Technical Expert - Network Engineer

Technical Expert - Network Engineer
Location: Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Category: Technical
Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph 
Certification Requirement: DoD 8570 IAT II
Education Requirement: B.S. in technical discipline
Experience Requirement: A degree in a related field and 10+ years of experience or 15+ years of experience without a degree
Compensation Range: $150,000-$185,000
Position Overview

TAP Engineering is seeking a Technical Expert - Network Engineer to provide senior-level network engineering expertise supporting high-performance computing (HPC) servers, clusters, and specialized processing environments. You’ll design, implement, and troubleshoot complex data center networks across multi-vendor infrastructure, with a focus on reliability, performance, and security.
This role is ideal for an experienced network engineer who enjoys solving complex infrastructure challenges, working across diverse technologies, and contributing technical leadership to mission-critical environments supporting national security.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, architect, install, and configure data center network infrastructure supporting HPC environments
• Lead the deployment and configuration of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and IPsec VPN solutions
• Troubleshoot complex network, connectivity, performance, and security issues across enterprise and specialized environments
• Design and implement Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking solutions, including routing, switching, access controls, and stateful firewalls
• Support multi-vendor networking technologies, including Cisco, Juniper, F5, InfiniBand, and Fibre Channel SAN
• Configure and maintain load balancers, network security devices, and related infrastructure
• Evaluate existing network architectures and recommend improvements to reliability, performance, and scalability
• Support virtualization and containerized environments, including VMware and Solaris containers
• Develop and maintain network documentation, configurations, and technical procedures
• Use network management, monitoring, and ticketing tools to track and resolve operational issues
• Provide technical guidance and collaborate with system, software, and infrastructure engineers
• Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to mission-critical network incidents

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph (most recent poly within the last 7 years)
• DoD 8570 IAT II certification
• Demonstrated experience designing and architecting data center networks
• Advanced experience with Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and IPsec VPNs
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, routing and switching protocols, and Layer 2/Layer 3 networking
• Strong understanding of stateful firewalls and Layer 3 access controls
• Experience with Cisco IOS, CatOS, and/or NX-OS
• Experience with technologies such as F5 load balancers, Juniper, InfiniBand, and Fibre Channel SAN
• Familiarity with network management, authentication, and monitoring tools such as CiscoWorks, TACACS+, and HP OpenView
• Experience supporting VMware and/or Solaris container environments
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools and enterprise ticketing systems
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a live operational environment and participate in on-call support

Benefits Overview
TAP Engineering offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off: 15–25 days annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays (never use-or-lose)
• Retirement: Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through match and profit sharing
• Medical Coverage: Free medical insurance for employees, with optional buy-up plans for dependents
• Dental & Vision: Employer-paid plans with optional enhancements
• Insurance Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care FSAs
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework
• Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support
• Performance-Based Rewards: Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses

Clearance Requirement
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with Full Scope Polygraph, based on a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI/SBI). Clearance and polygraph processing will be completed by the U.S. Government. Factors considered for U.S. Government security clearance eligibility include, but are not limited to:

• U.S. citizenship
• Favorable criminal history review
• Education verification
• Drug and substance use review
• Credit history review
• Subject interview

Additional Information
By submitting your resume for this position, you acknowledge and agree that TAP Engineering may share your resume and related application materials with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for consideration for other available positions.

TAP Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.