Network Systems Engineer (Secret Clearance)

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Network Systems Engineer to support a large-scale federal enterprise network in Norfolk, VA. This role will focus on network infrastructure maintenance, vulnerability remediation, Cisco IOS upgrades, routing and switching, and Tier III troubleshooting across a geographically distributed environment. The engineer will work closely with network operations, engineering, security, and automation teams to maintain secure, reliable, and operationally ready network infrastructure.

This is a 100% onsite position in Norfolk, VA, Monday-Friday, and requires an active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities:

• Perform network vulnerability remediation, security patching, and operating system upgrades across enterprise infrastructure
• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and other network devices
• Perform Cisco IOS upgrades, firmware updates, and network configuration changes
• Provide Tier III support for complex routing, switching, firewall, VPN, and connectivity issues
• Support OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, MPLS, VLANs, and other enterprise networking technologies
• Troubleshoot IP addressing, interfaces, routing issues, and network connectivity
• Configure and troubleshoot firewall, VPN, and DMZ environments across platforms such as Cisco, Juniper, and Palo Alto
• Collaborate with automation teams to improve patching, configuration management, and vulnerability remediation
• Support network operations, engineering projects, incident response, and change management
• Document network configurations, procedures, troubleshooting activities, and implementation plans
• Communicate technical issues and remediation efforts to engineering teams and stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Active Secret clearance
• DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification, such as Security+ CE, CySA+, or equivalent
• Networking certification, such as Cisco CCNA, Juniper JNCIA, or equivalent
• 5+ years of hands-on network engineering experience
• Strong experience with Cisco routers, switches, and enterprise network infrastructure
• Experience with OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, MPLS, VLANs, TCP/IP, and subnetting
• Hands-on experience with network patching, Cisco IOS upgrades, firmware updates, and vulnerability remediation
• Experience troubleshooting firewalls, VPNs, DMZs, and complex network connectivity issues
• Experience providing Tier III support in production network environments
• Strong understanding of network security and enterprise infrastructure operations
• Experience with change management, network maintenance, and technical documentation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Cisco networking experience
• Experience with Juniper, Palo Alto, Brocade, or other enterprise networking platforms
• Federal or DoD network engineering experience
• Experience with Ansible, Python, or other network automation technologies
• Experience automating network configuration, patching, or vulnerability remediation
• Experience with network vulnerability management and security compliance
• CCNP, JNCIS, or other advanced networking certifications

Compensation:

• Salary: $90,000-$110,000
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, and Paid Holidays

#LI-CG2

#LI-ONSITE

Keywords: Network Engineer, Network Systems Engineer, Network Infrastructure, Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Routers, Cisco Switches, Routing, Switching, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, MPLS, VLAN, TCP/IP, Subnetting, Firewalls, VPN, DMZ, Palo Alto, Juniper, Network Security, Vulnerability Remediation, Security Patching, Firmware Upgrades, IOS Upgrades, Tier III Support, Network Troubleshooting, Network Operations, Enterprise Networking, Network Configuration, Change Management, Network Automation, Ansible, Python, DoD, Federal, Secret Clearance, Security+, CCNA