Design Engineer - Core (WAN)

Footbridge Federal; Centreville, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Footbridge Federal seeks a senior network architect to lead the architecture and design of enterprise MPLS WAN services within cleared environments. You will drive technical decisions, ensure lab-validated solutions, and guide teams through security accreditation processes.

The role emphasizes hands-on router engineering, MPLS WAN principles, and lab testing, with a strong focus on producing thorough architectural documentation and enabling proactive network analysis to support operations.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a CI Polygraph.
• Compliance with DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification standards.
• Extensive background in hands-on router engineering, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Solid foundation in MPLS WAN design principles and lab testing methodologies.
• Minimum 16 years of combined professional experience and education (e.g., Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience).

Responsibilities

• Drive the overall architecture and solution design for enterprise MPLS WAN services.
• Conduct equipment evaluations, integration, and testing within a lab environment.
• Assist technical teams through the network security accreditation process.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical and architectural documentation.
• Deliver Tier-4 escalation support and create proactive network analysis tools for operations.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

CI Polygraph

DoD 8140 IAT II

Router engineering

MPLS WAN design

Lab testing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• Drive the overall architecture and solution design for enterprise MPLS WAN services
• Conduct equipment evaluations, integration, and testing within a lab environment
• Assist technical teams through the network security accreditation process
• Produce and maintain detailed technical and architectural documentation
• Deliver Tier-4 escalation support and create proactive network analysis tools for operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a CI Polygraph
• Compliance with DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification standards
• Extensive background in hands-on router engineering, operation, and troubleshooting
• Solid foundation in MPLS WAN design principles and lab testing methodologies
• Minimum 16 years of combined professional experience and education (e.g., Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience)

Required Skills

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a CI Polygraph
• Compliance with DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification standards
• Extensive background in hands-on router engineering, operation, and troubleshooting
• Solid foundation in MPLS WAN design principles and lab testing methodologies
• Minimum 16 years of combined professional experience and education (e.g., Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience)

Security Clearance

• Level: TS/SCI
• Health and Financial Foundation — Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits — PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development — The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.

About Footbridge

Mission

Footbridge Federal delivers engineering, cyber, mission IT, analytics, and cleared program support for defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland security, and research missions.

Culture

Mission Context Matters

Candidates should expect work tied to defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland, and research missions rather than generic commercial delivery.

Small-Team Accountability

The culture copy emphasizes ownership, communication, and practical execution across teams that work close to customers and program outcomes.

Growth With Technical Credibility

Career content supports hands-on technical growth, certifications, internal mobility, and program leadership without forcing one career track.

Benefits & why work here

• Health and Financial Foundation: Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits: PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development: The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.