Network Operations Manager

Systems Planning & Analysis; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) is seeking a Network Manager to lead the strategy, architecture, and operations of the organization’s enterprise networking environment.

You will manage a team of three to four Network Administrators and drive secure, scalable solutions across on‑premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, aligning with DoD security requirements and industry best practices. The role requires translating complex networking concepts for technical and non‑technical audiences,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a technical field.
• 5–10 years designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructure.
• Ability to obtain 8140 certification within 6 months with SPA.
• Experience developing enterprise network architectures for highly available and secure environments.
• Experience with hybrid and cloud networking including Azure networking services.
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco switching, routing, NGFW, wireless, and 802.1X.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain secure, scalable enterprise network architectures.
• Develop standards, reference architectures, roadmaps, and tech strategy for hybrid, cloud, and on‑prem environments.
• Evaluate new networking tech to improve security, performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Lead modernization initiatives including network segmentation, Zero Trust, cloud connectivity, and SDN.
• Design, deploy, configure, maintain, and optimize network infrastructure (Routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, cloud networking).
• Monitor health and performance, diagnose issues, plan maintenance, migrations, and upgrades with minimal disruption.
• Configure and maintain security controls (NGFW, ACLs, VPNs, 802.1X, TACACS+/RADIUS, ISE).
• Ensure DISA STIGs, DoD cybersecurity requirements, and policy compliance; support CMMC, NIST, RMF.

Skills

Network design

Leadership

Security compliance

Analytical thinking

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree (CS/CE/IT or related)

Tools

Cisco Catalyst/Nexus

Cisco routing

BGP/OSPF

NGFW

802.1X

ISE/RADIUS/TACACS+

DNS/DHCP

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Network Manager is responsible for the strategy, architecture, implementation, operation, and continuous improvement of the organization’s enterprise networking environment. This role combines technical leadership with hands‑on engineering to ensure highly available, secure, and scalable network infrastructure that supports business operations and mission‑critical programs. They will also manage a team of three to four Network Administrators.

The successful candidate will lead the design, deployment, documentation, monitoring, optimization, and lifecycle management of enterprise networks across on‑premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. They will partner with internal technology teams, managed service providers, vendors, and program stakeholders to deliver resilient network solutions while maintaining compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) security requirements and industry best practices.

This position requires a technical leader who can translate complex networking concepts into practical solutions, communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences, and mentor engineering staff while driving operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Network Architecture & Strategy

• Design and maintain enterprise network architectures that are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Develop network standards, reference architectures, roadmaps, and technology strategies supporting hybrid, cloud, and on‑premises environments.
• Evaluate emerging networking technologies and recommend improvements that increase security, performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives, including network segmentation, Zero Trust adoption, cloud connectivity, and software‑defined networking technologies.

Network Engineering & Operations

• Design, deploy, configure, maintain, and optimize enterprise network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, and cloud networking components.
• Build, install, configure, upgrade, and validate network hardware and operating systems. Evaluate hardware operability for purpose and suitability for procurement.
• Monitor network health, availability, capacity, and performance to proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact operations.
• Analyze network traffic and system performance using monitoring platforms, NetFlow, packet capture, and other diagnostic tools.
• Troubleshoot complex network, routing, switching, wireless, and connectivity issues across enterprise environments.
• Plan and execute maintenance activities, upgrades, migrations, and technology refresh initiatives with minimal operational disruption.

Security & Compliance

• Configure and maintain enterprise security controls, including:
• Next‑Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
• Access Control Lists (ACLs)
• VPN technologies
• Network Access Control (802.1X)
• TACACS+
• RADIUS
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
• Certificate‑based authentication
• Implement network configurations that comply with applicable DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), DoD cybersecurity requirements, and organizational security policies.
• Support CMMC, NIST, RMF, and other regulatory or contractual compliance initiatives.
• Participate in vulnerability remediation, security assessments, and incident response activities involving network infrastructure.

Documentation & Governance

• Develop and maintain accurate network diagrams, architecture documentation, configuration standards, operational procedures, and technical runbooks.
• Maintain configuration baselines and change documentation supporting operational excellence and audit readiness.
• Ensure network environments remain well documented throughout their lifecycle.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead network engineering initiatives from planning through implementation and operational transition.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to network engineers and other infrastructure team members.
• Coordinate activities with cybersecurity, cloud engineering, systems engineering, application teams, managed service providers, and vendors.
• Participate in architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and infrastructure planning efforts.
• Communicate technical concepts, risks, recommendations, and project status clearly to both technical and executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• 5–10 years of progressively responsible experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructure.
• Either have or ability to obtain an 8140 certification within 6 months of employment with SPA.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise network architectures for highly available and secure environments.
• Experience designing and supporting hybrid and cloud networking environments, including Microsoft Azure networking services.
• Strong experience configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting:
  • Cisco Catalyst and Nexus switching platforms
  • Cisco routing platforms
  • Dynamic routing protocols (including BGP, OSPF)
  • VPN technologies
  • Next‑Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
  • Enterprise wireless solutions
  • 802.1X authentication
  • TACACS+
  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), RADIUS, TACACS+, and 802.1x
  • DNS and DHCP
  • ACL design and implementation
  • Network monitoring platforms
  • NetFlow
  • Packet capture and protocol analysis
  • RADIUS authentication
• Demonstrated ability to analyze network performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize network operations to meet business priorities.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing large‑scale enterprise network architectures supporting mission‑critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and enterprise routing design.
• Experience with Software‑Defined WAN (SD‑WAN) technologies.
• Experience with enterprise load balancing solutions.
• Experience managing DDI (DNS, DHCP, IP Address Management) platforms.
• Experience with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and certificate lifecycle management.
• Working knowledge of Zero Trust networking principles and network segmentation strategies.
• Experience implementing and maintaining environments compliant with:
  • DISA STIGs
  • CMMC
  • NIST 800‑171
  • RMF
• Experience supporting regulated government or defense environments.

Success in This Role

Success in this position is measured by the ability to deliver a secure, resilient, and scalable network environment that consistently supports organizational and mission objectives. The ideal candidate combines architectural vision with operational execution, proactively identifies opportunities for improvement, drives infrastructure modernization, maintains rigorous security and compliance standards, and serves as a trusted technical leader across the enterprise. Must have people‑management experience, ability to lead a small team of Network Administrators, and provide network services and project deliverables to meet organization requirements.

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $140,000.00/Yr. - USD $200,000.00/Yr.