Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Network Engineer Tier 3 (Top Secret) to join a NNSA Program located in Washington, DC through 100% full onsite presence. The Network Engineer Tier 3 (Top Secret) will provide expert-level support for LAN/WAN infrastructure, network security, & system integration. The role involved configuring & optimizing complex networks, using technologies like Cisco, Palo Alto, & F5, while ensuring secure, high-performance operations across critical federal environments.

Responsibilities of the Network Engineer Tier 3 (Top Secret) include:

• Design, Configure, & Maintain Network Infrastructure: implement and optimize LAN/WAN systems including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and load balancers (Cisco, Palo Alto, F5)
• Monitor and Troubleshoot Network Performance: use network management tools to analyze traffic, resolve outages, and ensure high availability across voice, video, and data services
• Apply Security Protocols and Patches: ensure timely updates and hardening of network devices to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate vulnerabilities
• Support Data Center and Virtualization Systems: collaborate on infrastructure expansion, manage storage systems, and assist with virtualization technologies
• Collaborate Across Teams: work with cross-functional IT and engineering teams to resolve complex technical issues and support enterprise-wide initiatives
• Maintain Asset Inventory and Documentation: track hardware/software components and produce detailed reports on network status, incidents, and upgrades
• Lead or Assist in Network Projects: provide technical input during planning, execute upgrades, and ensure timely completion of network-related initiatives

Qualifications of the Network Engineer Tier 3 (Top Secret) include:

• Advanced Networking Expertise: strong hands-on experience with Cisco routers/switches (IOS/NX-OS), Palo Alto NextGen firewalls, VPNs, and F5 Load Balancers (GTM/Big DNS)
• Protocol Proficiency: deep understanding of Layer 2/3 protocols & encryption standards such as BGP, VLAN, IPsec, TLS/SSL, SSH, DNS, NTP, LACP, ARP, and 802.1x
• Operating System Knowledge: technical proficiency with Windows, Linux, and Unix systems
• System hardening & integration with network services
• Security and Compliance Skills: experience with network security, traffic analysis, incident response, and vulnerability management
• Project and Documentation Skills: ability to lead network projects, track tasks across multiple initiatives, and produce detailed technical documentation and reports
• Active DOE Q clearance or Top Secret clearance
• Certifications: CCNA, CCNP, Network+ (preferred)

Compensation for the Network Engineer Tier 3 (Top Secret) includes:

• Salary Range: $160,000-$175,000 depending on experience
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Plan, Holidays, PTO, Education Incentives, sick leave as required by law

Keywords: network, networking, network engineer, tier 3, Washington, dc, district of Columbia, expert, expert-level, LAN, WAN, large area network, wide area network, infrastructure, network security, system integration, configure, configuring, optimize, optimizing, cisco, palo alto, f5, secure, security, high performance, high-performance, federal, environment, design, configure, maintain, network infrastructure, router, switches, routers, switch, firewall, VPN, load balancer, virtual private network, monitor, troubleshoot, network performance, network management tools, analyze traffic, resolve outages, high availability, HA, voice, voice services, video, video services, data services, data, Security Protocol, patch, update, hardening, harden, mitigate, vulnerability, vulnerabilities, vulnerable, Data Center, Virtualization System, infrastructure expansion, storage system, virtualization technologies, virtualization technology, IT, engineer, Asset Inventory, documentation, hardware, software, report, network status, incident, planning, cisco router, ios, nx-os, nx os, palo alto nextgen firewall, firewall, palo alto, nextgen, next gen, gtm, big dns, layer 2, layer 3, encryption, bgp, vlan, ipsec, tls, ssl, ssh, dns, ntp, lacp, arp, 802.1x, windows, linux, unix, harden, integration, integrate, network services, compliance, security, ts, top secret, topsecret, clearance, q clearance, q, ccna, ccnp, network+, network +, net+, net +, networkplus, network plus, net plus, netplus, cisco certified network associate, cisco certified network professional, lead, track, technical documentation, report

• Design, Configure, & Maintain Network Infrastructure: implement and optimize LAN/WAN systems including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and load balancers (Cisco, Palo Alto, F5)
• Monitor and Troubleshoot Network Performance: use network management tools to analyze traffic, resolve outages, and ensure high availability across voice, video, and data services
• Apply Security Protocols and Patches: ensure timely updates and hardening of network devices to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate vulnerabilities
• Support Data Center and Virtualization Systems: collaborate on infrastructure expansion, manage storage systems, and assist with virtualization technologies
• Collaborate Across Teams: work with cross-functional IT and engineering teams to resolve complex technical issues and support enterprise-wide initiatives
• Maintain Asset Inventory and Documentation: track hardware/software components and produce detailed reports on network status, incidents, and upgrades
• Lead or Assist in Network Projects: provide technical input during planning, execute upgrades, and ensure timely completion of network-related initiative