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Contract Network Engineer Government Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Network Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$75 - $100.97/hr

Job Title Network Engineer Overview EverWatch is a government solutions company providing advanced ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Network Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$69.72 - $100.96/hr

Job Title Network Engineer Overview EverWatch is a government solutions company providing advanced ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

... infrastructures for the government. This role supports the engineering, integration, and ... This position is pending contract award Must be a U.S. Citizen Must have an active Secret Clearance ...

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Contract Network Engineer Government information

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$31K

$109K

$158K

How much do contract network engineer government jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract network engineer government in the United States is $109,040.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,000.00 and $133,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Network Engineer Government vs Contract Network Engineer Private Sector?

AspectContract Network Engineer GovernmentContract Network Engineer Private Sector
CredentialsTypically requires security clearances, Cisco/CompTIA certificationsCertifications like Cisco, CompTIA, but security clearances usually not required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, federal facilities, secure environmentsCorporate offices, tech companies, private firms
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment contracts, federal agenciesPrivate companies, commercial clients
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on government projects, security requirementsFocus on commercial networking needs

The main difference between a Contract Network Engineer in the government and private sector lies in security clearances, work environment, and employer type. Government roles often require security clearances and work within secure facilities, while private sector roles are more commercially focused without security clearance requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Network Engineer in government settings, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Network Engineer in a government setting, you need a solid background in network architecture, troubleshooting, and security, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and industry certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Security+. Familiarity with network monitoring tools, firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems, and government-specific compliance frameworks like FISMA or NIST is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders are vital soft skills. These competencies are crucial for maintaining secure, reliable government networks that comply with regulatory standards and support mission-critical operations.

What are Contract Network Engineers in the government sector?

Contract Network Engineers in the government sector are IT professionals who are hired on a temporary or project basis to design, implement, manage, and troubleshoot computer networks for government agencies. They ensure the security, reliability, and efficiency of network infrastructure, often working with sensitive or classified information. These engineers may be responsible for tasks such as network configuration, monitoring, upgrades, and compliance with government regulations. Their contracts can vary in length and scope, depending on the needs of the agency. Government contract roles often require security clearances and adherence to strict protocols.

What are the typical challenges faced by contract network engineers working in government environments?

Contract network engineers in government settings often encounter challenges such as navigating complex security protocols, adhering to strict compliance and documentation requirements, and integrating legacy systems with new technologies. Additionally, working within government agencies may require adjusting to more formal communication structures and collaborating with multiple departments to ensure network reliability and security. Flexibility and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as contract engineers must quickly acclimate to new teams and adapt to shifting project priorities.
What cities are hiring for Contract Network Engineer Government jobs? Cities with the most Contract Network Engineer Government job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Network Engineer Government jobs? The most popular types of Network Engineer Government jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Network Engineer Government jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Network Engineer Government jobs include:
Network Engineer II (NE2) (Government)

Network Engineer II (NE2) (Government)

AT and T

Columbia, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 hours ago


AT&T rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 703 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 79 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

AT&T Global Public Sector is a trusted provider of secure, IP enabled, cloud-based, network solutions and professional services to the Federal Government. We are dedicated to recruiting, developing and empowering a diverse, high-performing workforce that is passionate about what they do, committed to our shared values and dedicated to our customers' mission.
The scope of this Contract requires specialized expertise in areas such as high-performance computing (HPC), automated processing systems, distributed software design, and secure hosting and networking solutions. The IT infrastructure consists primarily of Linux. The environment includes a variety of network devices, server interconnections, mass storage solutions, and essential supporting infrastructure services. The services provided under this Contract support areas including HPC, infrastructure maintenance for HPC systems, networking, office automation, and the development of specialized software.
AT&T has an opening for a Network Engineer: to support HPC, infrastructure maintenance for HPC systems, networking, office automation, and the development of specialized software.
Description of Job Duties/Responsibilities: This position requires office presence a minimum of 5 days per week and is only located in the location(s) posted. No relocation is offered. Work to be performed at government customer site.
The Level 2 Network Engineer provides enterprise network engineering support across data center and campus environments, including system-level design considerations, security boundaries, virtualization platforms, and storage networking. The role is responsible for installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and operational support of routing, switching, load balancing, firewalling, and VPN capabilities. Work is performed within a structured ticketing and change environment and may include hands-on activities in data center or network closet locations, live operational support, and participation in an on-call rotation.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Install, configure, and troubleshoot network routers, switches, load balancers, and security devices in production environments.
  • Support enterprise security boundaries and access controls, including stateful firewalls and Layer 3/Layer 4 access control policies.
  • Provide operational support for LAN/CAN/MAN infrastructure, routing/switching services, and VPN technologies (IPsec).
  • Analyze network performance and reliability using packet capture and benchmarking tools; support incident response and root-cause analysis.
  • Work in a live call and ticketed environment; document work and track tasking in Remedy or similar systems.
  • Participate in on-call rotation and support after-hours operational requirements as needed.

Required Qualifications:
  • Strong knowledge of the TCP/IP protocol stack and common routing and switching protocols.
  • Strong working knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols and associated troubleshooting practices.
  • Experience administering and troubleshooting stateful firewalls and Layer 3 access controls.
  • Hands-on experience with Cisco routing/switching platforms and network operating systems (IOS/NX-OS; CatOS a plus).
  • Ability to work effectively in operational environments requiring live support, documentation, and disciplined change practices.
  • Ability and willingness to support on-call requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware and Solaris Containers.
  • Familiarity with network access control and AAA solutions (e.g., TACACS+).
  • Experience with firewall and security platforms such as Cisco ASA and FWSM.
  • Experience with monitoring/management tooling (e.g., CiscoWorks, HP OpenView) and ITSM workflows.
  • Experience with load balancing technologies (e.g., F5 and Cisco load balancers).
  • Familiarity with Juniper networking platforms; Arista exposure is a plus.
  • Knowledge of storage networking/fabrics, including Fibre Channel (FC) SAN and high-performance interconnects (e.g., InfiniBand).
  • Experience configuring and administering Lustre file systems; exposure to DDN Exascaler appliances is a plus.
  • Experience with benchmarking and diagnostic tools (e.g., IOR, iperf, FIO, lnet_selftest).
  • Working knowledge of Atlassian tool suites (e.g., Jira/Confluence) is a plus.
  • Demonstrated curiosity and continuous learning mindset; familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., E1000s, ESNs, DAOS, Weka) is a plus.

Required Clearance: TS/SCI with polygraph. (#ts/sci) (#polygraph)
Required Qualifications:
Five years demonstrable experience (with degree, or 7 without) in network engineering (LAN), architecture, monitoring, security, and protection.
  • Must have datacenter network design and architecture experience to include installation and configuration of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and IPSEC virtual private networks.
  • IAT level II Required (SEC+; CCNA; GICSP; GSEC; SSCP)

Ready to join our team? Apply today!
Our Network Engineer II (NE2) (Government) earns between $98,100 - $177,755 yearly. Not to mention all the other amazing rewards that working at AT&T offers. Individual starting salary within this range may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education/training.
Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:
  • Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
  • 401(k) plan
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays) *Pro-rated when working less than 40 hrs/wk.
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Caregiver Leave
  • Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected • Adoption Reimbursement
  • Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
  • Life and Accidental Death Insurance
  • Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Extensive employee wellness programs
  • Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone

Weekly Hours:
40
Time Type:
Regular
Location:
Columbia, Maryland
It is the policy of AT&T to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made.

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