A critical career opportunity is available at the Pentagon for a Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) Engineer to support the AFNCR IT Services program within the National Military Command Center (NMCC). This program provides essential information systems support for Headquarters Air Force (HAF), Air Force District of Washington (AFDW), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and other key Air Force activities. This role operates within a fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding environment where support for senior leaders and national defense missions can never fail. The successful candidate will be the subject matter expert responsible for all engineering and maintenance of the Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) and its associated telecommunication systems within the National Capital Region. This position requires a deep understanding of technical principles and a broad knowledge of related specialty areas.

Please note this is a full-time on-site position

CERTIFICATIONS: DOD 8140 certification (SEC+ CE or equivalent) - required certification

CLEARANCE: TS/SCI clearance

SHIFT: 100% Full time onsite, Pentagon, Arlington, VA; Must be able to work the day or night shifts and be available for rotating schedules or standby as required to provide 24/7 coverage.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the maintenance of the DRSN and its sub-systems for continuous, 24/7 operations within the Pentagon, National Military Command Center (NMCC), and other secure locations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
• Perform all COMSEC responsibilities for the DRSN, including the operation and maintenance of associated cryptographic devices and their configurations.
• Support DRSN switch operation and administration, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, fault isolation, and service restoration.
• Conduct network planning and engineering for the DRSN, including new circuit installations, modifications, and deactivations.
• Provide technical and operational support to DRSN end-users, network expansions, and modernization of the telecommunications backbone supporting the switch.
• Provide problem resolution for all hardware and software elements of the data communication circuits that support the DRSN.
• Provide outage and restoration information as required, including estimated restoration times.
• Ensure the availability of DRSN circuits in coordination with other work centers.
• Perform status updates and continuous circuit monitoring as required.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-stakes work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Candidate must be have an active TS/SCI security clearance at the start of the work.
• Must be able to work rotating shift schedules and/or standby, if required, to provide 24/7 365 coverage.
• Must have excellent communications skills
• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience. (Additional years of related experience, training, and/or certifications may be accepted in lieu of a degree).
• Must currently possess an active Security+ CE certification.
• Hands-on experience conducting IT communications equipment installation, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Must be able to work the dedicated overnight shift and be available for rotating schedules or standby as required to provide 24/7 coverage.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive, direct experience with the Defense Red Switch Network in a command center environment is highly desired.
• A strong background in one or more of the following areas: Cryptographic Systems, Tech Control, C4I Systems, or Nuclear Command and Control (NC2).
• Knowledge of developing, testing, and implementing communications operations contingency, exercise, and restoration plans.
• Experience in circuit restoration, fault isolation, quality control testing, trend analysis, performance monitoring, and status reporting.
• Experience working with testing equipment such as Tone Generators, VoIP testers, Scopes, BERT (Bit Error Rate Testers), and Multimeters.
• Experience conducting Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS), advanced troubleshooting, and remove/replace procedures for system components

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.