Independent Contractor Network Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Are you interested in using your skills to help shape the Cyber, Security, & Intel space? If so, look no further. Amentum is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to join our team of passionate individuals in Ft. Meade, MD. In this role you will support challenging, mission-critical projects that make a direct impact on the Nation’s security and intelligence mission.

In support of DISA, the Intel and Cyber Division is expanding a proven team of highly skilled engineers and architects to support a program that provides critical IT capabilities to the Department of Defense. This team is committed to engineering, assembling, integrating, deploying, and sustaining an innovative IT enterprise solution.

Candidates interested in joining the team must be critical thinkers, have a strong work ethic, and be able to work independently or as a member of a team in a dynamic environment that supports a critical and rewarding mission. We value candidates who are detail-oriented while also being able to think and react quickly to emerging and unique problem sets. To be successful, you must be able to rapidly adapt and learn how to operate the front and back end of new products and processes.

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Network Engineer include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform as senior-level contributor, able to operate and troubleshoot autonomously and independently, whether customer facing or with other engineering team members.

• Design, build and troubleshoot network and network security architecture.

• Analyze and develop new hardware requirements and prepare specifications for hardware acquisitions.

• Provide engineering escalation support for all network and network security operations activities including: LAN/WAN operations and troubleshooting, troubleshooting network automation and tooling, and troubleshooting network security appliances.

• Coordinate with the Information Assurance Security Engineers to create and validate all current and future designs against required security controls to maintain Authority to Operate of each enclave; implement and maintain DISA STIG requirements.

• Create, review, and update technical documentation in support of integration projects.

• Provide full implementation documentation and templates for all phases of deployment and sustainment of network equipment and services.

• Identify and diagnose complex performance, security, and technical issues.

• Employee will work in a SCIF on a daily basis.

• Employee may also work in a datacenter environment for specified periods of time.

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification

• Experience designing, configuring, troubleshooting and testing:

  • IS-IS and/or OSPF networks

  • MP-BGP underlays and overlays

  • MPLS networks: RSVP-TE, LDP, and SR-MPLS

  • Complex routing policies and protocol redistribution concepts and strategies

  • DMVPN and/or SD-WAN

  • Cisco Firepower and Palo Alto firewalls to include Firepower Management Console and Panorama management software

• Experience deploying and testing:

  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

  • New circuits with ability to fault isolate issues to CE equipment, Demarc and/or carrier

  • Network security technologies including but not limited to: SSH, WAN MACsec, IPSec, RADIUS, TACACS+, firewall NAT and security policies and end-point security

• Experience with MS Office applications such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment with a focus on participation in complicated design sessions.

• Ability to travel up to 20%.

• Must have active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

• Bachelor’s Degree in an IT related field, or an additional five (5) years of Network Engineering experience

• 10 (ten) years of network engineering w/ 3 years of network design architecture and implementation

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification

• DoD 8570.01-M IAT-II baseline certification requirements

• Extensive experience designing and building network and network security architecture so different segments in underlay and overlay partitions work together holistically to balance customer experience with security policy compliance.

• Extensive experience designing, building and troubleshooting Palo Alto and/or FMC/FTD NGFWs performing DPI.

• Extensive experience designing, building and troubleshooting ISE and/or other end-point security appliances.

• Experience with network tooling such as Cisco NSO, Catalyst Center, Splunk and StealthWatch.

• Experience with automating repetitive tasks using tools and/or scripts, such as Python and TCL.

• Extensive experience with Cisco routing, switching, and the network configurations underlying IP telephony systems

• Experience with Type 1 encryption devices including, but not limited to: KG175X and KG142

• Experience developing IT checklists, SOPs, guides, etc.

• Experience deploying DISA STIGs and conducting Government network assessments.

#javelin

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, Amentum is a drug-free workplace and requires all personnel to comply with company drug and alcohol policies as a condition of employment. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the drug screening process. Please note that this may include pre-hire screening for marijuana, as well as other federally controlled substances due to Amentum’s role as a federal contractor and trusted partner to the US Government.

Safety - Amentum enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams.

Quality - Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Amentum Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Amentum Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.

Procedure Compliance - Each employee must read, understand and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to his/her job. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

$180,000 - $240,000

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

07/21/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.