Network Security Engineer Senior

General Dynamics IT; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics IT is seeking a Senior Network Security Engineer to support CBP Cyber Security Directorate. The role focuses on designing, deploying, and maintaining secure enterprise network infrastructure, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and NAC, while ensuring compliance with federal standards.

You will lead security engineering efforts, mentor junior engineers, and work in a fast‑paced, mission‑critical environment to safeguard national security networks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven (7) years of hands‑on network or security engineering experience.
• Experience with enterprise‑grade firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and NAC tools.
• Detailed understanding of network protocols, architecture, and security best practices.
• Expertise maintaining network security infrastructure including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and NAC.
• Proficiency providing expert analysis of network security architectures and developing solutions to protect network assets from threats and vulnerabilities.
• Experience monitoring network security events, investigating security incidents, and implementing security enhancements to strengthen network defenses.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, engineering, and lifecycle management of enterprise network security infrastructure including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN solutions, and NAC technologies.
• Provide expert analysis of network security architectures, identify vulnerabilities, and develop mitigation strategies that align with federal and organizational security requirements.
• Monitor and interpret complex network security events, guide investigations of advanced threats, and direct response and containment activities as needed.
• Recommend and implement security enhancements to improve resilience, reduce attack surface, and support modernization of the network security environment.
• Develop, review, and enforce network security policies, standards, and procedures to meet compliance obligations under frameworks such as NIST, CIS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a technical advisor to leadership and cross‑functional teams, ensuring secure design principles are embedded into program initiatives and enterprise architecture decisions.
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and quality oversight to junior and mid‑level engineers to promote professional growth and engineering excellence.
• Develop, document, and maintain network security policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable security frameworks, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with IT, security operations, and infrastructure teams to support secure network design and operations.

Skills

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Operations

IT Network Security

Network Security Tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, or a related field

Job description

Type of Requisition:

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

None

Public Trust/Other Required:

BI Full 6C (T4)

Job Family:

Cyber and IT Risk Management

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Operations, IT Network Security, Network Security Tools

Certifications:

None Experience:

Experience:

8 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required:

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cyber Security Directorate (CSD) is leading one of the most comprehensive, mission critical cybersecurity operations in the federal government, protecting the digital infrastructure that safeguards America's borders. This multifaceted program spans 24/7/365 Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring, advanced threat intelligence, forensics, incident response, cloud and network security engineering, zero trust modernization, vulnerability assessment, and enterprise-wide risk and compliance activities. The Network Security Engineer Senior will support teams at the forefront of national security, supporting sophisticated cyber operations that defend vital systems, enable secure mission execution, and counter rapidly evolving threats. You will find this work uniquely impactful, fast‑paced, and deeply collaborative, offering the opportunity to lead high performing technical teams, shape CBP's cybersecurity strategy, and contribute directly to the protection of the nation. MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT The Network Security Engineer Senior plays a critical role in supporting the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of security technologies across enterprise networks. This role helps strengthen the organization's cybersecurity posture by ensuring network devices, configurations, and traffic flows align with modern security standards and federal requirements. Working within a fast‑paced cybersecurity mission environment, the engineer contributes to safeguarding critical systems that underpin national‑level operations.

• Lead the design, engineering, and lifecycle management of enterprise network security infrastructure including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), VPN solutions, and network access control technologies.
• Provide expert analysis of network security architectures, identify vulnerabilities, and develop mitigation strategies that align with federal and organizational security requirements.
• Monitor and interpret complex network security events, guide investigations of advanced threats, and direct response and containment activities as needed.
• Recommend and implement security enhancements to improve resilience, reduce attack surface, and support continuous modernization of the network security environment.
• Develop, review, and enforce network security policies, standards, and procedures to meet compliance obligations under frameworks such as NIST, CIS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a technical advisor to leadership and cross‑functional teams, ensuring secure design principles are embedded into program initiatives, system upgrades, and enterprise architecture decisions.
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and quality oversight to junior and mid-level engineers to promote professional growth and ensure consistent engineering excellence.
• Develop, document, and maintain network security policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable security frameworks, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with IT, security operations, and infrastructure teams to support secure network design and operations.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Minimum of seven (7) years of hands‑on network or security engineering experience.
• Experience with enterprise‑grade firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and NAC tools.
• Detailed understanding of network protocols, architecture, and security best practices.
• Expertise maintaining network security infrastructure including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, VPNs, and network access controls.
• Proficiency providing expert analysis of network security architectures and developing solutions to protect network assets from threats and vulnerabilities.
• Experience monitoring network security events, investigating security incidents, and implementing security enhancements to strengthen network defenses.
• Expertise developing network security policies, procedures, and standards while ensuring compliance with security frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Experience monitoring and responding to security incidents.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS)..
• Preferred certifications may include: CISSP
• CCSP
• CCNP Security
• CompTIA Security+
• CCNA or CCNA Security

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree preferred in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, or a related field. Minimum of seven (7) years of hands‑on netwo