Jr. Network Engineer

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, US

Network Engineer

Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD
Type: ONSITE
Salary Range: $90,000- $105,000 annually

Position Overview

Fairwinds Technologies is seeking a Junior Network Engineer to support laboratory, engineering, and information technology activities for Fairwinds technical teams. This is an early-career role intended for a motivated candidate who has strong fundamentals, some hands-on experience, and the ability to learn quickly while supporting lab senior technical staff while working under the direction of the Chief Information Office IT Network Lead.

The Junior Network Engineer will assist with the setup, configuration, documentation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of IP-connected systems, laboratory networks, test environments, and controlled engineering infrastructure. The position will support both Mixed Signal and xG technical laboratories and teams, helping engineers and technical managers maintain reliable, secure, and well-documented network environments used for prototyping, integration, experimentation, and customer-focused demonstrations.

The ideal candidate will have foundational knowledge of IP networking, switching, VLANs, basic routing, firewalls, endpoint/network security concepts, and disciplined documentation practices. The candidate must be dependable, coachable, cyber-aware, and comfortable working around RF, wireless, lab, and government customer environments where configuration control, information protection, and attention to detail are important.

Key Responsibilities

- Assist with installation, configuration, labeling, cabling, testing, and routine maintenance of network equipment used in Fairwinds engineering, IT, Mixed Signal, and xG lab environments.

- Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in systems engineering design and development.

- Perform first-level troubleshooting for connectivity, latency, VLAN membership, addressing, cabling, equipment availability, and basic firewall/access issues.

- Ability to not shy away from technical challenges and an approach of how it can be done, not how it can't be done.

- Work with engineers, developers, program managers, and technical managers to understand network needs for experiments, prototypes, demonstrations, and customer deliverables.

- Ability to brief non-technical Senior Leadership with experience briefing on highly technical matters.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor of Science in Computer, Software, Electrical, Electronics, Network Science, or Systems Engineering. Or a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

- 2+ years' experience with designing integrated networked solutions for rapid prototyping and quick reaction communications systems.

- Understanding of open system interfaces and the challenges involved in integrating systems from different manufacturers.

- Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Security+/Network+, VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification

- Ability to follow direction, ask good questions, learn quickly, and work responsibly around sensitive customer and laboratory environments.

- Experience with switches, firewalls, and IDS systems.

- Experience with cyber security infrastructure.

- US Citizen

- Active Secret or higher DoD Security Clearance

Additional Preferred Qualifications

- 2+ years' experience in maintaining networks, segregated LAN and WAN systems. Setting up switches, port forwarding, DHCP, DNS, and network architecture.

- Experience with SATCOM, Terrestrial Wireless/Radio, & SD-WAN Aggregation Systems.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not supervise others.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed in a traditional office environment. Some Remote/Hybrid work is also possible.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position, working Monday through Friday; 40 hours per work week; occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Some flexibility in actual work hours may be offered.

Travel

Must be willing to travel up to 25% when required.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Must be eligible to work in the US and possess or obtain a Secret level clearance

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation- Salary

At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience.