Freelance Packet Core Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Recro, a Certified Small Business, helps federal agencies achieve their goals through IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, DevOps, cloud services, and digital transformation. We prioritize innovation, employee growth, and a collaborative work environment, guided by our core value - to make a difference. Currently, Recro is seeking a motivated, career and customer oriented Endace Platform Engineer (Cyber Engineer), to join our team in McLean, VA, JB Andrews, MD, Norfolk, VA, Tampa, FL, Colorado Springs, CO, Reston, VA, College Park, MD Clearance • TS/SCI CI Poly Responsibilities: * We are seeking a seasoned Endace Implementation & Sustainment Engineer to architect, deploy, integrate, and operate Endace packet capture, monitoring, and network recording platforms across a large, distributed enterprise. * The ideal candidate has deep experience in network forensics, packet analytics, and telemetry architecture, combined with hands- on familiarity supporting Zero Trust visibility and segmentation strategies. * This role owns the end-to-end lifecycle for Endace systems-including design, installation, configuration, maintenance, and long-term optimization-while integrating the platform with SIEM/SOAR, detection engineering, analytics tooling, and broader Zero Trust security controls. * Responsibilities include leading the design, deployment, and configuration of Endace appliances for enterprise-scale packet capture. Developing packet capture strategies aligned to network architecture, mission requirements, and Zero * Trust visibility controls. Building high-availability, scalable, and resilient Endace clusters across data centers and cloud- connected environments. Integrating Endace with analytics ecosystems (SIEM, SOAR, NDR, EDR, threat intel, investigation platforms). * Maintaining and tuning Endace hardware and software for optimal performance, including upgrades, patching, sensor tuning, and storage lifecycle. Troubleshooting packet loss, timing drift, flow indexing issues, clock synchronization, and performance bottlenecks. * Monitoring device health, capacity, and telemetry fidelity to ensure consistent, forensically-sound data capture. Managing PCAP retention strategies, indexing policies, and storage allocation across distributed deployments. * Aligning Endace visibility architecture with Zero Trust telemetry requirements and continuous verification workflows; Ensuring packet capture and telemetry support identity-aware network segmentation and policy enforcement. * Supporting development of traffic baselines, segmentation decisions, and enforcement models using Endace data. * Automating deployment, configuration, and sustainment workflows using Ansible, Terraform, or scripting. Building dashboards, runbooks, playbooks, and investigation workflows for SOC, threat hunters, and IR teams. * Partnering with network engineering, cloud teams, and security operations to ensure full-spectrum telemetry coverage. * Delivering training and guidance to operational teams on Endace platform usage and best practices. Required Qualifications: * 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, network security, or SOC tooling. * Strong understanding of packet analysis, network forensics, deep packet inspection, and PCAP workflows. * Proficiency in Linux administration and scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell). * Experience supporting regulated or high-security environments (DoD, IC, FedRAMP, PCI, HIPAA). * Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture, segmentation principles, and identity-centric policy models. * Demonstrated experience integrating Endace with SIEMs, SOAR tools, and investigation platforms. * Solid understanding of core network protocols (TCP/IP, TLS, DNS, HTTP/S, NetFlow/IPFIX, etc.) * Active TS/SCI clearance; willingness to take a polygraph exam * Associate's degree and 5+ years of experience supporting IT projects and activities, Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience supporting IT projects and activities, or Master's degree and 1+ year of experience supporting IT projects and activities. Years of experience may be accepted in lieu of degree. * DoD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Technician (IAT) Level II Certification, including Security+ CE, CCNA- Security, GSEC, SSCP, CySA+, GICSP, or CND Certification * Ability to obtain a DoD 8570.01-M Cybersecurity Service Provider - Infrastructure Support Certification, including CEH, CHFI, CFR, Cloud+, or CND certification within 30 days of start date Preferred Qualifications: * Proven hands-on experience deploying, configuring, and managing Endace DAG/EndaceProbe solutions in production. * Familiarity with complementary network tools (Zeek, Suricata, Arkime, NDR platforms). * Experience with cloud networking and packet capture strategies in AWS, Azure, or GCP. * Certifications such as CISSP, GCIA, GNFA, GCIH, or vendor-specific credentials. * Strong analytical and problem-solving ability. * Excellent communication and documentation skills. * Able to collaborate with cross-functional technical and non-technical stakeholders. * Comfortable leading architecture conversations and driving platform strategy. Benefits at Recro * 100% paid medical, dental, and vision * 401k - 6% matching and 401k profit sharing * PTO - 120 Hours * Federal Holidays * Education and Tuition Reimbursements * Wellness Benefits * A lot of cool gear! Working at Recro * A Great Culture - We are building a culture at Recro where amazing people (like you) can do their best work. If you are ready to grow your career and recro (re-invent) the way our clients operate, you have come to the right place. * A Great Place to Work - Employees are treated like people, not line items. We work smart when we can and hard when we must but we always do it together, as a team. We are a team with tons of passion and enthusiasm to blaze new trails and improve the state of our clients, the broader community, and even the world. * A Great Place to Contribute - We believe diverse perspectives improve each challenge that we face. We trust and enable our amazing people to accomplish amazing feats. At Recro, you will be empowered to deliver your best work. * A Great Place to Grow - We believe in our people and maximizing your potential. At Recro, we continue to look into the future and invest in each other through teamwork, collaboration, and training.