The position serves as a key technical authority and Router SME, working directly with the Transport Platform Section (TPS) to assist with mission and daily operations. It is a hybrid role based in Alexandria, VA, with up to 25% travel (TDY) or deployment to remote sites for network architecture planning, hardware configuration, and integration support.

Responsibilities

• Technical Router Subject Matter Expertise & Configuration: Provide deep expertise to the TPS, build, apply, test, and troubleshoot site‑specific configurations for enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint edge devices; isolate and resolve complex hardware/software anomalies affecting transport and tactical network infrastructure.
• Elevated Technical Support & Mission Recovery: Rapidly respond to high‑priority Casualty Reports (CASREPs) to restore degraded maritime and tactical network infrastructure; act as an escalation tier for Tier 2 teams and engineer permanent fixes.
• Architecture Engineering & Design: Develop, evaluate, and refine comprehensive network architecture plans and transport engineering designs for remote, austere, and tactical environments; quality‑check, validate, and approve engineering design packages, technical briefs, and architectural blueprints for transport platform deployments; research and implement emerging technologies and best practices.
• Hardware Collaboration & Logistics: Partner with logistics and supply‑chain personnel to synchronize hardware pipelines, component provisioning, strategic sparing, and full‑lifecycle asset management.
• Field Deployments & Technical Governance: Travel up to 25% (TDY) or deploy to remote operational sites to lead field engineering assessments, hardware integrations, and tactical transport rollouts; collaborate with USCG leadership and cross‑functional engineering teams; provide technical governance and mentorship to junior and mid‑level engineers.

Qualifications

• High School diploma with 10+ years of relevant experience (or commensurate experience).
• Active Secret security clearance.

Skills

• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+).
• Proven experience as a Router SME, Principal Systems Engineer, or Senior Network Engineer on large‑scale federal IT or tactical network programs.
• Extensive hands‑on experience designing, planning, configuring, and documenting complex network architecture plans using Cisco enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint solutions.
• Experience providing elevated technical support, interfacing with Tier 2 teams, and resolving critical network degradations under pressure (direct CASREP experience highly preferred).
• Track record of collaborating with logistics teams for hardware integration and full‑lifecycle equipment rollouts.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% (TDY) to remote environments for critical transport network support.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present technical concepts and system architectures to senior government and military leadership.
• Proficiency with advanced network mapping tools, systems‑engineering modeling software, and integrated tracking tools.

Preferred certifications: CCNA or CCNP (Enterprise/Routing and Switching).

Preferred experience includes direct support of U.S. Coast Guard missions within the Transport Platform Section (TPS), C5I, or related engineering directorates; knowledge of military transport systems, satellite communications, tactical radios, or maritime/deployable networking infrastructure; work with secure network enclaves, cross‑domain solutions, and strict federal cybersecurity compliance; familiarity with containerization, virtualization, or transport‑edge optimization in disconnected/low‑bandwidth environments.

Pay

Salary range: $135,000 – $175,000 per year.