Mid-Level Network Engineer - Secret or Top-Secret

Creative Solutions Services, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

IBSS Corp. in Washington, DC is seeking a Mid-Level Network Engineer to support a Federal client.

You will operate, administer, and secure on-premises and cloud-connected networks, coordinating with senior engineers to ensure reliable connectivity across locations. With 4+ years of experience and a solid background in Cisco routing, Palo Alto firewalls, and NetApp storage, you will help uphold federal security standards and contribute to planning, upgrades, and incident response for a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 4+ years of professional network engineering/administration experience.
• Hands-on experience administering Cisco routing and switching infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience administering firewall infrastructure (Palo Alto Networks preferred).
• Working knowledge of network security principles, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN, and access control technologies.
• Experience supporting mission-critical infrastructure in a Federal operations and maintenance (O&M) environment.
• Active Secret Clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage network architectures, including LAN, WAN, and cloud-connected networks
• Troubleshoot complex network issues, identify root causes, and optimize network infrastructure for performance, reliability, availability, and scalability.
• Administer, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks firewall infrastructure, including OS/software upgrades, security policies, routing, access control lists (ACLs), NAT, VPNs, security profiles, and logging.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches, and Cisco Identity Services Engine (Client), including routing protocols, routing tables, and static/dynamic routes supporting enterprise network operations.
• Administer, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot NetApp storage infrastructure supporting network and systems operations.
• Plan, implement, and manage network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control mechanisms, aligned with agency/department security policies and standards.
• Plan and execute network upgrades, expansions, migrations, and infrastructure changes while minimizing operational impact.
• Monitor network performance, availability, capacity, and health; conduct periodic network audits to identify deficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Identify, assess, and support remediation of network infrastructure vulnerabilities affecting firewalls, network devices, and NetApp storage.
• Support DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) assessments for core network devices, remediate identified findings, and document compliance.
• Support capacity planning to determine future network hardware and software requirements.
• Review and update NTIA network infrastructure documentation as infrastructure changes occur; ensure documentation remains accurate and current.
• Support annual Authorization and Accreditation (A&A)/Authority to Operate (ATO) activities, including Systems Test and Evaluation (ST&E) support.
• Support incident response activities and internal network vulnerability testing, remediation, and audit.

Skills

Cisco routing & switching

Palo Alto firewalls

Network security principles

Federal O&M experience

Active Secret Clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Cisco routers & switches

Palo Alto firewalls

NetApp storage

Job description

Job Title: Mid-Level Network Engineer

Location: Washington, DC

Clearance Required: Active Secret or Top-Secret (TS) Clearance

Salary: $115k-$140K Based on Years of Experience

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

Description

IBSS is seeking a Mid-Level Network Engineer to support a Federal customer. This individual will operate, administer, and secure the customer's on-premises and cloud-connected network infrastructure. The Mid-Level Network Engineer works alongside the Senior Network Engineer and Network Engineer/Architect to design, troubleshoot, and maintain reliable, high-performing, and secure network connectivity across the customer's Washington, DC and Boulder, CO locations, ensuring compliance with federal network security requirements throughout.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage network architectures, including LAN, WAN, and cloud-connected networks
• Troubleshoot complex network issues, identify root causes, and optimize network infrastructure for performance, reliability, availability, and scalability.
• Administer, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks firewall infrastructure, including OS/software upgrades, security policies, routing, access control lists (ACLs), NAT, VPNs (including GlobalProtect), security profiles, and logging.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches, and Cisco Identity Services Engine (Client), including routing protocols, routing tables, and static/dynamic routes supporting enterprise network operations.
• Administer, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot NetApp storage infrastructure supporting network and systems operations.
• Plan, implement, and manage network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control mechanisms, aligned with agency/department security policies and standards.
• Plan and execute network upgrades, expansions, migrations, and infrastructure changes while minimizing operational impact.
• Monitor network performance, availability, capacity, and health; conduct periodic network audits to identify deficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Identify, assess, and support remediation of network infrastructure vulnerabilities affecting firewalls, network devices, and NetApp storage.
• Support DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) assessments for core network devices, remediate identified findings, and document compliance.
• Support capacity planning to determine future network hardware and software requirements.
• Review and update NTIA network infrastructure documentation as infrastructure changes occur; ensure documentation remains accurate and current.
• Support annual Authorization and Accreditation (A&A)/Authority to Operate (ATO) activities, including Systems Test and Evaluation (ST&E) support.
• Support incident response activities and internal network vulnerability testing, remediation, and audit.

Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 4+ years of professional network engineering/administration experience.
• Hands-on experience administering Cisco routing and switching infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience administering firewall infrastructure (Palo Alto Networks preferred).
• Working knowledge of network security principles, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN, and access control technologies.
• Experience supporting mission-critical infrastructure in a Federal operations and maintenance (O&M) environment.
• Active Secret Clearance required.

Desired Skills/Certifications

• Cisco certification (CCNA/CCNP) or Palo Alto Networks certification (PCNSA/PCNSE).
• Experience supporting Department of Commerce or other Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) network environments.
• Experience administering NetApp storage infrastructure.
• Familiarity with DISA STIG compliance and remediation processes.
• Experience supporting Continuity of Operations (COOP)/Disaster Recovery planning and testing.

About IBSS Corp.

Since 1992, IBSS, a woman-owned small business, has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, climate, and weather), and professional management services.

Our approach is to serve our employees by investing in their growth and development. As a result, our employees bring greater capabilities and provide exceptional service to our clients. In addition to creating career development opportunities for our employees, IBSS is passionate about giving back to the community and serving the environment. We strive to leave something better behind for the next generation.

We measure our success by the positive impact we have on our employees, clients, partners, and the communities we serve. Our tagline, Powered by Excellence, is a recognition of the employees that make up IBSS and ensures we deliver results with quality, applying industry best practices and certifications.

IBSS offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage with a company-paid deductible, paid time off, federal holidays, a matching 401K plan, tuition/professional development reimbursement, and Flex-Spending (FSA)/Dependent Care Account (DCA) options.

IBSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Click https://www.eeoc.gov/poster to see that the EEO is the law. Please direct any inquiries to the HR Department email at [e-mail].

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Talent Acquisition Department at [e-mail]