Joint Fires Network (JFN) Engineer III

novulsolutions; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Holiday pay

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Parking reimbursement

Performance bonus

Job summary

novulsolutions seeks an experienced Joint Fires Network (JFN) Engineer III to support DoD network operations in a high-availability environment. You will monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain enterprise transport and IP networks powering global military communications and mission-critical services.

The role requires 4+ years in network operations, a TS/ SCI- eligibility, and a Security+ CE or equivalent certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field plus 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility.
• Current Security+ CE or DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification.
• Experience with enterprise network ops, transport networks, or NOC environments.
• Strong understanding of transport and IP network architectures and systems.
• Experience with Cisco/Juniper gear, MPLS, OTN, SDH/SONET, TDM, cryptographic devices.

Responsibilities

• Execute network operations across optical and transport platforms including routers and switches.
• Perform real-time circuit redesign and routing to restore connectivity during outages.
• Monitor alarms and events using network management tools.
• Troubleshoot outages, degradations, and performance issues for DoD comms.
• Coordinate with government and vendor teams to maximize network availability.
• Manage changes: hardware replacements, software configs, circuit mods, ASI support.
• Document outages, actions, escalations, root cause analyses, and resolutions.
• Analyze incidents to recommend corrective actions and improvements.
• Support fault management, performance monitoring, and LAN maintenance.
• Maintain awareness of transport and IP networks supporting Joint Fires and DoD needs.
• Support modernization initiatives and infrastructure upgrades.
• Develop runbooks and technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance with DoD cyber and network policies.

Skills

Network operations

IP networking

Troubleshooting

Incident response

Documentation

Security concepts

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering/IT/CS/Telecommunications/Cybersecurity

Tools

SolarWinds

JIRA

ServiceNow

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Joint Fires Network (JFN) Engineer III to support mission-critical Department of Defense network operations within a highly available Joint Fires and DISA communications environment. This role focuses on monitoring, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining enterprise transport and IP network infrastructure supporting global military communications, network availability, and operational mission requirements. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience supporting network operations, telecommunications infrastructure, transport technologies, IP networking, fault management, incident response, and circuit restoration activities. This individual will work closely with government stakeholders, network engineers, telecommunications providers, and operations teams to ensure continuous network availability across mission-critical communications systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute network operations activities including configuration, monitoring, analysis, and management of customer circuits across optical and electro-optical multiplexers, routers, switches, and transport platforms.
• Perform real-time circuit redesign and alternate routing actions to restore customer connectivity during planned maintenance events and unplanned network outages.
• Monitor network alarms, alerts, and events utilizing platform-specific network management and monitoring tools.
• Troubleshoot, isolate, and resolve network outages, service degradations, and performance issues impacting operational and mission-critical communications services.
• Coordinate with internal customers, external government agencies, telecommunications providers, and engineering support teams to ensure maximum network availability.
• Perform change management activities including hardware replacements, software configurations, circuit modifications, and Authorized Service Interruption (ASI) support.
• Utilize incident management systems to document outages, service degradations, troubleshooting actions, escalations, root cause analysis, and resolutions.
• Analyze network incidents and deficiencies while recommending corrective actions and operational improvements.
• Support fault management, performance management, alarm surveillance, LAN maintenance, and service restoration activities.
• Maintain operational awareness across transport and IP network infrastructures supporting Joint Fires and DoD communications requirements.
• Support network modernization initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and operational readiness efforts.
• Develop operational documentation, network procedures, incident reports, and technical runbooks.
• Ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements, operational procedures, and network management policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, or related technical field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility.
• Current Security+ CE or equivalent DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification.
• Experience supporting enterprise network operations, telecommunications, transport networks, or Network Operations Center (NOC) environments.
• Strong understanding of Transport and IP network architectures, topologies, and communications systems.
• Experience supporting and troubleshooting routers, switches, transport platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Experience with one or more of the following technologies: Cisco Routers and Switches, Juniper Networking Technologies, MPLS Networks, Optical Transport Networks (OTN), SDH/SONET, Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Cryptographic Devices.
• Experience performing fault isolation, incident response, outage management, and service restoration activities.
• Experience utilizing network monitoring, alarm surveillance, and incident management platforms.
• Ability to work within a 24x7 operational shift environment.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Joint Fires Network (JFN), DISA, DISN, or other DoD enterprise communications environments.
• Tech Control Facility (TCF) or Cyber Transport operations experience.
• Experience performing circuit actions, provisioning, telecommunications coordination, and vendor management activities.
• IP and Transport network architecture, engineering, or design experience.
• Experience utilizing SolarWinds, JIRA, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise operations platforms.
• Telecommunications Network Operations Center (NOC) experience.
• Experience supporting inside plant and outside plant telecommunications infrastructure.
• Experience with alarm surveillance, fault management, LAN maintenance, performance monitoring, and change management processes.
• Familiarity with military communications systems and operational mission support environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale network modernization and infrastructure upgrade initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Microsoft Teams.

Benefits

Core Benefits: Paid Time Off (PTO): TEN (10) Paid days off & FIVE (5) Floating days off. Holidays: 11 Paid Holidays. Flex time can be utilized instead of holiday time usage. Payroll: Paid Bi-Monthly. 401(k): Partnered with the SECOND LARGEST Retirement plan provider in the U.S. Guaranteed 3% match. Eligibility – 21 years of age or older, after 3 months of employment. Individual or company-wide performance and recognition awards (Quarterly). Health Benefits: UNITED HEALTHCARE PPO, extensive national coverage. INCLUDES: Medical/Dental/Vision/HSA. Eligible on the first of the month, immediately after the start date. Submit the enrollment form within 30 days of your start date otherwise, you will have to wait until October for the new year enrollment. Quality of Life Benefits: Training & Career Development. Reimbursement of Tuition and training needed to support career development. $150 monthly reimbursement contribution paid monthly towards parking expenses. Receipts must be submitted by the close of business on the 25th of each month. Reimbursements will be paid on the first payroll AFTER reimbursements are submitted each month. Special Benefits: Performance bonus – Project-based. Yearly bonus – Company based.