SME Network Engineer

Job Title: SME Network Engineer

Location: Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

Clearance: Secret

Program: BLITS 3.0

Company / Program Description 

Centuria, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), has been delivering IT, Engineering, and Scientific solutions to the Federal Government since 2002. During our two decades of service, we have earned the trust and respect of our government clients through technical excellence, accountability, and mission commitment.

The BLITS 3.0 Program supports the mission of the 66th Air Base Group to secure information systems, maintain mission assurance, and ensure operational readiness. This role supports enterprise cybersecurity operations by leading vulnerability management efforts across mission systems and infrastructure supporting installation and enterprise operations.

Position Overview

Centuria is seeking a highly qualified Network Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of secure enterprise network infrastructure supporting the 66 ABG/SC and its customer community. This position provides advanced technical expertise for routing, switching, network security, Cisco ISE, and voice-enabled network environments, ensuring high availability, performance, and compliance with DoD, Air Force, and DISA standards. The role serves as a senior escalation point for network operations, leads infrastructure modernization and troubleshooting efforts, and collaborates with cross-functional teams and vendors to support mission-critical services for more than 5,500 users. The ideal candidate brings extensive enterprise networking experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to operational excellence in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Job Responsibilities: 

• The candidate for this position will be responsible for designing, managing, implementing, and troubleshooting network solutions as per AF enterprise standards in support of 66 ABG/SC and their customers under Core Services.

• Deliver quality results in a fast paced, high expectation environment, working multiple tasks streams concurrently

• Assist in life cycle planning of network environments for internal customers, develop and review procedures for network infrastructure platform in relation to capacity planning, performance, reliability, and security

• Responsible for managing and maintaining a converged Gigabit Ethernet network infrastructure in support of 66 ABG/SC and their customers under Core Services

• Design, install, configure, and troubleshoot network infrastructure with short timelines using latest networking technologies and provide excellent customer support for all network related services

• Work on daily tasks and on-going upgrade projects to include remedy tickets, operational support for routers, switches, IP address management, network management tools etc. Projects include design and integration of new networks into the existing architecture

• Provide engineering support for classified, unclassified networks and other enclave networks

• Use skills and experience as well as tools and technology to design, install, configure, and troubleshoot network infrastructure and provide customer support for network services to include Voice

• Bring extensive hands-on experience in designing enterprise network solutions that will increase performance and flexibility to existing infrastructure in accordance with AF Network infrastructure policies and standards

• The position provides a wide range of services which ensure infrastructures are compliant with applicable directives, publications, and/or guidelines as governed by external DoD agencies. 

• Assist in securing network systems to meet applicable DoD, AF and DISA compliance (STIGs, Task Orders etc.)

• Participate in system maintenance/optimization/performance activities of the enterprise infrastructure

• Interface with vendors for warranty claims, hardware/software upgrades and other technology updates

• Required to diagnose data troubles, open & route trouble tickets and handle customer support cases with third party subject matter experts through tier 3 contracted support constructs and ensure proper and timely resolutions

• Required to research technical issues and develop solutions using strong attention to detail

• Support emergency operations on an as needed basis 24/7 & respond to all operational needs according to contract parameters

Job Requirements: 

B.S. Degree in IT, with concentration in Networking or Computer Science plus a minimum 10 years' experience as a Network Engineer in a senior role with very strong background in routing, switching, network design, implementation, troubleshooting and minimum 2 years’ experience is needed with implementation/configuration/troubleshooting of Cisco ISE systems.

. An additional 4 years’ network experience may substitute for the degree

• DoD 8570 Certification CompTIA Security + (obtained and active within last three years, or updated with current CEU’s within the last three years) required

• CCNA/CCNP certification is preferred

• Day to day administration and management of a highly available network infrastructure supporting over 5500+ users

• Hands-on experience in design/configuration/installation/troubleshooting of Cisco product line of routers/switches/ISE, a must

• Hands-on experience with OSPF, VRF, VRRP, QOS, VLAN, STP, Dot1x, IP access control lists, IPsec, Virtual Chassis/Stacking, a must

• Strong working knowledge and excellent troubleshooting skills of Layer 3 & Layer 2 protocols in a VoIP environment, a must

• Hands-on experience of DHCP, NMS - Orion NPM/NCM, Cisco ISE, Wireshark etc. needed

• Strong network debugging and network troubleshooting skills required

• Experience with upgrading software on network infrastructure hardware, AAA servers for device/user authentication, SNMPv3, Syslog and Network Monitor tools are needed

• Final ticket escalation points for all related network operations incidents

• Knowledge Windows/Linux operating systems an added plus

• Knowledge of Taclanes, Voice platforms, UPS is an added plus

• Knowledge of W2K16/W2K19/IIS is an added plus

• Good understanding of cabling (Fiber/CAT5E/CAT6 etc.) is required

• Coordinate and closely work with other IT operation teams

• Be disciplined in approach to operational excellence and execute detailed record keeping for adherence to locally established and required military processes and procedures services which ensure that networks are compliant with applicable directives, publications, and/or guidelines as governed by external DoD agencies

• Work with vendors, evaluate vendor hardware, software, and communications products, and make recommendations according to customer needs

• Work dynamically and effectively with people on projects (formal and informal) and conduct technical interchanges as required; responsibilities include collaborative reporting, planning and interactions with leads as well as team members and highly focused subject matter experts

• Create and maintain operational procedures, update, and maintain network topology maps using Visio, classified and unclassified

• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Must have excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills

• Strong customer service skills

• Critical thinking skills for problem identification and resolution

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Flexibility with hours is required

• Ability to lift about 50+lbs is required