Network Engineer

SMS is seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer to join the team providing Engineering services to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and supporting AFRL’s network infrastructure. You will also provide support for system installation and define, document, and implement system standards. In this role you will get to interact with Ruckus, Brocade, TACLANE, and Cisco (fiber/copper), boundary, HAIPE, and wireless networking equipment. This role requires expertise with modern networking technologies, including IPv6, 802.1x, and Cisco FMC/FTD, and offers the opportunity to work in dynamic environments.

As a dynamic systems integrator, SMS offers proven solutions in engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. With expertise in modernizing and optimizing legacy infrastructure and systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and designing, implementing, and managing secure environments, SMS supports business and mission goals with proficiency, quality, and integrity.

SMS has been serving the advanced information technology needs of the federal government since 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers’ missions for more than 45 years. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. For additional information on SMS, visit www.sms.com.

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Responsibilities

• Design, implement, maintain, monitor, and support the network infrastructure
• Ensure network availability, reliability, and security
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues
• Implement and maintain 802.1x for wired/wireless environments and oversee network segmentation.
• Monitor network performance and optimize network traffic.
• Configure, monitor, and manage Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) systems.
• Collaborate with other teams (Local and Enterprise) to ensure the network infrastructure supports their needs
• Leverage IPv6 in network design and management, ensuring seamless transition and operation.
• Documentation of topologies, change requests, root cause analysis, and knowledge bases.
• Ensure compliance with DoD network and security standards, including working with NIST and DISA guidelines

Required Experience and Skills

• 5+ years of experience in network engineering
• Knowledge of Ruckus/Cisco wired(copper/fiber), wireless, and boundary equipment
• OSPF and static routing, mGRE Tunnel, QOS, DHCP, ACLs, BGP, IPSec
• Experience implementing and maintaining 802.1x wired/wireless
• An understanding of the use and configuration of encryption devices (TACLANE)
• Experience working within NIST and DISA standards in a DoD environment
• Experience with network troubleshooting, monitoring, and management tools
• Familiarity with network automation tools (e.g., Ansible) for configuration management and deployment
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Strong knowledge of network monitoring and troubleshooting tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Wireshark)
• Excellent problem-solving skills, documentation practices, and collaboration abilities

Required Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)/RUCKUS Certified Networking Associate (RCNA) or equivalent level of vendor certifications
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) preferred
• DoD 8750 IAT Level II, CompTIA Security+CE or CCNA Security, or higher certification

Note: The above list of qualifications and certifications is not exhaustive, and other relevant certifications may also be considered.

Clearance Requirements

• Active DoD Secret security clearance required, or
• The ability onbtain an Interim DoD Secret security clearance, or higher.

Experience that will make you stand out

• Previous Ruckus experience
• General scripting experience
• Automation tool experience (Ansible, SolarWinds, etc)
• Previous work in a DoD environment
• Working knowledge of certificate-based authentication
• Familiarity with Zero Trust architectures and best practices for secure network design
• Software/Program Experience: NMCI, RDT&E, NIPRNet, SIPRNet, JWICS

SMS is a dynamic systems integrator established in 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers’ missions for more than 47 years. Our ability to hire and retain quality people in a rapidly evolving IT market is proven through our employee retention rate averaging over 3 years. At SMS, we place a high value on quality of service, customer satisfaction, and best-of-breed policies and practices, resulting in CMMI Level 3 certification and ISO registrations including 9001:2015, 20000-1:2018, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. 

SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.