Networking Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Description: In person interview needed. Onsite from day 1. Only local candidates Location: Richmond, VA Duration: 12+ months The client seeks a Network Engineer to support and maintain a secure, stable, and high-performing enterprise network environment. This role is responsible for administering and troubleshooting core networking infrastructure across multiple office locations, data centers, and remote access environments. The Network Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for routing, switching, firewalls, VPN connectivity, wireless infrastructure, and network resiliency. The position works under the direction of the Director of Infrastructure & Operations and collaborates with Infrastructure, Information Security, End User Services, Application/Data Services, vendors, and service providers. This role emphasizes operational discipline, secure network design, structured change management, and reliable service delivery within a government environment. Responsibilities Network Infrastructure Administration Administer enterprise routing and switching infrastructure Configure and maintain LAN, WAN, wireless, and remote access environments Support hybrid MPLS and SD-WAN connectivity across multiple locations Maintain network availability, resiliency, and performance Firewall & Secure Connectivity Management Administer firewalls, VPN solutions, and secure remote connectivity Implement and maintain network segmentation and access controls Support secure connectivity for cloud and hybrid environments Coordinate firewall rule changes and network security updates Monitoring & Troubleshooting Monitor network health, utilization, and performance Respond to outages, connectivity issues, and infrastructure incidents Perform network troubleshooting across routing, switching, wireless, and VPN environments Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions Security & Compliance Support Support implementation of network security controls and standards Collaborate with the Information Security Office on vulnerability remediation and risk reduction Assist with logging, monitoring, and audit activities Support secure configuration and hardening practices Change Management & Operations Execute network changes through defined change management processes Validate planned changes and maintain rollback procedures Participate in maintenance windows and operational planning Maintain network documentation and diagrams Vendor & Carrier Coordination Coordinate with telecommunications providers and vendors Support circuit provisioning, troubleshooting, and escalations Assist with hardware lifecycle and support renewals Cross-Team Collaboration Partner with Systems Administration on infrastructure dependencies Coordinate with End User Services regarding user-impacting network issues Support Application/Data teams with connectivity and performance needs Communicate operational risks and system impacts to leadership Required Qualifications Experience administering enterprise network environments Strong knowledge of routing and switching concepts Experience with firewalls, VPNs, and secure remote access Experience troubleshooting network connectivity and performance issues Familiarity with wireless networking technologies Understanding of structured operational and change management processes Experience with Cisco networking technologies Experience with SD-WAN and hybrid network environments Experience in government or regulated environments Familiarity with network monitoring and logging tools Knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST Relevant certifications such as CCNA or CCNP Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills Ability to manage multiple operational priorities Effective written and verbal communication skills Ability to work collaboratively across technical teams Focus on reliability, security, and operational consistency Additional Information This position supports the agency’s core network infrastructure and plays a critical role in ensuring secure and reliable connectivity for agency operations. The Network Engineer operates within established governance and operational processes to support stability, resiliency, and risk reduction across the enterprise environment. Skills Needed Routing and switching Required 5 Years TCP/IP networking Required 5 Years VLAN configuration Required 3 Years VPN administration Required 3 Years Firewall administration Required 4 Years Wireless networking administration Required 3 Years Network troubleshooting Required 5 Years LAN/WAN support Required 4 Years SD-WAN support Required 2 Years Network monitoring tools Required 3 Years DNS fundamentals Required 3 Years Network performance analysis Required 3 Years Cisco networking technologies Required 4 Years Remote access technologies Required 3 Years Circuit troubleshooting Required 3 Years Carrier/vendor coordination Required 2 Years Network resiliency concepts Required 2 Years High availability concepts Required 2 Years Network documentation/diagramming Required 2 Years Network segmentation Required 2 Years Firewall rule management Required 3 Years Secure remote connectivity Required 3 Years Access control concepts Required 2 Years Vulnerability remediation support Required 2 Years Security incident support Required 1 Years Change management execution Required 2 Years Maintenance window coordination Required 2 Years Incident response participation Required 2 Years Root cause analysis Required 2 Years Structured troubleshooting methodology Required 4 Years Communication and collaboration Required 3 Years Operational discipline Required 3 Years Independent work capability Required 3 Years Prioritization under pressure Required 3 Years BGP Desired 2 Years Dynamic routing protocols Desired 3 Years Advanced firewall administration Desired 3 Years Cisco ASA or NGFW experience Desired 2 Years SD-WAN design/optimization Desired 2 Years QoS configuration Desired 2 Years Azure networking Desired 1 Years Hybrid cloud networking Desired 1 Years Zero Trust networking concepts Desired 1 Years SIEM/network logging integration Desired 1 Years IDS/IPS familiarity Desired 1 Years Government IT experience Desired 2 Years Multi-site enterprise experience Desired 3 Years