Network Security Engineer, Lead | Top Secret w/SCI eligibility

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Ridgecrest (CA)

On-site

USD 160,000 - 180,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid leave

Retirement plans

Insurance programs

Education and training assistance

Job summary

AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a 100% employee-owned federal contractor, seeks a Lead Network Security Engineer to secure classified DoD network infrastructure at China Lake, CA. You will bring Cisco engineering and cybersecurity expertise to keep mission systems secure, reliable, and available.

You will lead hands-on configuration, monitoring, and incident response while collaborating with customers and vendors. A Top Secret clearance and DoD experience are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

Active TS clearance with SCI eligibility and SAP access capability.
U.S. citizenship required for DoD clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in IT or Cybersecurity.
8–10 years’ DoD/network experience.
CCNA certification.
DoD 8140 IAT Level III certification (e.g., CASP+ CE, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP or equivalents).
Hands-on experience configuring Cisco network infrastructure.
RMF/vulnerability management and patching experience.
Experience with Solaris/Linux/UNIX.
Experience with intrusion detection systems and firewalls.

Responsibilities

Configure, administer, and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches supporting classified networks.
Install, maintain, and optimize enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure.
Monitor network health, system logs, backups, and scheduled jobs for reliability.
Support remote users with equipment setup and Layer 2/3 connectivity troubleshooting.
Diagnose and resolve Cisco infrastructure, VPN, and VMware‑related connectivity issues.
Perform authorized software installations, upgrades, license management, and security patching.
Manage user accounts and access controls per cybersecurity practices and customer requirements.
Support incident response, vulnerability remediation, and risk identification.
Maintain network procedures, documentation, and operational standards.
Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to resolve issues.
Work with minimal supervision while improving security posture.

Skills

Top Secret clearance w/SCI eligibility

US citizenship

DoD enterprise networks experience

CCNA

IAT Level III (DoD 8140)

Cisco network infra

RMF experience

Vulnerability management

Unix systems

IDS/Firewalls

COOP planning

Enterprise integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT, Cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Cisco

VMware

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a 100% employee-owned federal contractor, is seeking a Lead Network Security Engineer to help operate and secure classified network infrastructure for a Department of Defense customer at China Lake, CA.

In this role, you’ll bring together hands‑on Cisco network engineering and cybersecurity skills to keep mission systems secure, reliable, and available. You’ll work independently on assigned priorities while partnering closely with technical teams, customers, and vendors to solve operational challenges.

Responsibilities

As a Lead Network Security Engineer with AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will:

Configure, administer, and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches supporting classified networks.
Install, maintain, and optimize enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure.
Monitor network health, system logs, backups, and scheduled jobs to help ensure reliable day‑to‑day operations.
Support remote users with equipment setup and Layer 2/Layer 3 connectivity troubleshooting.
Diagnose and resolve Cisco infrastructure, VPN, and VMware‑related connectivity issues.
Perform authorized software installations, upgrades, license management, and security patching.
Manage user accounts and access controls in alignment with cybersecurity best practices and customer requirements.
Support incident response, vulnerability remediation, and identification of potential security risks.
Help maintain network procedures, technical documentation, and operational standards.
Collaborate with internal teams and vendor representatives to resolve technical and operational issues.
Work with minimal supervision while contributing to the overall security posture of the environment.

Qualifications

Active Top Secret clearance w/SCI eligibility and ability to obtain SAP access
U.S. citizenship, required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field. Additional relevant experience may be considered in place of a degree.
8-10 years of experience supporting enterprise networks in DoD, federal, or similarly regulated environments
CCNA certification (or ability to successfully obtain within 6 months of hire)
DoD 8140 IAT Level III certification, such as CASP+ CE, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP or Associate, GCED, GCIH, CCSP, or CISM
Hands‑on experience configuring and maintaining Cisco network infrastructure
Experience supporting or implementing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) in accordance with DoD and Department of the Navy cybersecurity requirements
Familiarity with vulnerability management, patch compliance, and information assurance controls
Experience supporting Solaris, Linux, or UNIX‑based systems
Experience installing or configuring intrusion detection systems, firewalls, or other perimeter defense technologies
Experience supporting continuity of operations planning, failover testing, or system‑availability documentation
Experience integrating network infrastructure with broader enterprise systems

Growth Opportunity

Candidates who have limited Solaris or systems engineering experience but strong network security fundamentals and a willingness to learn may be considered.
This role offers the opportunity to build experience across network engineering, systems administration, and cybersecurity.

Note: This position supports a classified DoD environment. Candidates must be able to meet all security clearance and customer access requirements.

Pay Transparency Statement

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee‑owners. The salary range for this position is USD $160,000.00/Yr. - USD $180,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law.