Network Engineer, Journeyman

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Configure, sustain, oversee, and resolve issues in Cisco Nexus data-center switching environments and Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) fabrics.

• Install, set up, refresh, and troubleshoot top-of-rack and data-center switches, network appliances, and software-defined networking setups.

• Set up and address VLANs, trunks, port channels, virtual port channels, routing, access controls, and redundant pathways.

• Collect requirements and aid in the implementation of procedures, cutover plans, validation steps, rollback strategies, and outage contingencies.

• Carry out authorized installations, configuration modifications, refreshes, hardware replacements, and relocation cutovers at USMEPCOM and MEPS locations.

• Collaborate with cabling teams regarding rack designs, patching, fiber, copper, and network drops; assist with site surveys and update network diagrams, as-built documentation, and equipment inventories.

• Test devices prior to production deployment and apply approved firmware, operating system, and security updates in compliance with DISA STIGs.

• Monitor network availability, performance, capacity, and faults; troubleshoot Layer 2/Layer 3, fabric, routing, latency, packet loss, WAN, SD-WAN, firewall, VPN, wireless, and cloud connectivity issues.

• Engage in Outage Response Team activities, support diagnosis, restoration, and root-cause analysis, and coordinate escalations with senior engineers, Cisco, DISA, carriers, and vendors.

• Assist remote MEPS and other locations with router, circuit, firewall, VPN, ISP, and cloud connectivity challenges.

• Adhere to approved ITSM processes and maintain configurations, change logs, test results, troubleshooting procedures, and knowledge articles.

• Collaborate with senior network engineers, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams, government stakeholders, vendors, and the Outage Response Team.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Networking, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Three (3) to seven (7) years of pertinent experience in network engineering, network administration, data-center networking, or enterprise infrastructure.

• Current Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.

• An active Secret clearance or higher is mandatory.

• Practical experience with Cisco Nexus, ACI, software-defined networking, and policy-driven data-center network architectures.

• Proficiency in Cisco routing and switching technologies, including EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, VLAN routing, and Quality of Service.

• Experience in supporting installations, refreshes, migrations, and relocation cutovers utilizing method-of-procedure, test, rollback, and cutover documentation.

• Familiarity with network monitoring, configuration management, and observability platforms.

• Background in applying DISA STIGs and supporting DoD RMF, ATO, IAVA, CND Directive, and POA&M requirements within a federal or DoD context.

• Understanding of structured cabling, patch panels, fiber connectivity, and inside-plant infrastructure.

• Willingness to travel or provide on-site assistance as needed.

• Availability for after-hours work during maintenance windows or critical mission events.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote position.

• Travel or on-site support may be necessary for installations, site surveys, refreshes, outages, or relocation cutovers.

• After-hours work may be required during maintenance windows or mission-critical situations.