Principal Network Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

General Dynamics Information Technology; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to support a large enterprise network at the Pentagon. You will deliver senior-level expertise, perform upgrades, strengthen security, and troubleshoot across Cisco/Juniper environments.

On-site at the Pentagon, you will mentor staff and lead multi-project efforts. Required: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility, a Bachelor's degree (4 years may substitute with experience), IAT Level II, and CCNA/CCNP/ACSA

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; 8+ years of related experience.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required.
• Current IAT Level II certification and CCNA/CCNP/ACSA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME in routing, switching, and network performance.
• Lead upgrades, enhancements, and troubleshooting for a large enterprise network.
• Deploy and maintain network hardware and configurations.
• Coordinate with Security teams on vulnerability remediation.
• Develop automation scripts to improve operations.
• Mentor junior staff and lead technical efforts across projects.

Skills

Cisco

Juniper

SDN

L2/L3 protocols

DNS/DHCP/IPAM/NTP

Firewalls

IDS/IPS

VPNs

Vulnerability remediation

CLI

Scripting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

SolarWinds

NetScout

NetCool

NetBrain

Infovista

ClearPass

Aruba

Arista

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 DOW, DISA, or JSP Network environments.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.

• 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.