Principal Network Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

General Dynamics Information Technology; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to support a large, complex enterprise network of more than 8,000 devices. You will provide senior-level technical expertise, and lead troubleshooting efforts across diverse technologies.

The role requires active Top Secret security clearance, a Bachelor’s degree, CCNA/CCNP or equivalent, and 8+ years of experience in Cisco/Juniper environments; on-site support at the Pentagon will be required.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain SCI.
• Bachelor’s Degree; an additional 4 years may substitute for degree.
• Current IAT Level II certification and CCNA/CCNP/ACSA or related.
• 8+ years of related experience.
• Experience with Cisco and Juniper networks, SDN, VPNs, and security remediation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert in routing, switching, and network performance.
• Implement system improvements and advise leadership and clients.
• Support daily monitoring, troubleshooting, and incident resolution.
• Deploy and maintain network hardware and configurations.
• Collaborate with Security teams on vulnerability remediation.
• Develop automation scripts to improve efficiency.
• Lead technical efforts across multiple projects and mentor junior staff.

Skills

Cisco Networking

Juniper

SDN

L2/L3 protocols

VPNs

Vulnerability remediation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

SolarWinds

NetScout

NetCool

NetBrain

Infovista

ClearPass

Aruba

Arista

Job description

Job Description: Type of Requisition: Regular
Clearance Level Must Currently Possess: Top Secret/SCI
Clearance Level Must Be Able To Obtain: Top Secret/SCI
Public Trust/Other Required: None
Job Family: IT Infrastructure and Operations
Skills: Job Qualifications: Cisco Networking Infrastructure, Juniper, Network Infrastructures
Certifications: None
Experience: 8 + years of related experience
US Citizenship Required: Yes
Job Description: We are seeking a Principal Network Engineer to support a large, complex enterprise network of more than 8,000 devices. You will provide senior-level technical expertise, execute upgrades and enhancements, strengthen network security, and lead troubleshooting efforts across diverse technologies.
As a Principal Network Engineer, you will provide technical expertise to the Core Transport Network Engineering team and provide best-practice strategies while executing network enhancements, upgrades, and troubleshooting efforts in a large and complex network environment. You will be responsible for the health and maintenance of a large, complex networking infrastructure.
The Principal Network Engineer will provide comprehensive network administration, security enhancements and remediation, and troubleshooting of network devices such as routers, switches, load balancers, VPNs, 802.11 Wireless, and VoIP. This position requires an understanding of best practices pertaining to network security and may require the development, deployment, and integration of network security services. Successful candidates should be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Selected candidate will provide on-site support at the Pentagon.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT:

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert in routing, switching, and network performance.
• Implement system improvements and advise leadership and clients.
• Support daily monitoring, troubleshooting, and incident resolution.
• Deploy and maintain network hardware and configurations.
• Collaborate with Security teams on vulnerability remediation.
• Develop automation scripts to improve efficiency.
• Lead technical efforts across multiple projects and mentor junior staff.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED (Required):

Bring your technical writing expertise along with a drive for innovation to GDIT. The Principal Network Engineer must have:
Clearance: Active Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain SCI required.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree. An additional 4 years of experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
Certifications: Current IAT Level II certification. In addition, candidate must possess current CCNA, CCNP, ACSA, or related technical certification.
Experience: 8+ years of related experience.

Technical Skills:

• Extensive experience with Cisco and Juniper, SDN, L2/L3 protocols, DNS/DHCP/IPAM/NTP, firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, vulnerability remediation.
• Proficiency with tools such as SolarWinds, NetScout, NetCool, NetBrain, Infovista, ClearPass, Aruba, and Arista.
• Strong CLI configuration, hardware troubleshooting, scripting, and remote‑access support skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service abilities.
• Experience supporting DOD, DISA, or JSP Network environments.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities.
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals.
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off.
• Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace.

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY

• Explore an enterprise IT career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your desire to drive operations forward.

The likely salary range for this position is $127,500 - $172,500. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Travel Required: Less than 10%
Telecommuting Options: Hybrid
Work Location: USA VA Arlington
Additional Work Locations:

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at
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Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans