Network Engineer - SME

Accenture PLC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture Federal Services seeks a seasoned Network Engineer (SME) to lead architecture, zero-trust design, and cross-enclave interoperability for mission-critical, highly secure environments.

You will design, implement, and optimize resilient networks, guiding governance and security standards while collaborating with security, architecture, and operations teams to deliver secure communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 10 years designing and supporting enterprise network environments.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, network security, and access control technologies.
• Experience implementing zero-trust architectures and secure communications solutions.
• Advanced troubleshooting and network performance analysis skills.
• Experience supporting mission-critical, highly secure, or regulated environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and technical documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise network architectures that support secure, mission-critical operations.
• Lead zero-trust network design initiatives and cross-enclave interoperability solutions.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, and security across complex, multi-enclave environments.
• Establish and enforce network security architecture standards and governance processes.
• Drive network modernization efforts aligned with enterprise strategy and zero-trust principles.
• Ensure secure communications and connectivity across classified and highly regulated environments.
• Provide technical leadership for network infrastructure planning and implementation.
• Partner with security, architecture, and operations teams to maintain resilient network systems.

Skills

Routing

Switching

Firewalls

VPNs

Network security

Access control

Zero-trust

Leadership

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

At Accenture Federal Services, nothing matters more than helping the US federal government make the nation stronger and safer and life better for people.Our 13,000+ people are united in a shared purpose to pursue the limitless potential of technology and ingenuity for clients across defense, national security, public safety, civilian, and military health organizations.

Join Accenture Federal Services, a technology company within global Accenture. Recognized as a Glassdoor Top 100 Best Place to Work, we offer a collaborative and caring community where you feel like you belong and are empowered to grow, learn and thrive through hands‑on experience, certifications, industry training and more.

Join us to drive positive, lasting change that moves missions and the government forward!

Who you are:

The Network Engineer (SME) serves as the principal authority for network architecture, zero‑trust network design, and cross‑enclave interoperability. This role leads the design, implementation, and optimization of resilient, secure network infrastructures supporting mission‑critical operations. The SME provides strategic and technical leadership in network modernization, security architecture, and performance optimization while ensuring secure and reliable communications across complex, multi‑enclave environments.

What you do:

• Design and implement enterprise network architectures that support secure, mission‑critical operations.
• Lead zero‑trust network design initiatives and cross‑enclave interoperability solutions.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, and security across complex, multi‑enclave environments.
• Establish and enforce network security architecture standards and governance processes.
• Drive network modernization efforts aligned with enterprise strategy and zero‑trust principles.
• Ensure secure communications and connectivity across classified and highly regulated environments.
• Provide technical leadership for network infrastructure planning and implementation.
• Partner with security, architecture, and operations teams to maintain resilient network systems.

What you need:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience designing and supporting enterprise network environments.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, network security, and access control technologies.
• Experience implementing zero‑trust architectures and secure communications solutions.
• Advanced troubleshooting and network performance analysis skills.
• Experience supporting mission‑critical, highly secure, or regulated environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and technical documentation skills.

Nice to have:

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Experience supporting federal, defense, intelligence, or classified network environments.
• Expertise with multi‑enclave or cross‑domain network architectures.
• Experience with cloud networking, software‑defined networking (SDN), and hybrid cloud environments.
• Knowledge of security accreditation processes and compliance frameworks.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, JNCIP, JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, or equivalent.

Security Clearance:

• Active Top Secret, TS/SCI, or TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance required, depending on position

As required by local law, Accenture Federal Services provides reasonable ranges of compensation for hired roles based on labor costs in the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia . The base pay range for this position in these locations is shown below. Compensation for roles at Accenture Federal Services varies depending on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Accenture Federal Services offers a wide variety of benefits. You can find more information on benefits here. (https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/your-future-rewards-benefits) We accept applications on an on‑going basis and there is no fixed deadline to apply.

The pay range for the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia is:

$106,300—$221,100 USD

What We Believe

As a company wholly dedicated to serving the US federal government, we bring together the best talent to help reinvent how federal agencies operate and deliver greater value for their mission and the American people. We have an unwavering commitment to creating a culture in which all our people are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal opportunity. As a business imperative, every person at Accenture Federal Services has the responsibility to create and sustain a culture where everyone feels welcomed and included. This is grounded in our core values and our experience that hiring and developing great people who reflect different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds is key to driving innovation and delivering the results that our clients and the country count on.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. Our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and our communities. For details, view a copy of theAccenture Federal Services Equal Opportunity Policy Statement. (https://afscommunities.force.com/careers/s/equal-opportunity-annual-policy)

Accenture Federal Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Additionally, as an Aff… etc.

Requesting An Accommodation

Accenture Federal Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or religious observances, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you __ are being considered for employment opportunities with Accenture Federal Services and need an accommodation for a disability or religious observance during the interview process or for the job you are interviewing for, please speak with your recruiter.

Other Employment Statements

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Candidates who are currently employed by a client of Accenture Federal Services or an affiliated Accenture business may not be eligible for consideration.

Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Additionally, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Company's legal duty to furnish information.

California requires additional notifications for applicants and employees. If you are a California resident, live in or plan to work from Los Angeles County upon being hired for this position, please click here (https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/life-at-accenture/e-verify-legal-notices) for additional important information.