External Title Senior Network Engineer – SD-WAN Specialist

Peraton is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer specializing in Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD WAN) to support enterprise network infrastructure and modernization initiatives. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in SD WAN architecture, leading the design, deployment, migration, and optimization of network solutions across geographically distributed environments. The Senior Network Engineer will collaborate with network, security, cloud, and operations teams to improve network performance, resiliency, security, and connectivity across enterprise locations.

The ideal candidate will bring hands on experience implementing and managing enterprise SD WAN solutions, strong networking fundamentals, and expertise in routing, traffic engineering, network security integration, and hybrid WAN architectures.

This position requires full time, on site presence at one of the designated locations in Ashburn, VA;
Springfield, VA; or Orlando, FL.

Day to Day

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end SD-WAN solution design, deployment, and migration across enterprise and multi-site environments
• Architect and implement SD-WAN platforms including Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (Viptela), VMware Velo Cloud, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, or Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN
• Define and enforce SD-WAN policies
  : application-aware routing, QoS, traffic shaping, and path selection
• Integrate SD-WAN overlays with hybrid WAN transports
  : MPLS, broadband, LTE/5G, and DIA circuits
• Collaborate with security teams to implement Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) frameworks alongside SD-WAN deployments
• Design and maintain SD-WAN orchestration and management planes (vManage, Orchestrator, VCO, etc.)
• Perform root cause analysis and troubleshoot complex SD-WAN connectivity, performance, and failover issues
• Monitor WAN performance metrics - latency, jitter, packet loss - and proactively optimize circuit utilization
• Lead network infrastructure projects from planning through implementation, testing, and operational handoff
• Collaborate with cloud teams on direct cloud on-ramps
  : AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS-optimized routing
• Support network automation initiatives using scripting and infrastructure-as-code tooling
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 support for critical network infrastructure
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on SD-WAN architecture concepts and operational best practices
• Maintain accurate network topology diagrams, runbooks, and SD-WAN configuration documentation

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience, a master's degree and 6 years of experience, an associate's degree and 10 years of experience, or a high school diploma or equivalent and 12 years of experience.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain the required DHS CBP clearance.

• Minimum of 5 years of hands on network engineering experience, including at least 2 years focused on SD WAN design, deployment, or operations.

• Hands on experience implementing, configuring, and troubleshooting at least one enterprise SD WAN platform, such as Cisco Catalyst SD WAN (Viptela), VMware Velo Cloud, Fortinet Secure SD WAN, or Palo Alto Prisma SD WAN.

• Strong understanding of SD WAN architecture, underlay and overlay networking, routing protocols, and tunneling technologies, including BGP, OSPF, IPsec, and GRE.

• Experience integrating SD WAN with WAN transport technologies, including MPLS, broadband, LTE/5G, or Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), and configuring application aware routing, Quality of Service (QoS), and traffic steering.

• Working knowledge of network security integration, including next generation firewalls, SASE, and SSE architectures.

• Strong TCP/IP networking fundamentals, analytical skills, and experience troubleshooting complex network connectivity, performance, and failover issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting federal government, defense, or other regulated environments.

• Active Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification.

• Advanced networking or SD WAN certifications, including Cisco Certified Specialist in SD WAN Implementation, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, VMware VCP Network Virtualization, or relevant vendor certifications.

• Experience with cloud networking across AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform, or with SASE and Zero Trust solutions.

• Experience with network automation and infrastructure as code tools, including Python, Ansible,…