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Junior Network Engineer Jobs in Foley, AL (NOW HIRING)

Work collaboratively with network, data engineering, cybersecurity, and help desk teams, and mentor junior administrators to ensure secure, stable, and compliant system operations. Qualifications:

Work collaboratively with network, data engineering, cybersecurity, and help desk teams, and mentor junior administrators to ensure secure, stable, and compliant system operations. Qualifications:

Work collaboratively with network, data engineering, cybersecurity, and help desk teams, and mentor junior administrators to ensure secure, stable, and compliant system operations. Qualifications:

Showing results 21-24

Junior Network Engineer information

See Foley, AL salary details

$28.7K

$55.7K

$79.6K

How much do junior network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior network engineer in Foley, AL is $55,744.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,100.00 and $65,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a junior network engineer may face in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

As a Junior Network Engineer, one common challenge is adapting to the fast-paced environment where quick troubleshooting and learning new technologies are essential. You may also encounter difficulties in understanding complex network architectures or managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to proactively seek mentorship from senior engineers, participate in hands-on training, and utilize documentation and online resources. Regular communication with your team and asking questions will accelerate your learning and build your confidence.

What does a junior network engineer do?

As a junior network engineer, your job is to manage connectivity and infrastructure in a company's network. This includes ensuring the company has internet access at all times, testing each new connection when you add hardware, and generally helping to maintain the network. This is a junior position, so you work under the direct supervision of a senior network engineer. Many people use this position to gain additional leadership and engineering skills, with the goal being a promotion to a senior engineering position. Despite not having leadership responsibilities, you may be asked to supervise a project from inception to completion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Network Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking fundamentals, IP addressing, and troubleshooting, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with networking hardware, Cisco or CompTIA Network+ certifications, and experience using network monitoring tools are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in this role. These competencies are critical for maintaining reliable network operations and supporting the technical needs of organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Network Engineer jobs in Foley, AL? The most popular types of Network Engineer jobs in Foley, AL are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Network Engineer jobs in Foley, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Network Engineer jobs in Foley, AL are:
What cities near Foley, AL are hiring for Junior Network Engineer jobs? Cities near Foley, AL with the most Junior Network Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Network Engineer job openings in Foley, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,744 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

$75K - $140K/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 hours ago


Job description

Company Overview:
At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation. www.validatek.com
Summary:

ValidaTek is seeking a reliable and highly skilled Linux Administrator to support the Cybersecurity Systems Support (CSS) contract with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This position is responsible for the architecture, day-to-day operations, maintenance, and security of enterprise Linux systems, particularly Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), in a high-security DoD environment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical foundation in open-source and Linux environments, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to lead the support of a secure and stable IT infrastructure. This is a 100% on-site role located in Pensacola, FL.

Responsibilities:

  • Administer, maintain, and provide advanced troubleshooting for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) servers, ensuring optimal system performance, security, and availability.
  • Manage, optimize, and support Linux-centric enterprise services (e.g., DNS, DHCP, NFS, Identity Management/FreeIPA).
  • Lead OS patching, updates, and antivirus definition deployments using Red Hat Satellite in strict compliance with DoD STIGs and IAVM directives.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute Ansible playbooks to automate system configurations, security remediation, and routine administrative tasks.
  • Participate in and lead the implementation, automation, and enforcement of security controls as part of the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
  • Contribute to eMASS documentation and ATO/IATT sustainment efforts.
  • Perform system monitoring, log analysis, and advanced troubleshooting for complex hardware, OS, and network issues, serving as an escalation point.
  • Create and maintain highly accurate documentation of system configurations, infrastructure changes, and standard operating procedures.
  • Oversee backup and recovery operations, ensuring data protection and mission continuity.
  • Provide operational support and maintenance for hosted data brokering and event streaming applications (such as Apache NiFi and Kafka) as part of the broader Linux infrastructure.
  • Work collaboratively with network, data engineering, cybersecurity, and help desk teams, and mentor junior administrators to ensure secure, stable, and compliant system operations.
Qualifications:
  • Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field OR equivalent hands-on experience.
  • DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE) – required.
  • 2 - 10+ years of experience in systems administration in a DoD or large enterprise environment.
  • Extensive experience with Linux systems administration, with a heavy focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
  • Strong, hands-on experience with Ansible for configuration management, automation, and orchestration.
  • Demonstrated experience managing Red Hat Satellite for system provisioning, patch management, and subscription management.
  • Familiarity with virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere, KVM).
  • Working knowledge of STIG compliance, RMF, and security best practices specifically for Linux environments.
  • Proficiency in Linux scripting (e.g., Bash, Python).
  • Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work independently or lead technical initiatives in a secure, structured environment.
  • Excellent communication and technical documentation abilities.

 Preferred Qualifications:

  • Hands-on experience or familiarity with data brokering and message brokering platforms, specifically Apache NiFi and Apache Kafka.
  • Linux vendor certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), or VMware Certified Professional (VCP).
  • Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Podman, Docker, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
  • Familiarity with eMASS, HBSS, ACAS, or Splunk.
  • Understanding of ITIL practices, including change and configuration management.
  • Experience supporting DoD or classified information systems.
 
Salary Disclosure:
Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications.
The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.
EEO Statement:
ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States.
Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.