Network Engineer - Team Lead

Company Overview

At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation. www.validatek.com

Summary

ValidaTek is seeking a talented Network Senior Engineer/Team Lead to support one of our DHS programs. The ideal candidate will have experience in prioritizing network outages, projects and tasks while providing technical assistance and resolution to teams in order to maintain, troubleshoot and repair network infrastructure; ability to design and implement operational network systems and prototypes according to current and future engineering data and Government requirements; extensive knowledge of network principles, protocols and design to evaluate and provide optimal network performance; ability to collaborate with Network and System Engineers, equipment vendors, and other personnel to identify, define, and solve trending or developmental problems; ability to communicate, coordinate and resolve technical issues with DHS OneNet Engineering personnel within the entire DHS network topology including the DHS Data Centers (DC); ability to review and make technical recommendations to all Infrastructure Change Control Board (ICCB) packets prior to submittal;. and ensure recommendations are coordinated and understood by local, OneNet and Data Center personnel.

Responsibilities

Provides senior level network engineering leadership to ensure design, install, configure, backup, administer, manage, upgrade, troubleshoot, diagnose, test, and document all LAN, WAN and network hardware and software required to keep the enterprise IT network infrastructure environment operational at an optimal level and secure in accordance with DHS policies. LAN, WAN, and network security hardware includes, but is not limited to: 

• Routers 
• Core switches 
• Distribution switches 
• Access layer switches 
• Firewalls 
• Web content filtering devices 
• IDS/IPS 
• Lead and direct the Network Services team, focusing on network monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring high-quality service delivery and architecture reviews. 
• Champion the technical execution of Infrastructure Refresh Programs, including Application Modernization, SD-WAN Refresh, and Firewall Upgrades. 
• Ensure accurate documentation with our Network Service Partner, keeping network diagrams and records current. 

• Innovate by continually seeking better operational practices and embracing technological advancements to enhance stability. 
• Manage equipment lifecycle and respond proactively to patching and vulnerability alerts via adopting a vendor-agnostic stance to maintain network integrity. 
• Lead incident and problem management processes for long-term network stability. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent experience and minimum 8+ years of experience in network engineering with a strong focus on routing and switching, specifically using Cisco technologies. 
• Must possess an active CISSP certification.
• Proven expertise in network architecture, protocols, and topologies. 
• Deep understanding of network security principles, committed to staying ahead of industry trends, threats, and vulnerabilities. 
• Experience with network virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Nutanix, Hyper-V). 
• Skilled in designing and implementing complex network solutions with a focus on quality of service. 
• Knowledgeable in cloud computing platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and server operating systems (Windows Server, Linux distributions). 
• Experience in using and supporting Aruba networking solutions. 
• Professional level vendor certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CCSP, and JNCIA, AWS Certified Advanced Networking are highly preferred. 
• Experience implementing security policies, access controls, and encryption protocols to ensure data integrity and comply with regulatory standards. 
• Must be willing to work on site in customer facilities in Brunswick, GA 
• Must be willing and able to submit to and pas