Network Engineer SME

Network Engineer, SME

Location:

Herndon, VA

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Level Network Engineer with a minimum of 16 years of experience and a specialized focus on Network Access Control (NAC), particularly with significant expertise in Cisco network appliances and associated management software to support a key government customer.

• Design, implementation, and management of NAC solutions utilizing Cisco network devices, including load balancers, Linux servers, and Cisco appliances.
• Perform configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of NAC policies and profiles.
• Monitor network traffic for potential security threats and proactively address vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure network security standards align with business objectives.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices in network security and NAC technologies.
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal and external teams and clients on NAC and network security related issues.
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of new NAC technologies and vendors.

• Minimum 16 years of experience in network engineering.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into enterprise network solutions.
• Proven SME level experience as a Cisco Network Engineer with a focus on network security.
• Strong proficiency with NAC platforms.
• In-depth knowledge of network protocols, TCP/IP stack, and OSI model.
• Experience with firewall management software such as Cisco FTD.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.

• Knowledge of NAC management software such as Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE).
• Industry certifications such as CCNA Security, CCNP Security, REDHAT Certified Architect (RHCA), or similar.
• Demonstrated experience with Network Access Controls (NAC) and Cisco profiling ISE.
• Experience with Linux operating systems and Python scripting.
• Experience with a wide variety of network technologies and solutions architectures.
• Broad understanding of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the networking field.
• Knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art systems engineering principles and network design concepts.
• Cloud service provider and hybrid cloud experience (extending on‑premise networks to AWS, Azure, Oracle, and Google).
• Strong proficiency with NAC platforms is a plus.