Network Administrator

Agile Defense; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Agile Defense, Inc. seeks a Senior Network Operator to manage, secure, and maintain critical DoD network infrastructure at Redstone Arsenal.

You will enforce strict STIG-based controls, implement automation, and ensure high availability of mission-critical services across Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco Catalyst switches, ISE, and 9800 wireless controllers. You must hold an active DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance and a DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance required.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE) is mandatory.
• In-depth hands-on experience with Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco switching, ISE, and wireless controllers.
• Strong scripting/automation skills in Python, PowerShell, or Ansible; Bash preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, and maintain Palo Alto firewalls and security policies.
• Manage Cisco campus networks (9300/9400) and NAC via ISE, ensuring uptime and security.
• Oversee wireless infrastructure with 9800 controllers and related APs.
• Enforce STIGs and DoD cyber directives; perform regular security audits and remediation.
• Develop automation scripts to improve routine network tasks and compliance checks.
• Provide senior technical support and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Palo Alto Firewalls

Cisco Catalyst 9300/9400

Cisco ISE NAC

Cisco 9800 Wireless Controllers

DoD STIGs & security compliance

Automation scripting (Python/PowerShel

Bash scripting

Network administration & Troubleshoo

DoD security clearance (Secret/Top-Ser

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

Palo Alto PAN-OS/Panorama

Cisco ISE

F5 BIG-IP

Elasticsearch/Elastic Stack

Splunk

SolarWinds

Wireshark

Job description

About Agile Defense

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility - leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.

Requisition #: 1982

Job Posting: Senior Network Engineer / Admin

Location: Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 35898

Clearance: Active DoD Secret Clearance Required

Certification: Must hold a DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE).

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Network Operator to manage, secure, and maintain the critical network infrastructure at a premier US Army installation. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in a range of advanced networking technologies and a comprehensive understanding of Department of Defense (DoD) security protocols. This role is essential for ensuring the stability, integrity, and security of network services that support critical mission objectives. You will be responsible for enforcing rigorous security standards, including STIGs, and leveraging automation to enhance network efficiency and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

Network Administration

• Administer, configure, and maintain Palo Alto firewalls, ensuring robust security policies and threat prevention.
• Manage and troubleshoot complex campus networks built on Cisco Catalyst 9300 stacked switches and 9400 series chassis.
• Implement and manage network access control (NAC) policies using Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
• Oversee the configuration, deployment, and management of a large-scale wireless infrastructure using Cisco 9800 Wireless Controllers.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure all network devices are configured and maintained in strict compliance with DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and Army cybersecurity directives.
• Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and remediation activities in response to ACAS and CTO initiatives.
• Respond to and investigate cybersecurity incidents in coordination with the security operations team.

Network Automation

• Develop and maintain scripts using Python, PowerShell, or Ansible to automate routine network administration tasks, device configuration, and compliance checks.
• Experience with Linux Bash scripting is also preferred.
• Assist in the development of a network automation framework to improve operational efficiency.

Operations & Support

• Monitor network performance, troubleshoot complex connectivity and performance issues, and ensure high availability of all network services.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate documentation of network architecture, device configurations, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Provide senior-level technical support and mentorship to junior team members.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 5+ years of experience as a Network Engineer or Senior Network Operator in a DoD or similar high-security environment.

Security Clearance: Must possess an active DoD Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Technical Expertise:

• In-depth, hands-on experience with Palo Alto Firewalls (PAN-OS, Panorama).
• Advanced knowledge of Cisco Switching (Catalyst 9300 & 9400 series, StackWise Virtual, high availability).
• Proven experience deploying and managing Cisco ISE for 802.1x and NAC.
• Strong proficiency in managing campus mesh Cisco 9800 Wireless Controllers and associated Wi-Fi 6 access points.
• Basic knowledge of F5 BIG-IP load balancers (LTM).
  • Security Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of DoD STIGs for network devices.
  • Automation: Basic scripting and automation skills with at least one of the following: Python, PowerShell, or Ansible.

Certification: Must hold a DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE).

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical experience with managing and deploying Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) concepts.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access).
• Knowledge of VPN-less Network solutions and secure remote access technologies.
• Familiarity with Privileged Access Security/Management (PASM/PAM) solutions.
• Experience with IPv6 planning, implementation, and management.
• Experience using Elasticsearch (Elastic Stack) for log analysis and monitoring.
• Advanced industry certifications such as CCNA, CCNP Enterprise/Security, or Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE).
• Experience with advanced network monitoring, logging, and analysis tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Splunk, Wireshark).
• Advanced scripting capabilities for complex network automation workflows.
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field.

Our Core Values

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.

What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

• Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
• Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication, and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
• Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
• Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
• Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities