Jr. Network Operations Engineer

Valiant Solutions; Forest Glen (MD); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid certifications

401K matching

Paid time off

Paid federal holidays

Job summary

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Junior Network Operations Engineer to join our federal enterprise Network Operations Center. You will triage incoming incidents, perform first-tier diagnostics, and escalate to Tier 2/3 while owning tickets end-to-end.

The role provides exposure to Cisco routing/switching, Zero Trust, and IPv6 modernization efforts. Hybrid work includes on-site in Silver Spring three days a week with two remote days, under a trust-based remote policy.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of Network Operations Center or technical help desk experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent. Trade certifications are highly preferred.
• Experience working tickets in an IT service management platform.
• Interest in building a career in enterprise network engineering, with a willingness to pursue certification while on contract.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the incident response manager for incoming tickets, owning triage, categorization, and routing to Tier 2 and Tier 3 engineers.
• Perform first-tier diagnostics, including connectivity verification, interface status checks, and switch port resets.
• Monitor the enterprise monitoring platform for alarms and open tickets proactively when thresholds are crossed.
• Escalate against defined service levels so that Priority 1 incidents receive a response within 15 minutes.
• Track ticket aging and flag overage tickets before they breach a service level.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Cisco IOS CLI

Ticket handling

Alarm triage

Technical writing

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma

Trade certifications preferred

Tools

ServiceNow ITSM

SolarWinds

Cisco IOS CLI

MS Office

Job description

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Junior Network Operations Engineer to serve as the first line of response for a federal enterprise Network Operations Center supporting roughly 50 sites nationwide. This position triages incoming incidents and service requests in ServiceNow, performs first-tier diagnostics such as connectivity verification and switch port resets, and escalates to Tier 2 and Tier 3 engineers against defined service levels. Tier 1 acts as the incident response manager on this program, which means the role carries real ownership of the ticket from intake through resolution rather than simply passing it along. The position is a structured entry point into federal network operations, with direct exposure to Cisco enterprise routing and switching, Zero Trust network access control, and an enterprise IPv6 modernization effort driven by OMB M-21-07.

Named one of the Best Places to Work in the Washington DC area for 12 consecutive years, Valiant is proud of our employee-centric culture and commitment to excellence.

This is a Hybrid Role. The position requires 3 days on-site in Silver Spring and allows for 2 days remote. Remote work requires a high level of trust in our employees, and we strictly adhere to the details outlined in our Remote Work Policy below.

Required Experience

Experience and Education

• 1 to 3 years of Network Operations Center or technical help desk experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent. Trade certifications are highly preferred.
• Experience working tickets in an IT service management platform.
• Interest in building a career in enterprise network engineering, with a willingness to pursue certification while on contract.

Technical Skills

• Networking fundamentals: the OSI model, IP addressing and subnetting, VLANs, DNS, and DHCP.
• Basic Cisco IOS command line navigation for interface status and port configuration.
• Ticket handling in ServiceNow or a comparable IT service management platform.
• Alarm triage in an enterprise monitoring tool such as SolarWinds.
• Clear technical writing for knowledge base articles and ticket documentation.
• Microsoft Office and collaboration tool proficiency.

Preferred Certifications

• CompTIA Network+ or A+.
• CCNA, or active progress toward it.
• ITIL v4 Foundation certification is preferred, given the requirement to unify operations under an ITSM framework.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the incident response manager for incoming tickets, owning triage, categorization, and routing to Tier 2 and Tier 3 engineers.
• Perform first-tier diagnostics, including connectivity verification, interface status checks, and switch port resets.
• Monitor the enterprise monitoring platform for alarms and open tickets proactively when thresholds are crossed.
• Escalate against defined service levels so that Priority 1 incidents receive a response within 15 minutes.
• Track ticket aging and flag overage tickets before they breach a service level.

Ticketing and Service Request Management

• Open, update, and close tickets in ServiceNow ITSM, capturing clear problem statements, actions taken, and resolutions.
• Process network service requests submitted through the service catalog.
• Provide status updates to requesters and government stakeholders throughout the incident lifecycle.
• Supply ticket metrics and service level performance data for the weekly and monthly status reports.

Documentation and Knowledge Base

• Write and maintain How-To articles for common troubleshooting steps so that repeat issues resolve faster.
• Keep topology diagrams and asset inventories current as devices are added, replaced, or retired.
• Support the device inventory validation effort across Cisco Catalyst and Nexus switches, Cisco Firepower Threat Defense firewalls, Cisco ISE appliances, and Ubiquiti UniFi and Meraki switches.
• Assist senior engineers with monitoring configuration, dashboard upkeep, and change documentation.

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions is a security-focused IT solutions provider with public clients nationwide. Named one of the fastest growing privately held companies by Inc. 5000, Washington Technology’s Fast 50, and Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the D.C. area, Valiant Solutions prides itself on providing its employees with great benefits and career development opportunities. As a company, we are just as committed to growing careers as we are to building world‑class IT solutions, all while enjoying an unparalleled work‑life balance. We are in a phase of tremendous growth and building the team that will take us to the next level. We seek people whose talents and accomplishments will contribute to a thriving company, who have the character to support their capacity, and can make a positive impact on our culture. Alongside our talented team, you’ll learn to think quickly on your feet and expand your own personal and professional skill set. Our management team will inspire you to consider new perspectives and challenge you to become a better practitioner in the fast‑paced industry of IT security. We hire people we respect – and we trust them to deliver results leveraging their expertise.

Benefits Snapshot (includes, but not limited to)

• Valiant contributes 25% towards Health Coverage for Family and Dependents
• 100% Paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance Policy for Full‑time Employees
• 100% Paid Certifications
• 401K Matching up to 4%
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Federal Holidays
• Wellness & Fitness Program
• Valiant University – Online Education and Training Portal
• FSA programs for: Medical Costs, Dependent Care, Transit, and Parking
• Referral Bonuses

The salary range for this position is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. It has been benchmarked in relation to the scope of the role, market rate, and internal equity. The salary for this role is expected to be in the $70,000-$85,000 range. Where a candidate falls within the band can be determined based on one or more of the following: skillset, experience level, achievements, education, geographic location, security clearance, involvement in corporate tasks, and other non‑discriminatory factors. In addition to the base salary, this role will include benefits as described above. Valiant reserves the right to adjust the salary range, experience requirements, and position responsibilities at any time without prior notice.

Remote Work Policy

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in our employees. To ensure that employee performance does not suffer in a remote work environment, all employees who telecommute are expected to have a quiet and distraction‑free workspace with adequate internet, dedicate their full attention and availability to their job duties during working hours, and maintain a schedule during core business hours that align with those of their coworkers and Valiant's clients. In alignment with Valiant's inclusive and engaging environment, cameras are encouraged and can be required to be on during virtual video conferences. Additionally, in alignment with the Office of the Inspector General’s effort to eliminate conflicting employment, all Valiant employees are required to disclose any current or future outside employment engagements. During onboarding and throughout employment, employees must disclose any current activities or intent to engage in outside employment or other professional activities and obtain written approval. Employees may not solicit or conduct any outside business during core business hours for Valiant Solutions and our clients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valiant Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Demands

Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods of time and consistent operation of a computer. Frequent communication and exchanging of accurate information via electronic communication, phones, and in person. Occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Authorization to Share Resume and Personal Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you authorize Valiant Solutions to share your resume, as well as personal information included on the resume, with its subsidiaries, affiliates and teaming partners for the purpose of considering you for this position and other available positions requiring comparable skills, education and experience. Should Valiant Solutions or its affiliates and teaming partners wish to initiate pre‑employment discussions, you will be asked to complete an employment application and related employment documents.