Network Controller Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Description

Leidos is seeking a Senior Wireless Engineer (SME) to support enterprise WLAN services within a large-scale DoD network environment. This role operates within an SRE framework and is responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of Aruba-based wireless infrastructure across geographically distributed locations.

The selected candidate will serve as the technical authority for wireless networking, providing Tier III escalation support, leading complex troubleshooting efforts, and contributing to wireless design, optimization, and continuous service improvement. This position requires a balance of hands-on engineering, operational support, and technical leadership in a mission-critical environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as Tier III escalation support for complex wireless incidents, including client connectivity, roaming, authentication, and performance issues

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) efforts and drive long-term remediation for recurring problems

• Design, configure, and optimize Aruba wireless infrastructure, including:

  • Mobility Conductors / Mobility Masters

  • Controllers (AOS) and Central-managed environments

  • Campus and remote access points

• Provide advanced wireless troubleshooting using:

  • Packet captures and client session analysis

  • RF spectrum analysis and performance metrics

  • Controller and AirWave/Central data

• Lead and validate RF design and optimization, including:

  • Channel and power planning

  • Interference mitigation

  • High-density environment tuning

• Implement and maintain secure wireless solutions using:

  • 802.1X authentication (EAP-TLS), WPA3

  • Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager for network access control

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate wireless with:

  • Wired network infrastructure (VLANs, routing, firewalls)

  • Identity and authentication systems

• Support and enhance monitoring and observability using Aruba AirWave, Central, and related tools

• Contribute to SRE practices, including:

  • Continuous service improvement

  • Runbook development and operational standardization

  • Participation in Agile/SAFe processes (JIRA, DSUs, retrospectives)

• Review and support management activities, including deployments, upgrades, and maintenance

• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and provide technical guidance across teams

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8–12 years of relevant experience (or equivalent experience in lieu of degree)

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with enterprise wireless networks, including Aruba or similar platforms

• Strong expertise with:

  • Aruba WLAN solutions (Controllers, Mobility Conductors, AirWave/Central)

  • Wireless troubleshooting and client connectivity analysis

• Advanced knowledge of:

  • 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax)

  • RF fundamentals (channel planning, interference, signal propagation)

• Experience with wireless security, including:

  • 802.1X authentication, WPA2/WPA3

  • RADIUS-based authentication systems

• Proven ability to troubleshoot:

  • Complex wireless performance and roaming issues

  • Authentication and access control problems

• Experience working in large, multi-site enterprise environments

• Familiarity with Agile tools and workflows (e.g., JIRA, SAFe)

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret

• DoD 8570 IAT Level III certification (e.g., CISSP, CASP, CCNP Security)

Preferred Qualifications

• Aruba certifications such as:

  • ACMP, ACDP, ACMX, or ACCP

• Experience with:

  • Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager in enterprise environments

  • Aruba AirWave, Central, and advanced monitoring platforms

• Prior experience supporting:

  • DoD networks (NMCI, NGEN, or similar large-scale environments)

• Experience with:

  • Wireless site surveys (Ekahau, AirMagnet)

  • High-density wireless deployments

• Familiarity with:

  • Network automation (Python, Ansible, API integrations)

  • Multi-vendor wireless environments (Cisco, Juniper Mist, Ruckus)

• Knowledge of:

  • DoD security requirements, STIGs, and defense-in-depth principles

SMIT-NMCI

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.

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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.