Tier 3 Network Engineer (Top Secret)

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Network Engineer Tier 3 to support a federal program with the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in Washington, DC (Onsite). The Network Engineer Tier 3 will provide advanced network engineering, administration, and troubleshooting support for secure enterprise environments, ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of critical infrastructure.

Network Engineer Tier 3 - Location: Washington, DC (Onsite)

Responsibilities of the Network Engineer Tier 3 include:

• Install, configure, maintain, and optimize LAN/WAN infrastructure including Cisco routers, switches, Palo Alto firewalls, VPNs, F5 load balancers, and security appliances
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve complex network performance, routing, switching, voice, video, and data service issues
• Support data center network infrastructure, virtualization environments, infrastructure upgrades, and expansion projects
• Implement network security controls, apply security patches, and support disaster recovery and continuity initiatives
• Provide technical recommendations, maintain network asset inventories, generate reports, and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams

Qualifications for the Network Engineer Tier 3 include:

• Active DOE Q Clearance or Active Top Secret Clearance required
• 7+ years of network engineering experience supporting enterprise or government environments
• Hands-on experience with Cisco routing and switching (IOS/NX-OS), Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls, VPN technologies, and F5 Load Balancers (GTM/Big-IP DNS)
• Experience with General Dynamics TACLANE devices and/or GEMOne network management solutions
• Strong knowledge of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking, BGP, VLANs, DNS, IPsec, TLS/SSL, SSH, 802.1x, LACP, LLDP, NTP, and encryption technologies
• Experience supporting Windows and Linux/Unix operating systems, network security, packet analysis, vulnerability management, systems hardening, and incident response
• Proven experience with network design, implementation, troubleshooting, and performance optimization
• Must be eligible to work in the United States and obtain and maintain required government security clearances

Compensation for the Network Engineer Tier 3 includes:

• $175,000
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, Sick Leave if required by law, and Paid Holidays

This job opens for applications on October 20, 2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Keywords: Network Engineer, Network Specialist, Cisco IOS, Cisco NX-OS, Palo Alto Firewall, VPN, F5 Load Balancer, GTM, Big-IP DNS, TACLANE, GEMOne, LAN, WAN, Routing, Switching, BGP, VLAN, DNS, IPsec, TLS, SSH, Network Security, Incident Response, Windows, Linux, Data Center, NNSA, DOE, Top Secret Clearance, DOE Q Clearance, Washington DC, Government Contracting.

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