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Specialist, Network Plan Engineer

Dahlgren, VA
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

As the premier provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission solutions for the United States Space Force, L3Harris is seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in designing, operating, troubleshooting, and securing enterprise networks, with particular expertise in Juniper, Cisco, Palo Alto, automation, and compliance.

This role requires a highly capable engineer who can serve as a technical lead for local network modernization, resolve advanced Layer 2/Layer 3 issues, support Zero Trust initiatives, maintain DISA STIG compliance, and execute changes in high-availability environments with minimal or no downtime. This position is on-site in Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, VA.

Essential Functions:

  • Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure across classified and unclassified environments.
  • Administer and optimize network deployments.
  • Support routing and switching operations, including BGP, OSPF, VLANs, STP, and enterprise segmentation.
  • Perform advanced root cause analysis and resolution of complex network incidents affecting mission-critical operations.
  • Plan and execute network upgrades, patching, and lifecycle refresh efforts with minimal operational impact.
  • Develop and maintain network diagrams, SOPs, TTPs, implementation plans, and technical documentation.
  • Automate network configuration, compliance, and deployment tasks using scripting and templating tools.
  • Implement and maintain DISA STIG-compliant network configurations across enterprise devices.
  • Support Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) initiatives through posture assessment, profiling, policy enforcement, and access control.
  • Manage enterprise-scale switch provisioning and configuration standardization efforts.
  • Monitor network health, availability, and performance using enterprise management tools.
  • Provide technical guidance and escalation support to junior engineers and technicians.
  • Coordinate with cybersecurity, systems, COMSEC, and external organizations to support network changes and vulnerability remediation.
  • Deliver technical briefings and status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
  • Support after-hours maintenance windows and on-call response for mission-critical outages, as needed.
  • Up to 10% travel may be required.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field, and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
  • Active U.S. DoW Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access within 6 months of hire.
  • 6+ years of experience supporting enterprise network infrastructure in a DoD, federal, or similarly regulated environment.
  • Strong hands-on experience configuring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting lifecycle management for Juniper and Cisco network devices.
  • Experience applying and maintaining DISA STIG compliance across network devices.
  • Experience leading technical training, mentoring junior staff, or serving as a team SME.
  • Experience with network automation using scripting, templates, or similar tools.

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Ability to troubleshoot complex network issues across multi-site or large-scale environments.
  • Experience producing technical documentation, including diagrams, SOPs, and engineering procedures.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in operationally sensitive, mission-critical environments.
  • Experience with multi-vendor network fabric management using Apstra Data Center Director for provisioning, visibility, automation, and lifecycle management.
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting on-premises and off-premises fiber optic infrastructure, including fiber patching, light-level verification, and circuit handoff coordination with DISA and/or other government and commercial entities.
  • Experience implementing Zero Trust Architecture using Cisco ISE or similar technologies.
  • Experience configuring Arista and Dell network devices.
  • Experience supporting large-scale enterprise environments with thousands of endpoints and hundreds of network devices.
  • Experience performing zero-downtime upgrades in high-availability environments.
  • Experience with enterprise monitoring and management platforms such as SolarWinds
  • Experience supporting classified network environments.
  • Hands-on experience installing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting ViaSat and GDMS Type 1 encryptors, including COMSEC/keying coordination.
  • Experience coordinating with multiple internal and external organizations before, during, and after planned network changes, emergency remediation, and mission-critical maintenance windows.
  • Experience submitting vendor support cases for immediate resolution.
  • Experience with network audits, IP space analysis, and address management.
  • Familiarity with PL1 or similarly controlled facilities.
  • Active Security+ CE Certification.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $88,500 - $164,500. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, and Vermont is $76,500 - $142,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

About L3 Harris

L3 Harris

L3 Harris is one of the largest defense and aerospace companies in the United States, delivering advanced technologies that support missions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops communications systems, space payloads, intelligence platforms, electronic warfare capabilities, missile defense technologies, and mission-critical sensors used by the U.S. military, intelligence community, and allied nations around the world.

For job seekers, L3Harris offers opportunities across engineering, software development, cybersecurity, space systems, manufacturing, intelligence, program management, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on advanced technologies that directly support national security. With programs spanning tactical communications, ISR platforms, satellite systems, and defense electronics, employees have the opportunity to contribute to some of the military’s most important capabilities.

Unlike companies focused on a single mission area, L3Harris operates across a diverse portfolio of defense technologies, providing employees exposure to a broad range of programs and technical disciplines. Teams work on everything from secure communications and autonomous systems to space-based sensors and electronic warfare platforms, creating opportunities for both specialization and long-term career growth within the organization.

As governments continue investing in modernization, space capabilities, resilient communications, and advanced sensing technologies, L3Harris remains one of the most important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking a mission-driven career with strong growth opportunities, technical challenges, and direct impact on global security, L3Harris continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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