Specialist, Network Engineer (Top Secret Clearance Required)

L3Harris Technologies; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Educational assistance

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Dahlgren, VA seeks an experienced Network Plan Engineer who will design, operate, and secure enterprise networks with emphasis on Juniper, Cisco, and automation. The role supports Zero Trust, DISA STIG compliance, and high‑availability environments onsite at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren.

The ideal candidate will lead network modernization efforts, perform advanced troubleshooting, and guide junior engineers while coordinating with cybersecurity and external teams.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI access within 6 months.
• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a related field with minimum years experience.
• 6+ years of enterprise DoD/federal network experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure across classified and unclassified environments
• Administer and optimize network deployments
• Support routing and switching: BGP, OSPF, VLANs, STP
• Perform root-cause analysis of complex network incidents
• Plan network upgrades and patching with minimal impact
• Develop network diagrams, SOPs, and technical docs
• Automate configurations and deployments using scripting/templates
• Support Zero Trust initiatives and DISA STIG compliance
• Lead training and mentor junior engineers

Skills

Top Secret Clearance

6+ years DoD network experience

Juniper devices

Cisco devices

Network troubleshooting

Network automation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering/IT/Cybersecurity

Graduate Degree (optional)

Tools

Apstra Data Center Director

Cisco ISE

ViaSat encryption devices

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Network Plan Engineer

Job Code: 46430

Job Location: Dahlgren, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off)

Job Description:

As the premier provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission solutions for the United States Space Force, L3Harris is seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in designing, operating, troubleshooting, and securing enterprise networks, with particular expertise in Juniper, Cisco, Palo Alto, automation, and compliance. This role requires a highly capable engineer who can serve as a technical lead for local network modernization, resolve advanced Layer 2/Layer 3 issues, support Zero Trust initiatives, maintain DISA STIG compliance, and execute changes in high-availability environments with minimal or no downtime. This position is onsite at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, VA.

Essential Functions:

• Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure across classified and unclassified environments
• Administer and optimize network deployments
• Support routing and switching operations, including BGP, OSPF, VLANs, STP, and enterprise segmentation
• Perform advanced root cause analysis and resolution of complex network incidents affecting mission-critical operations
• Plan and execute network upgrades, patching, and lifecycle refresh efforts with minimal operational impact
• Develop and maintain network diagrams, SOPs, TTPs, implementation plans, and technical documentation
• Automate network configuration, compliance, and deployment tasks using scripting and templating tools
• Implement and maintain DISA STIG‑compliant network configurations across enterprise devices
• Support Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) initiatives through posture assessment, profiling, policy enforcement, and access control
• Manage enterprise‑scale switch provisioning and configuration standardization efforts
• Monitor network health, availability, and performance using enterprise management tools
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to junior engineers and technicians
• Coordinate with cybersecurity, systems, COMSEC, and external organizations to support network changes and vulnerability remediation
• Deliver technical briefings and status updates to leadership and stakeholders
• Support after‑hours maintenance windows and on‑call response for mission‑critical outages, as needed
• Up to 10% travel may be required

Qualifications:

• Must have an active Top Secret Clearance with ability to obtain SCI access within 6 months of hire
• Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field and a minimum of 4 years of prior relevant experience; Or, Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience; Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 8 years of prior related experience
• 6+ years of experience supporting enterprise network infrastructure in a DoD, federal, or similarly regulated environment
• Strong hands‑on experience configuring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting lifecycle management for Juniper and Cisco network devices
• Experience applying and maintaining DISA STIG compliance across network devices
• Experience leading technical training, mentoring junior staff, or serving as a team SME
• Experience with network automation using scripting, templates, or similar tools

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Ability to troubleshoot complex network issues across multi‑site or large‑scale environments
• Experience producing technical documentation, including diagrams, SOPs, and engineering procedures
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in operationally sensitive, mission‑critical environments
• Experience with multi‑vendor network fabric management using Apstra Data Center Director for provisioning, visibility, automation, and lifecycle management
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting on‑premises and off‑premises fiber optic infrastructure, including fiber patching, light‑level verification, and circuit handoff coordination with DISA and/or other government and commercial entities
• Experience implementing Zero Trust Architecture using Cisco ISE or similar technologies
• Experience configuring Arista and Dell network devices
• Experience supporting large‑scale enterprise environments with thousands of endpoints and hundreds of network devices
• Experience performing zero‑downtime upgrades in high‑availability environments
• Experience with enterprise monitoring and management platforms such as SolarWinds
• Experience supporting classified network environments
• Hands‑on experience installing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting ViaSat and GDMS Type 1 encryptors, including COMSEC/keying coordination
• Experience coordinating with multiple internal and external organizations before, during, and after planned network changes, emergency remediation, and mission‑critical maintenance windows
• Experience submitting vendor support cases for immediate resolution
• Experience with network audits, IP space analysis, and address management
• Familiarity with PL1 or similarly controlled facilities
• Active Security+ CE Certification

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia (Greater D.C. area) is $88,500-$164,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company‑paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.