Entry Level Network Engineer Government Jobs in California

More About the Role:
Leidos currently has an opening on the 'Service Management, Integration and Transport' (SMIT) Contract for a Field/Base Network Engineer position. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience helping the SMIT mission. SMIT is the largest IT services program for the Navy. Under SMIT, the Leidos team will deliver the core backbone of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), including cybersecurity services, network operations, service desk, and data transport. Ultimately, Leidos will support the Navy in unifying its shore-based networks and data management to improve capability and service while also saving significant dollars by focusing efforts under one enterprise network. This position requires someone with extensive Operations/Engineering Leadership experience, preferably someone with a previous Network/Transport technical background and working knowledge of a large DOD Enterprise Network Environment. Manage a large technical team virtually, interact directly with and manage the Customer relationship. Manage key resources supporting Incident Response, Change Management, Problem Management, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), project sustainment and other ITSM and DevSecOps initiatives.
Candidates for this position are highly motivated and have working knowledge of network operations, fault diagnosis, repair, installation, configuration, cabling, passive infrastructure, troubleshooting, project execution as well as the ability to analyze and interpret numerous policies and procedures. This includes a solid understanding of network architectures and engineering solutions. The ability to work in a dynamic, team-oriented, fast-paced and mission-focused environment is a must.
Physical Requirements:
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs for up to a 100 feet at a time; must be able to lift 25 lbs vertically using ladders.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces, such as raised floors or communications closets; must be able to work in noisy environments, such as data centers and operations centers; must be able to stand or sit for 8 hours at a time.
• Must be able to utilize basic hand tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches while rack mounting active and passive equipment using small screws and brackets.
• Must have normal color vision to identify different colors of wires and cables; must have correctable vision to 20/20 or better so you can see objects and information displayed in schematics, test equipment, and computer monitors; must have depth perception to be able to judge distance between objects to work safely on ladders and in confined spaces; must be able to use and read digital test equipment such as OTDR.
• Must be able to drive corporate vehicle to different locations to work on projects and troubleshoot; valid state license required.
What You'll Get to Do:
• Works as an Operations-focused Network Engineer on a team responsible for BAN/LAN/WAN Network Operations, troubleshooting, repair, installation, cabling, configuration, implementation, and integration of current and future NGEN-R network architectures as per approved processes and procedures.
• Provides COMSEC Local Element support to assigned locations, which includes managing COMSEC hardware/software assets and key inventories, loading keys into Encryption devices, installing, configuring, troubleshooting, upgrading, removing/replacing faulty equipment, interacting with the Government KOAMs and following prescribed procedures and processes related to COMSEC.
• Documents work activities/details per established tools and processes; maintains accurate site documentation.
• Initiates software upgrades and changes to the NGEN-R system and communications infrastructure as prescribed by Domain Architects, Design and Configuration Teams.
• Performs maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and removal/replacement of faulty hardware using SOPs, TTPs, work instructions, vendor guidance, and other documented processes and procedures.
• Interfaces with the Network Operations Center (NOC) as required in support of incident troubleshooting and restoral.
• Supports network configuration/asset management activities, manages configuration drift, and accurately creates or modifies network documentation to reflect the as-is and/or to-be environment.
• Supports Cybersecurity requirements and implementation of security controls (STIG compliance).
• Coordinates network upgrades and planned maintenance activities with NGEN-R Program and customer stakeholders.
• Performs monitoring (health and status) of network systems and proactively identifies potential issues before they impact users; recommends and/or applies corrective actions to mitigate network issues.
• Position may require local area and/or overnight travel by car or air to assigned locations to conduct operations focused activities i.e. break/fix, COMSEC support, etc...
• PLEASE NOTE: This is a floater position that will be servicing the San Diego area.
You'll Bring These Qualifications:
• BA/BS Degree and 4+ years of prior relevant experience or MS/MBA with 2+ years of prior relevant experience; additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of degree at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.
• DOD Secret Security Clearance w/ability to upgrade to and maintain a TS Security Clearance.
• Minimum of DoD 8570.01 IAT Level II Certification required prior to onboarding: CompTIA Security+ CE, CDN, ISC2 SSCP, GSEC, GICSP, or CYSA+ (See DoD 8570.01-M Appendix 3 for valid certifications).
• Must possess Network Vendor Associate Level or higher Certification (i.e. Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCNP, etc...).
• Ability to be scheduled to work, or be called in to work during off hours and weekends to meet customer mission support requirements.
• Working knowledge of defense-in-depth principles, network/HW/SW security architecture, network topology, IT device integrity, and common security elements.
• Ability to travel 25% including possible OCONUS travel.
• 5+ years' experience troubleshooting complex routing and switching issues.
• 5+ years' experience configuring switches, routers, network appliances, WAN acceleration devices.
• Ability to be scheduled to work, or be called in to work during off hours and weekends to meet customer mission support requirements.
• Customer service experience.
These Qualifications Would be Nice to Have:
• Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in IT Management, Engineering, or related field.
• MPLS experience.
• DevOps, CI/CD experience.
• Scripting experience (i.e. Python, etc...).
• Automation experience (i.e. Ansible, Puppet, Chef, etc...).
• SDN/SD WAN experience.
• Professional or Expert level vendor certifications.
• ITIL certifications.
Pay Range: $40-$48/hourly rate.
NGEN
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 13, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range -
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.