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Noc Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior NOC Network Engineer (Tier 3) Supervisor to join our Partner's team in Lorton, VA. This role is perfect for individuals with advanced network ...

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior NOC Network Engineer (Tier 3) Supervisor to join our Partner's team in Lorton, VA. This role is perfect for individuals with advanced network ...

Network Operations Manager

Waynesboro, VA

$81K - $109K/yr

Manage NOC Analysts I, II, II and NOC Engineer - I, II in technical network support and outage/incident restoration. Provide point of Escalation for Customer and employees. Maintain Command and ...

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Noc Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$14

$39

$64

How much do noc engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for noc engineer in Virginia is $39.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.61 and $49.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a NOC Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a NOC Engineer, you need a solid understanding of network protocols, troubleshooting, and systems administration, often supported by a degree in IT or a related field. Familiarity with network monitoring tools (like SolarWinds or Nagios), ticketing systems, and certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help NOC Engineers excel in diagnosing and resolving network issues. These skills are crucial for maintaining network uptime, ensuring rapid incident response, and supporting critical IT infrastructure.

What are NOC Engineers?

NOC Engineers, or Network Operations Center Engineers, are professionals responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting an organization's network systems and infrastructure. They work in a centralized location known as a Network Operations Center (NOC) where they oversee network performance, detect issues, and respond to incidents to ensure minimal downtime and optimal connectivity. Their duties may include system administration, network security management, and collaborating with other IT teams to resolve complex technical problems.

What are some common challenges faced by NOC Engineers, and how can they prepare to address them?

NOC Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing high-pressure incidents, quickly identifying and resolving network issues, and effectively communicating with cross-functional teams during outages. Maintaining composure and applying strong troubleshooting skills are essential, especially when addressing critical network disruptions. It's helpful for candidates to familiarize themselves with monitoring tools, escalation procedures, and to develop clear communication habits, as collaboration with engineers, IT support, and management is frequent. Continuous learning and staying updated on network technologies will also help in proactively addressing potential issues.

What is the difference between Noc Engineer vs Network Technician?

AspectNoc EngineerNetwork Technician
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentNetwork operations centers, monitoring networksField sites, client locations, or data centers
ResponsibilitiesMonitoring, troubleshooting, maintaining network systemsInstalling, configuring, repairing network hardware
Industry UsageTelecom, ISPs, large enterprisesIT service providers, corporate networks

Both roles require similar certifications and work in network environments, but Noc Engineers focus more on monitoring and managing networks in a centralized setting, while Network Technicians handle hands-on hardware installation and repairs. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What Does a NOC Engineer Do?

A NOC engineer, or network operations center engineer, is responsible for resolving issues with servers and networks through constant troubleshooting and support of those networks. As a NOC engineer, you ensure that connectivity remains constant for clients by working in the network management center, resolving any issue that may arise quickly and efficiently. You monitor and control any problems that arise and keep a database of past issues to help with quicker resolutions and software development over time. You solve problems for customers and your company servers using your in-depth knowledge of information technology, including an understanding of malware and security issues.

What are the most commonly searched types of Noc Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Noc Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Noc Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Noc Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Noc Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $81,358 per year, or $39.1 per hour.
NOC Engineer - Herndon, VA

NOC Engineer - Herndon, VA

Cogent Communications

Herndon, VA • On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Cogent Communications rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 82 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

Company:
Cogent Communications is a global, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP, consistently ranked as one of the top five networks in the world and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol CCOI. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access and Ethernet transport services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides IP services globally. Since its inception, Cogent has unleashed the benefits of IP technology, building one of the largest and highest capacity IP networks in the world. This network enables Cogent to offer large bandwidth connections at highly competitive prices. Cogent also offers superior customer support by virtue of its end-to-end control of service delivery and network monitoring. A competitive base salary and a full benefits package including; Health, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off (PTO), Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Holidays, Parental Leave, 401(k) plan with employer match, stock options, and an Employee Assistance Program. Most benefits take effect within 30 days of employment, and some require a waiting period.
Compensation:
[Starting / Initial] Base Salary Pay Range: $70,000-$85,000/yr.
Specific offers within the listed pay ranges are determined by a variety of factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and business needs.
Responsibilities:
  • Monitor network health, alarms, and performance across optical (DWDM) and IP platforms using vendor and in-house tools
  • Perform initial triage, fault isolation, and root-cause analysis for hardware, optical, and transport-layer issues
  • Execute break/fix activities including card replacements, optical power troubleshooting, and circuit restoration
  • Open, update, and resolve incident tickets in accordance with SLAs and internal processes
  • Dispatch and coordinate with field engineers, smart-hands, and third-party vendors
  • Maintain accurate documentation of events, configurations, and procedures
  • Escalate complex issues to appropriate engineering teams with well-documented findings

Qualifications:
Required Technical Skills:
  • Experience supporting optical transport and IP networks in a NOC, operations, or break/fix environment
  • Working knowledge of DWDM concepts, including wavelengths, amplification, ROADMs, and OTN framing
  • Troubleshooting-level understanding of IP routing and transport fundamentals, including TCP/IP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP
  • Experience with one or more of the following platforms:
    • Cisco ASR series
    • Cisco NCS/MSTP platforms including NCS 2000, NCS 1001, 1004, 1010, and 1014
    • Ciena 6500, RLS, and Waveserver
    • Arista 7800 Series Routers

Tools & Software
  • Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel) - professional written communication, tracking, and reporting
  • Network monitoring (Ciena MCP / Site Manager, SNMP-based platforms)
  • Terminal/SSH clients (PuTTY, SecureCRT)
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent work experience
  • 2+ years in a NOC, network support, or transport operations role
  • Industry certifications a plus: Ciena OC-A/OC-P, Cisco CCNA/CCNP (Service Provider or Enterprise)

Work Conditions:
24x7x365 shift environment (3 individual shifts, weekends, and holidays as required)
Primarily office/NOC-based in Overland Park, KS, Washington, DC and/or Herndon, VA.
By submitting an application or resume for this position, I understand that is an in-office position. To apply for the NOC position, please submit your resume and cover letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Applicants Only -No Recruiters Please!
Cogent Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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