Lead Network Engineer

Leidos Holding$131K — $237K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. Degree and 12+ years of relevant network engineering experience, with allowance for work experience as a degree substitute.
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance required.
  • Must hold a valid DoD 8570.01 IAT Level III Certification (e.g., CCNP Security, CISSP, CASP+, or equivalent).
  • Current Associate-level (or higher) Network Vendor Certification from Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, or F5 Networks is mandatory.
  • Extensive hands-on experience in engineering and administering enterprise networks with a range of technologies from multiple vendors.
  • Deep knowledge of IP network addressing and modern network topologies.

Responsibilities

  • Lead engineering initiatives across BAN/LAN, Wireless, and WAN/Boundary architectures.
  • Act as a cybersecurity SME, managing vulnerability assessments and remediation planning.
  • Develop and peer-review Engineering Implementation Plans; present at Engineering Review Boards.
  • Provide Tier-III escalation support for complex network and security incidents.
  • Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to address critical network issues.
  • Maintain professional communication with stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals.
  • Drive continuous improvements through the development of new processes and automation initiatives.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to the largest IT services program for the U.S. Navy.
  • Work with advanced network technologies and methodologies in a highly specialized field.
  • Collaborative environment with cross-functional teams including engineering and project management.
  • Exposure to large-scale DoD enterprise networks, enhancing career opportunities for future positions.
  • Access to ongoing professional development and training resources.
Full Job Description

Leidos currently has an opening on the Service Management, Integration and Transport (SMIT) Contract for a Lead Network Engineer located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Join our team to support the SMIT mission, the largest IT services program for the United States Navy. As part of the Leidos team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) to customers around the globe.

We are seeking a highly skilled and solution-focused Lead Network Engineer who will serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert across BAN/LAN, Wireless, and WAN/Boundary environments. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining robust, mature global network and security solutions, including routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, DMZ, and VPN technologies.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams, domain architects, project managers, automation teams and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) leadership to safeguard our network infrastructure against threats and ensure the highest levels of operational integrity. As a senior member of the technical team, you will manage customer relationships, drive operational processes, and oversee critical resources for Incident Response, Change Management, Problem Management, and DevSecOps initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Technical Leadership & Scope: Lead engineering efforts and collaborate with team members across BAN/LAN, Wireless, and WAN/Boundary architectures.
  • Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as a cybersecurity SME. Provide technical inputs to cybersecurity topics, including managing STIG vulnerabilities for Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) inspections and leading enterprise-wide remediation efforts.
  • Engineering Standards & Governance: Create, modify, and peer-review Engineering Implementation Plans (EIPs). Participate in and present plans at Engineering Review Boards (ERB).
  • Operations & Escalation Support: Provide Tier-III escalation support to the Network Operations Center (NOC) and watch staff. Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex network and security incidents.
  • 24/7 Mission Readiness: Provide 24x7 support on an on-call rotation to resolve critical network issues and meet Navy mission requirements.
  • Customer & Stakeholder Collaboration: Maintain clear, concise, and professional communication with customers, domain architects, project managers, and SRE leadership to align engineering execution with mission goals.
  • Network & Security Administration: Perform highly technical maintenance, performance tuning, and configuration changes on Routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and DMZ appliances.
  • Continuous Service Improvement (CSI): Drive the development of new processes and procedures, write/maintain SOPs/TTPs, and identify network automation opportunities to improve delivery efficiency and reliability.

Basic Qualifications

  • Education & Experience: B.S. Degree and 12+ years of prior relevant experience in network engineering. Work experience may be substituted for a degree at the Hiring Managers discretion.
  • Security Clearance:U.S. Citizenship with an active DoD Secret security clearance.
  • DoD 8570 Certification: Must currently possess an active DoD 8570.01 IAT Level III Certification (e.g., CCNP Security, CISSP, CASP+, or equivalent).
  • Vendor Certifications: Must currently possess an active Associate-level (or higher) Network Vendor Certification from at least one of the following: Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, or F5 Networks.
  • Technical Breadth: Hands-on experience engineering, troubleshooting, and administering enterprise networks utilizing technologies from multiple vendors, including:
    • Cisco
    • Juniper
    • Palo Alto Networks
    • F5 Networks
    • Brocade
    • Aruba
    • McAfee
    • Gigamon
  • Protocols & Networking Expertise: Extensive experience with routing, switching, MPLS, VPNs, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching protocols (Spanning Tree Protocol, VLANs, LLDP, VoIP), Multicast, and emerging network technologies.
  • IP Architecture: Deep understanding and in-depth knowledge of IP network/subnet addressing and modern network topologies.
  • Automation & IaC: Hands-on experience with Network Automation tools and principles (e.g., Ansible, Python, Infrastructure as Code).
  • Availability: Ability to work or be called in during off-hours to support critical incident resolution. Must participate in a 24x7 on-call rotation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience supporting the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) or other large-scale DoD enterprise networks.
  • Strong background in DevSecOps practices applied to network infrastructure.

NGEN

If youre looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo  because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30  and moving faster than anyone else dares.



Original Posting:
September 4, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos Holding

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Joining Leidos Holding presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and technology. The company offers a plethora of job opportunities aimed at fostering professional growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

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Leidos Holding is actively seeking skilled professionals who are passionate about leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and leadership in their fields. With a variety of open positions, Leidos Holding provides a platform for individuals to challenge themselves in a dynamic work environment.

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At Leidos Holding, innovation is at the core of everything they do. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries. The company supports this drive for innovation through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs that are designed to enhance skills and foster leadership.

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Leidos Holding is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is not only recognized but celebrated. With a culture that values and promotes diversity, Leidos Holding ensures that all team members have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.

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Employees at Leidos Holding enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member is valued.

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