SME Systems and Network Engineer

GovCIO; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Environment

Learning & Development

Certification Assistance

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking an SME Systems and Network Engineer to support mission-critical USCG IT programs. Located in Alexandria, VA on a hybrid schedule, the role requires travel up to 25% to field sites for deployment and testing of enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint devices.

The candidate will be a technical authority responsible for architecture engineering, deployment, and ongoing support, interfacing with Tier 2 teams and government leadership. Security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher certification.
• Experience as Router SME, Principal Systems Engineer, or Senior Network Engineer on large-scale federal IT infrastructure or tactical network programs.
• Hands-on experience designing, planning, configuring, and documenting network architecture using Cisco routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint solutions.
• Experience providing elevated technical support and interfacing with Tier 2 teams to engineer permanent fixes.
• Experience collaborating with logistics teams for hardware integration and lifecycle management.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% (TDY) to remote environments.
• Strong communication skills for presenting technical concepts to government leadership.
• Proficiency with network mapping tools and engineering modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary Router SME for site configurations, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Provide elevated technical support and act as escalation for Tier 2 teams.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine network architecture plans for transport platforms.
• Coordinate hardware provisioning and full lifecycle asset management with logistics.
• Lead field deployments and travel up to 25% for remote environments.
• Collaborate with USCG leadership and cross-functional teams to align capabilities.

Skills

Router SME

CASREP experience

DoD 8570 IAT Level II

Cisco routers

Cradlepoint devices

System architecture

Education

High School + 10+ years

Tools

Cisco enterprise routers

Ingest routers

Cradlepoint solutions

Job description

Alexandria, Virginia

Secret

Hybrid schedule

Information Technology

Overview

GovCIO is seeking an SME Systems and Network Engineer to support mission-critical IT programs for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This position will serve as a key technical authority and Router SME, working directly with the Transport Platform Section (TPS) to assist with mission and daily operations. This position will be located in Alexandria, VA as a hybrid position, with the requirement to travel up to 25% (TDY) or deploy to remote sites to provide network architecture plans, hardware configurations, and integration support.

Responsibilities

As an SME Systems and Network Engineer, you will serve as the primary technical expert responsible for ensuring the operational readiness, architecture engineering, and tactical deployment of complex transport and network systems within the TPS. You will provide elevated technical support, serve as a Router SME, interface directly with Tier 2 teams and multi-disciplinary engineers, and deliver hands-on routing solutions in the field. Key responsibilities include:

Technical Router Subject Matter Expertise & Configuration

Provide deep subject matter expertise to the TPS, ensuring both long-term strategic mission objectives and daily engineering operations are executed successfully.

• Act as the primary hands-on Router SME to build, apply, test, and troubleshoot site-specific configurations for enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint edge devices.

• Isolate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex, systemic hardware and software anomalies affecting critical transport and tactical network infrastructure.

Elevated Technical Support & Mission Recovery

• Rapidly respond to and resolve high-priority Casualty Reports (CASREPs) to ensure the immediate restoration of degraded or non-operational maritime and tactical network infrastructure.

• Provide advanced, elevated technical support and act as a critical escalation tier for Tier 2 teams to engineer permanent fixes.

Architecture Engineering & Design

• Develop, evaluate, and refine comprehensive network architecture plans and transport engineering designs optimized for remote, austere, and tactical environments.

• Quality-check, validate, and formally approve engineering design packages (EDPs), technical briefs, and architectural blueprints for transport platform deployments.

• Drive infrastructure innovation within the TPS by researching, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies, network modernization frameworks, and engineering best practices.

Hardware Collaboration & Logistics

• Partner closely with logistics and supply chain personnel to synchronize physical hardware pipelines, component provisioning, strategic sparing, and full-lifecycle asset management.

Field Deployments & Technical Governance

• Travel up to 25% (TDY) or deploy to remote, specialized operational sites to spearhead field engineering assessments, hardware integrations, and tactical transport rollouts.

• Collaborate directly with USCG leadership, cross-functional engineering teams, and section stakeholders to align transport platform capabilities with tactical mission requirements.

• Provide technical governance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineering personnel to maintain rigorous operational and engineering performance standards.

Qualifications

High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills & Experience

• Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+).

• Proven experience serving as a Router SME, Principal Systems Engineer, or Senior Network Engineer on large-scale federal IT infrastructure or tactical network programs.

• Extensive hands-on experience designing, planning, configuring, and documenting complex Network Architecture Plans utilizing Cisco enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint solutions.

• Demonstrated experience providing elevated technical support, interfacing with Tier 2 teams, and resolving critical network degradations under pressure (direct CASREP experience is highly preferred).

• Proven track record of working with logistics teams to manage hardware collaboration, technical integration, and full lifecycle equipment rollouts.

• Willingness and operational readiness to travel up to 25% (TDY) to remote environments to support critical transport network infrastructure stand-ups and testing.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting deep technical concepts and system architectures to high-level government and military leadership.

• Proficiency in advanced network mapping tools, systems engineering modeling software, and standard integrated tracking tools.

Clearance Level: Must have an active Secret clearance

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Preferred certifications: CCNA or CCNP (Enterprise/Routing and Switching) are highly desired.

• Direct experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard missions, specifically within the Transport Platform Section (TPS), C5I, or related engineering directorates.

• Strong understanding of military transport systems, satellite communications, tactical radios, or specialized maritime/deployable networking infrastructure.

• Experience working with secure network enclaves, cross-domain solutions, and strict federal cybersecurity compliance standards.

• Familiarity with containerization, virtualization, or transport-edge infrastructure optimization in disconnected/low-bandwidth environments.

#JP #USCG #DICE

Posted Salary Range

USD $135,000.00 - USD $175,000.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process

• Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team

• Camera must be on

• A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process

• Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening

• Background check, to include:

• Criminal history (past 7 years)

• Verification of your highest level of education

• Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Corporate Discounts

• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content

• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*

• Referral Bonus Program

• Internal Mobility Program

• Pet Insurance

• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.