Gem

Network Engineer

Gem$49K — $290K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience with enterprise-grade IP networks
  • Deep expertise in routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS) and switching technologies (STP, LACP, VTP, 802.1Q)
  • Expertise with Cisco Cloud & AI Infrastructure (CAI), including high-performance compute fabrics
  • Proficiency with Cisco platforms across routing, switching, and security; experience with additional vendors a plus
  • Hands-on experience with SD-WAN/SDN solutions and cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Ability to produce technical documentation and presentations for diverse audiences
  • US citizenship and active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance required

Responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and manage enterprise and service-provider scale networks
  • Configure and optimize dynamic routing protocols and advanced switching technologies
  • Architect and operate Cisco Cloud & AI Infrastructure solutions
  • Design and deliver MPLS/BGP transport services
  • Enforce network security controls and collaborate with Cybersecurity teams
  • Architect and manage SD-WAN, SDN, and NFV solutions
  • Automate network provisioning and management using scripting tools

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare and wellness benefits
  • Financial and retirement benefits
  • Education benefits including opportunities for training and development
  • Generous time off policies
  • Referral bonus for successful candidate referrals
Full Job Description
Were looking for a highly experienced Network Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is a well-rounded network professional who brings deep technical expertise across the full spectrum of enterprise networking - from core routing and switching to modern cloud-integrated, AI-ready infrastructure. This role demands someone who can architect, operate, and evolve complex networks in support of mission-critical government and intelligence community environments.

We have opportunities in Network Engineering in Herndon, VA; McLean; VA; and Chantilly; VA.

Responsibilities:

  • Network Architecture & Design: Design, implement, and manage enterprise and service-provider scale networks spanning LAN, WAN, data center, and cloud environments, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security at every layer.
  • Routing & Switching: Configure and optimize dynamic routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS) and advanced switching technologies (STP, LACP, VTP, 802.1Q) across complex multi-site topologies.
  • Cloud & AI Infrastructure: Architect and operate Cisco Cloud & AI Infrastructure (CAI) solutions, including data center fabric, AI/ML networking, and high-performance compute connectivity; support integration of AI workload infrastructure into enterprise and hybrid cloud environments.
  • MPLS & Transport Services: Design and deliver MPLS/BGP transport services; manage integrations between service provider and customer environments.
  • Network Security: Enforce security controls including next-generation firewalls, VPNs (IPsec/SSL), ACLs, network segmentation, and Zero Trust architecture; collaborate closely with Cybersecurity teams on policy and compliance.
  • Cloud & Hybrid Networking: Architect and manage SD-WAN, SDN, and NFV solutions; design and support hybrid cloud networking across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP, including connectivity, routing, and security policy enforcement.
  • Automation & Infrastructure-as-Code: Automate network provisioning, configuration management, and validation using Ansible, Python, Terraform, and similar tools; integrate with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code workflows.
  • Network Access Control: Deploy and manage NAC technologies (e.g., Cisco ISE) to enforce endpoint compliance and control access to sensitive network segments.
  • Network Management & Assurance: Administer enterprise network management platforms; leverage AI/ML-driven analytics, telemetry, and assurance tooling to proactively monitor performance, identify anomalies, and drive rapid issue resolution.
  • Operations & Incident Response: Serve as the Tier 3/4 escalation point for complex network incidents; conduct root cause analysis, capacity planning, lifecycle management, and performance tuning.
  • Documentation & Stakeholder Communication: Produce and maintain network designs, architecture diagrams, implementation plans, and change management documentation; deliver technical briefings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Mentorship & Standards Development: Mentor junior engineers and contribute to organizational standards, engineering playbooks, and best practices.


Requirements:

  • BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience designing, implementing, and operating enterprise-grade IP networks
  • Deep expertise in routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS) and switching technologies (STP, LACP, VTP, 802.1Q)
  • Expertise with Cisco Cloud & AI Infrastructure (CAI), including data center networking, high-performance compute fabrics, and AI/ML workload connectivity
  • Proficiency with Cisco platforms across routing, switching, security (ASA/Firepower), and data center product lines; experience with additional vendors (Juniper, Palo Alto, Aruba) a plus
  • Experience designing and operating secure network architectures including firewall policy, VPN technologies, ACLs, and network segmentation
  • Hands-on experience with SD-WAN/SDN solutions and cloud networking (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)
  • Demonstrated proficiency with network automation tools and scripting (Ansible, Python, or similar) and familiarity with infrastructure-as-code practices
  • Experience with NAC platforms (e.g., Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass) and endpoint access control policy enforcement
  • Ability to produce technical documentation, network diagrams, and architecture presentations for diverse audiences
  • US citizenship and an active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance required


Desired Experience:

  • Active CCNP, CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent professional-level network engineering certification
  • Experience with Cisco data center technologies including Nexus switching, ACI, and UCS
  • Familiarity with AI/ML infrastructure networking requirements including high-throughput, low-latency fabric design and GPU cluster connectivity
  • Experience with MPLS transport services and inter-provider BGP peering
  • Background operating satellite, wireless, or tactical communications networks in support of government or military missions
  • Familiarity with VoIP/VTC infrastructure (SIP, H.323) and QoS engineering
  • Experience supporting system accreditation processes (RMF/ICD 503) and hardening networks to applicable security standards
  • Exposure to IPv6 design and dual-stack migration planning
  • Experience with network forensics, packet analysis (Wireshark, tcpdump), and incident response or intrusion analysis support
  • Experience operating large-scale, high-availability network environments in cleared government or IC contexts
  • Familiarity with DISA STIGs and DoD/IC network security compliance frameworks


Do you know anyone for this position, or other positions open at The Swift Group? We offer a $5,000 bonus for any referral candidate we hire, paid out at the new hires 90-day mark.

We are not working with outside staffing agencies to fill this position, and we will not be accepting unsolicited resumes. All inquiries must go through the recruiting team.

#LI-DI1

#Onsite

Pay Range: $49,996.80 - $290,004.00

Pay ranges are a general guideline and not intended as a guaranteed and/or implied final compensation or salary for this job opening. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several different factors including, but not limited to: level of position, complexity of job responsibilities, geographic location, work experience, education, certifications, Federal Government contract labor categories, and contract wage rates.

At The Swift Group and Subsidiaries, you will receive comprehensive benefits including but not limited to: healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, education, and time off benefits.

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