Senior Network Engineer - Routing & Switching

Job Summary
JCS Solutions is seeking a Senior Network Engineer specializing in Routing and Switching to engineer, implement, and sustain enterprise network infrastructure across a large, geographically distributed Department of Defense environment. This role provides hands-on ownership of complex routing and switching initiatives, supporting network modernization, operational excellence, and enterprise connectivity.
The successful candidate will design, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize enterprise routing and switching environments while serving as a senior escalation point for complex network issues. The engineer will support infrastructure modernization efforts, network lifecycle management, performance optimization, and operational sustainment across mission-critical environments.
This position requires a highly technical engineer who is equally comfortable designing network solutions, executing production changes, troubleshooting complex issues, and developing the implementation plans and documentation necessary to maintain enterprise stability and security.

Location: Ft. Meade, MD
Clearance: Secret
Salary: $106,000.00 - $152,000.00
Certification: Active DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification.

What you will do:

Routing and Switching Engineering

• Engineer, configure, and implement enterprise routing and switching infrastructure, including core, distribution, access, and WAN edge environments.
• Design and implement routing policies utilizing BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and static routing.
• Configure route redistribution, filtering, summarization, path selection, and convergence optimization.
• Engineer Layer 2 network infrastructure including VLAN architecture, spanning-tree design, link aggregation, trunking, and loop prevention.
• Implement and maintain VRFs, MPLS/VPN services, tunneling, multicast, Quality of Service (QoS), and high-availability architectures.
• Perform hardware installation, configuration, software upgrades, patching, and lifecycle replacement activities.
• Baseline and optimize network performance metrics including latency, throughput, utilization, convergence, and error rates.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies that improve network capabilities and operational efficiency.

Implementation and Operations Support

• Develop implementation plans, testing procedures, rollback plans, and change documentation.
• Execute production changes during approved maintenance windows.
• Provide senior-level troubleshooting and escalation support for complex routing, switching, transport, and connectivity issues.
• Perform packet capture and protocol analysis to identify and resolve infrastructure issues.
• Support capacity planning, configuration management, and network standardization initiatives.
• Validate device compliance against approved baselines and hardening requirements.
• Coordinate with architecture, cybersecurity, operations, and project teams to successfully implement network changes.

Documentation

• Develop and maintain logical and physical network diagrams.
• Create routing standards, policy documentation, and addressing plans.
• Maintain device configuration standards and configuration baselines.
• Develop implementation procedures, rollback plans, and validation documentation.
• Create troubleshooting guides, operational procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce as-built documentation and operational handoff packages.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Specific experience, education, and training may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Current DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification or higher.
• Significant hands-on experience engineering, implementing, and troubleshooting enterprise routing and switching infrastructure at scale.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • TCP/IP
  • Subnetting
  • BGP
  • OSPF
  • EIGRP
  • VLANs
  • Spanning Tree
  • Link Aggregation
  • VRFs
  • Multicast
  • QoS
  • NAT
  • High-availability architectures
• Experience with network hardware installation, configuration, software upgrades, patching, and lifecycle replacement activities.
• Experience developing implementation plans, test procedures, rollback plans, and executing changes in production environments.
• Demonstrated packet capture and protocol analysis troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following:
  • Cisco
  • Aruba
  • Palo Alto
  • Dell
  • Infoblox
  • Brocade
• Experience documenting network designs and procedures using Visio, PowerPoint, or similar platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

How you will wow us:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise or equivalent certification.
• Experience with enterprise network modernization, migration, or large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Experience with software-defined networking technologies.
• Experience supporting SD-WAN, SD-Access, Cisco Catalyst Center (DNA Center), or similar controller-based networking solutions.
• Experience with network segmentation, network access control, and identity-based networking architectures.
• Experience integrating enterprise networking with cloud infrastructure, including hybrid connectivity and secure cloud routing.
• Experience with network automation and scripting using Python, Ansible, or infrastructure-as-code approaches.
• Experience applying DISA STIGs, vulnerability remediation, and configuration hardening standards to network devices.
• Experience using Jira, Confluence, or similar project management and knowledge-sharing tools.
• Preferred Certifications
  • Cisco CCNP Enterprise
  • Equivalent advanced routing and switching certification

At JCS Solutions, compensation is based on a number of factors such as location, qualifications, and applicable contract terms. The general salary range for this position is as follows: $106,000.00 - $152,000.00

NOTICE: Please be aware that all JCS Solutions communications related to job interviews and offers from our recruiting team willonlycome from @JCSSolutions.com. We want to emphasize thatwe do not conduct any interviews over Discord, Slack, Skype, Zoom, or any chat app.