Freelance Wireless Network Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Job Title: Senior Network Engineer (CCIE) – Wireless SME Location: Bolling AFB, Washington, DC Type: Direct Hire Contractor Work Model: Onsite Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI or Top Secret required

This role supports a high-visibility, mission-critical government environment. Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI or Top Secret clearance, a current CCIE, and meet DoD 8570 requirements through Security+ or an equivalent certification. A bachelor’s degree in a technical field is preferred. Candidates should have 10+ years of network engineering experience, including deep hands-on expertise with enterprise wireless infrastructure.

Role Summary

The Senior Network Engineer, Wireless SME provides expert-level engineering, architecture, and operational support across enterprise and tactical networks, with specialized responsibility for secure, enterprise-grade wireless infrastructure. This individual will design, deploy, secure, troubleshoot, and optimize complex Wi-Fi environments while also supporting broader network modernization efforts for mission-critical government operations.

Key Responsibilities

Wireless Engineering & RF Expertise

Serve as the subject matter expert for enterprise wireless networking, ensuring secure, reliable, and high-performance Wi-Fi across mission-critical environments.

Conduct predictive and physical RF site surveys to validate coverage, capacity, and performance requirements.

Design and deploy complex wireless solutions, including access point placement, channel and power planning, roaming optimization, and integration with wired network infrastructure.

Troubleshoot RF interference, spectrum anomalies, and wireless performance issues using advanced diagnostic and spectrum analysis tools.

Manage and optimize wireless LAN controllers and large access point deployments across multiple facilities.

Develop wireless standards, configuration baselines, and technical documentation for enterprise environments.

Enterprise & Tactical Network Engineering

Translate stakeholder and government requirements into secure, scalable network solutions, including reconfiguration, hardware and software acquisition, installation, and testing.

Provide Tier 3 and Tier 4 engineering support across enterprise and tactical networks, including architecture, design, configuration, and process improvement.

Support the design and development of voice, video, RF, and data communications networks.

Conduct expert-level analysis of network systems, including planning, evaluating, selecting, and upgrading operating systems and protocol suites.

Configure and support communication media using concentrators, bridges, switches, routers, wireless controllers, and other network devices.

Architecture, Modernization & Technology Assessment

Work directly with government stakeholders to explore, assess, and implement emerging technologies that modernize and enhance existing network solutions.

Analyze network topologies, traffic flows, wireless coverage, capacity requirements, and resiliency needs to ensure optimal network performance.

Support acquisition of hardware, software, and subcontractor services as needed.

Maintain current knowledge of relevant networking, wireless, and security technologies and apply innovative approaches to complex engineering challenges.

Leadership & Stakeholder Support

Provide senior-level technical support for the design, deployment, and optimal operation of business-critical enterprise environments.

Serve as a technical team or task leader, providing guidance and mentorship to less-experienced network personnel.

Participate in special projects and mission-critical initiatives as assigned.

Communicate effectively with senior leadership and stakeholders, translating complex technical issues into clear, actionable information.

Required Qualifications

Active TS/SCI or Top Secret clearance.

Current CCIE certification.

DoD 8570 compliance through Security+ or equivalent certification.

10+ years of network engineering experience.

Deep expertise with enterprise wireless networking, RF design, wireless LAN controllers, access point deployments, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.

Experience conducting predictive and physical wireless site surveys.

Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, spectrum analysis, roaming, interference mitigation, channel planning, and power optimization.

Experience supporting secure enterprise, tactical, or mission-critical network environments.

Strong background with routing, switching, network architecture, and network modernization.

Ability to provide senior-level technical leadership and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.

Experience supporting high-visibility government, defense, or mission-critical environments.

Experience with Cisco wireless infrastructure, wireless LAN controllers, Cisco ISE, NAC, secure authentication, and enterprise wireless security.

Experience supporting voice, video, RF, and data communications networks.

Experience developing network documentation, engineering standards, configuration baselines, and technical briefings.