Network Engineer

First Soft Solutions; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

First Soft Solutions seeks an experienced Network Engineer Level 2 to design, implement, and support federal network infrastructure. The role focuses on Cisco routing/switching, ISE, VPN, NAC, and wireless across large distributed environments in the United States.

You will provide advanced troubleshooting, security considerations, and operational excellence. Requirements include CCNP or equivalent, 3+ years in enterprise networking, and U.S.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 3–5 years with a Master's degree.
• CCNP or equivalent Cisco professional-level certification is required.
• Strong hands-on experience implementing and configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
• Minimum 3 years of enterprise networking experience configuring routing and switching.
• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise environments with multiple data centers and remote locations.
• U.S. Citizenship is required and ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, maintain, and support large-scale enterprise network infrastructure.
• Support Cisco technologies including Nexus, ASR, ISE, VPN, NAC, wireless, routing, and switching.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, security, and capacity.
• Validate designs and identify vulnerabilities; develop risk mitigations.
• Provide advanced Layer 3 troubleshooting and operational support.
• Monitor performance and resolve complex connectivity issues across multiple sites.
• Drive upgrades, migrations, and deployments for nationwide networks.
• Create documentation, SOPs, and best-practice procedures.
• Coordinate with vendors, teams, and customers; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Cisco routing & switching

Cisco ISE

VPN technologies

Network security

Python scripting

Regular expressions

Network troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

CCNP or equivalent

CCIE written (passed)

Tools

Nexus

ASR

NAC

Cisco ASA

Wireless LAN

Job description

Industry: Federal / Government
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Required
Clearance: Must be able to obtain Public Trust Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Network Engineer Level 2 to design, implement, maintain, and support large-scale enterprise network infrastructure within a federal environment.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with Cisco networking technologies, routing and switching, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), VPN, network access control, and enterprise network security. The position will also provide advanced troubleshooting, network optimization, implementation support, and technical guidance for large distributed environments.

• Design, configure, implement, and maintain enterprise network infrastructure.
• Support Cisco technologies including Nexus, ASR, ISE, VPN, NAC, wireless, routing, and switching.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, availability, security, and capacity.
• Validate network designs and identify security or infrastructure vulnerabilities.
• Develop and implement network risk-mitigation strategies.
• Provide advanced Layer 3 network troubleshooting and operational support.
• Monitor network performance and resolve complex connectivity and infrastructure issues.
• Support large-scale and nationwide network upgrades, migrations, and deployments.
• Develop technical documentation, operating procedures, and network SOPs.
• Evaluate emerging networking technologies and recommend implementation strategies.
• Coordinate with vendors, technical teams, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to network engineering team members.
• Communicate network issues, project status, and technical recommendations effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• 5 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 3 5 years with a Master's degree, or equivalent advanced education/experience.
• CCNP or equivalent Cisco professional-level certification required.
• Strong hands-on experience implementing and configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
• Minimum 3 years of enterprise networking experience configuring routing protocols and switching.
• Experience supporting medium-to-large enterprise environments consisting of multiple data centers and hundreds or thousands of remote locations.
• Strong understanding of network security, access control, routing, switching, and enterprise network architecture.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a Public Trust clearance.

• Recently passed the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) written examination.
• 2+ years of Python scripting experience, including Regular Expressions.
• 3+ years implementing Cisco ISE in large, multi-data-center enterprise environments.
• 3+ years deploying Cisco VPN technologies, including Cisco ASA.
• Experience supporting Cisco Wireless LAN environments across multiple offices or large campuses.
• Strong knowledge of physical networking infrastructure, cabling, wired networks, wireless networks, and associated network equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact directly with customers, management, vendors, and technical teams.