Network Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Overview:

Job Title: Network Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Security Clearance: TS w/SCI Eligibility

Location: Fort Meade, MD

(Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.)

Description:

C3EL is seeking a highly experienced Network Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support a mission-critical IP voice transport network at Fort Meade, MD. This role requires a senior-level engineer with a strong background in designing, optimizing, securing, and maintaining complex enterprise networks with a focus on high availability and performance. The SME will serve as a Tier 3 escalation point and lead continuous service improvements, technical documentation, and mentorship efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to:

• Provide Tier 3 escalation support for complex network and security issues.
• Design, implement, optimize, and maintain secure enterprise network infrastructure.
• Conduct comprehensive network assessments and vulnerability analysis; develop mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain network documentation including Engineering Implementation Plans (EIPs), standard operating procedures, and diagrams.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts as part of problem management activities.
• Coordinate and execute network upgrades, migrations, and deployments with cross-functional teams.
• Manage vendor relationships and facilitate timely resolution of incident support issues.
• Perform network monitoring, capacity planning, and recovery processes.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance service delivery.
• Mentor junior engineers and support team training initiatives.
• Support infrastructure testing, installation, and transition to operations.
• Provide configuration and sustainment support to JITC lab components.
• Serve as the primary support engineer for Continuity of Operations (COOP) capabilities.
• Review and address ACAS scan results and collaborate with ISSM/ISSO on security compliance.
• Support lifecycle sustainment and technology refresh planning.
• Utilize the designated ticketing system for documentation and knowledge management.
• Coordinate with OEM and government engineering resources to ensure support alignment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active, in-scope US government issued Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Security+ Certification or other DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification.
• Deep understanding of network security principles, architectures, and IT infrastructure.
• 10+ years of hands-on network engineering experience, including:
• Routing and switching (e.g., BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VLANs, STP).
• MPLS, VPNs, VoIP, multicast protocols.
• Subnetting and IP address planning.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills, including to senior leadership

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Juniper MX, EX, and SRX platforms.
• Familiarity with SIP architecture and implementation.
• Experience with Ribbon Session Border Controllers (SBC).
• Proficiency in SolarWinds and Splunk tools.
• Knowledge of NetOps principles including change, configuration, and performance management.
• IAT Level III Certification (e.g., CISSP or equivalent).

Education:

• 12–15 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 10–13 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree (Additional years of experience may be substituted for education at the hiring manager’s discretion).