Senior Network Engineer SME - Key (Active Top Secret Required)

NANA Regional Corporation - Alexandria, VA

Full-time - Senior

Onsite - Alexandria, VA

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities

About the position

Akima Data Management (ADM) is seeking a Senior Network Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex network systems that are robust, secure, and scalable. Your expertise will guide both technical and non-technical team members, ensuring that our network infrastructure meets performance and reliability requirements. You will oversee day-to-day network management, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization, while also leading network-related projects and providing mentorship to junior engineers and technicians. As a Senior Network Engineer, you will implement and maintain network security measures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. You will develop and maintain comprehensive network documentation, including design diagrams and standard operating procedures. Collaboration is key in this role, as you will work closely with IT teams, departments, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of network services with other systems and applications. Staying current with emerging technologies and industry trends will be essential, as you will recommend and implement improvements to enhance network performance, security, and reliability. Additionally, you will provide advanced technical support for network-related issues, including after-hours support as needed. Your responsibilities will also include serving as the SME for the installation, configuration, and administration of various network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls from major vendors such as CISCO, Stratix, Juniper, and Aruba. You will possess advanced knowledge of TCP/IP network design and support, including LAN, WAN, and SDN networks, routing, and subnetting. This position is critical to ensuring the operational efficiency and security of our network systems, contributing to the overall mission of ADM.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain robust, secure, and scalable network architectures.
• Oversee day-to-day network management, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Lead network-related projects, providing guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Implement and maintain network security measures such as firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive network documentation, including design diagrams, configuration details, and standard operating procedures.
• Work closely with IT teams, departments, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of network services with other systems and applications.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Recommend and implement improvements to enhance network performance, security, and reliability.
• Provide advanced technical support for network-related issues, including after-hours support as needed.
• Serve as the SME for the installation, configuration, and administration of CISCO, Stratix, Juniper, and/or Aruba devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Collaborate with team members to analyze and resolve user problems and perform preventative maintenance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Telecommunications, or Management Information Systems, or 10 years of documented relevant experience.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in network engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior or lead role.
• In-depth knowledge of networking protocols and technologies (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS).
• Experience with network hardware and software from major vendors (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet).
• Proficiency in network design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of network security principles and practices.
• Familiarity with cloud networking (e.g., AWS, Azure) and virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
• A minimum of Top-Secret Clearance is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Certifications such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or similar.
• Experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
• Knowledge of scripting and automation tools (e.g., Python, Ansible).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Competitive pay
• Growth opportunities
• Excellent retirement options