DNS SME

System One; Fort Meade (MD); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

System One is seeking a senior DNS Subject Matter Expert to own and lead enterprise DNS architecture and operations in a DoD environment. The role partners with an established DNS leader to drive resiliency, security, and architectural excellence across a large-scale DNS platform.

The candidate will act as go-to DNS expert during outages, security events, and vulnerabilities, advising leadership and shaping future DNS directions. Hybrid onsite at Fort Meade with potential for leadership track.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in network/infra disciplines with DNS focus.
• Deep hands‑on experience managing enterprise-scale DNS environments.
• Experience as primary DNS owner, architect, or technical lead.
• Strong networking foundation for perimeter/border/enterprise architectures.
• Proven ability to stay calm and make sound decisions during high-priority incidents.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technical authority for enterprise DNS architecture, operations, and engineering.
• Share ownership of a large-scale DNS environment supporting government operations.
• Design, implement, maintain, and optimize highly available DNS services.
• Lead troubleshooting for complex DNS incidents, outages, and service disruptions.
• Assess vulnerabilities, determine operational impact, and drive remediation efforts.
• Support perimeter and border-network initiatives ensuring secure service delivery.
• Provide guidance to engineering teams and program leadership on DNS health.
• Brief stakeholders on DNS architecture, risk posture, and remediation strategies.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, network engineering, infrastructure, and operations teams.
• Drive improvements in reliability, monitoring, and automation.

Skills

DNS architecture

Enterprise DNS management

Incident response

Networking fundamentals

Leadership & mentoring

Tools

Infoblox

Job description

Job Title: DNS Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Location: Fort Meade, MD (Hybrid | 3 Days Onsite Preferred)
Clearance: Active Secret Clearance (Ability to Obtain Higher-Level Clearance if Required)
Employment Type: Full-Time / Direct Perm

About the Role

We are seeking a senior DNS Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support a mission-critical Department of Defense environment responsible for enterprise DNS infrastructure and related network services.

This role is ideal for a highly experienced DNS professional who enjoys owning complex environments, solving high-impact technical challenges, and serving as a trusted technical authority. You will partner closely with an established DNS leader to share ownership of a large-scale enterprise DNS environment and help drive architecture, operational excellence, resiliency, and security.

The successful candidate will be expected to serve as the go‑to DNS expert during outages, security events, vulnerability assessments, and critical operational incidents. This individual must be comfortable defending technical decisions, advising leadership, and helping shape the future direction of enterprise DNS services.

This position can be structured as either a Technical Lead or Senior Individual Contributor role depending on the candidate's experience and career goals.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a senior technical authority for enterprise DNS architecture, operations, and engineering.
• Share ownership of a large-scale, mission-critical DNS environment supporting government operations.
• Design, implement, maintain, and optimize highly available DNS services.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex DNS incidents, outages, and service disruptions.
• Assess and respond to emerging DNS vulnerabilities, threats, and operational risks.
• Support perimeter and border-network initiatives, ensuring secure and resilient service delivery.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to engineering teams and program leadership.
• Brief technical and non-technical stakeholders on DNS architecture, operational health, risk posture, and remediation strategies.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, network engineering, infrastructure, and operations teams.
• Drive improvements in service reliability, resilience, monitoring, automation, and operational readiness.
• Support accreditation, information assurance, and compliance-related initiatives as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of experience in network engineering, infrastructure engineering, or related technical disciplines.
• Deep hands‑on expertise managing and supporting enterprise‑scale DNS environments.
• Proven experience serving as a primary DNS owner, architect, or technical lead.
• Strong networking foundation with experience supporting perimeter, border, or enterprise network architectures.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving complex DNS-related issues in production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to assess vulnerabilities, determine operational impact, and drive remediation efforts.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to engineering teams, stakeholders, and leadership.
• Proven ability to remain calm and make sound technical decisions during high-priority incidents.
• U.S. Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance or higher.
• Experience supporting DoD, Federal, Intelligence Community, or other secure government environments.
• Experience with enterprise DNS platforms such as Infoblox or comparable technologies.
• Experience supporting large-scale network infrastructure and mission-critical services.
• Knowledge of BGP routing and network architecture principles.
• Experience supporting Information Assurance, compliance, or accreditation programs.
• Familiarity with Impact Level (IL) 4/5 environments.
• Current TS/SCI clearance or ability to obtain additional clearances in the future.

What We’re Looking For

• Takes ownership and accountability for critical DNS services.
• Can quickly respond when DNS vulnerabilities, outages, or incidents occur.
• Is comfortable serving as the technical authority in discussions with leadership and stakeholders.
• Brings both strategic architectural thinking and hands‑on engineering capability.
• Has the confidence to defend technical recommendations and guide complex decision‑making.
• Thrives in fast‑paced, mission‑focused environments where reliability and responsiveness are essential.

Additional Information

• Onsite support at Fort Meade is required for classified and high-side activities.
• Local DMV candidates are strongly preferred.
• Exceptional candidates outside the immediate area may be considered.
• Opportunity to grow into expanded technical leadership responsibilities over time.
• Program work supports long‑term mission requirements within a stable and well‑established environment.

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.
System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.