Associate Infrastructure Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Description: On-site 5 days/week in Washington, DC Our client is seeking a senior Cloud & Network Infrastructure Engineer responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud and on-premises infrastructure and networking solutions. This role combines deep cloud expertise with strong hands-on networking and systems experience to ensure high performance, scalability, security, and reliable connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments. This is a fully onsite role requiring regular physical interaction with infrastructure and equipment. Due to federal security clearance requirements, applicant must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident. Due to federal security clearance requirements, applicant must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident with an active Public Trust clearance. This is a contract to hire opportunity. Applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis and convert to FTE following contract duration. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance. Rate: $75.00 to $80.00/hr. w2 Responsibilities: * Design, deploy, and maintain cloud-based network solutions integrated with on-premises infrastructure. * Support hybrid cloud architectures and optimize networking performance and scalability. * Design, implement, and maintain on-prem network solutions. * Perform network and low-voltage cabling repair, troubleshooting, and remediation. * Support POS, video surveillance, physical access control, VoIP, LAN/WAN, hypervisors, and servers. * Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot cloud and on-prem network systems. * Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance across environments. * Implement automation and orchestration to streamline network operations. * Optimize resource utilization using scripting and infrastructure-as-code. * Implement and enforce network security controls including firewalls, VPNs, and encryption. * Ensure compliance with security policies and standards across environments. * Partner with cloud architects, security teams, and stakeholders. * Use monitoring tools to track network performance and infrastructure health. * Provide reporting to management and technical teams. * Deliver ongoing support and rapid troubleshooting to minimize downtime. Experience Requirements: * US Citizenship required. * Minimum 7 years in network engineering, cloud infrastructure, or related roles. * Experience designing and managing cloud-based and hybrid networking solutions. * Hands-on experience with AWS and Microsoft Azure. * Strong understanding of cloud and network security practices. * Experience with TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls, and VPNs. * Experience with network monitoring tools. * Familiarity with automation and scripting such as Python, Ansible, or Terraform. * Experience with cloud networking services including VPC, Direct Connect, Cloud VPN, and Load Balancers. * Familiarity with Windows Server environments. * Experience with GitHub, Zscaler, CrowdStrike, and SIEM platforms such as Splunk. * Practical experience with Cisco UCS-C servers, Microsoft Hyper-V, RedHat Linux, and UPS systems. * Knowledge of environmental monitors, access control, video surveillance, intercoms, and portable network kits. * Experience supporting VoIP systems, printers, scanners, kiosks, and POS systems. * Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment. * Ability to perform physical tasks including climbing ladders, lifting equipment, racking hardware, and working under desks. Education Requirements: * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience. * Preferred certifications: AWS Certified (Foundational, Associate, or Specialty), Microsoft Azure Certified (Associate or Expert), or CompTIA (Network+, Security+, Server+, or Cloud+).