Senior Packet Core Network Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

**DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HOLD A CURRENT TOP-SECRET CLEARANCE**

Location: Washington, DC (On-Site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000 annually

MUST HAVE Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility Required

Who We Are

At RCG, we're more than just a federal contracting companywe're a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators. Proudly Certified as a Great Place to Work, we are committed to building a culture where people can grow, contribute, and thrive while delivering exceptional IT services to government clients.

The Opportunity

RCG is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to support enterprise network operations, architecture, modernization, and troubleshooting for a large federal agency in Washington, DC.

This is not a general IT support role, nor is it a paper-only architecture position. We are seeking a senior engineer who can independently own complex network issues, review and validate proposed changes, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership across routing, switching, WAN, firewall, secure transport, and classified network operations.

The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable troubleshooting a production outage, reviewing a proposed network design, validating a firewall change, documenting an implementation plan, or leading a maintenance-window activity.

What You'll Do

• Provide senior technical leadership for enterprise network operations, including routing, switching, firewalls, WAN transport, secure communications, and supporting infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot complex network issues across Layer 1 through Layer 7, including routing, switching, firewall policy, encrypted transport, and application/service connectivity.
• Design, review, implement, and validate network changes involving routing, switching, firewall policies, secure transport, and modernization initiatives.
• Support VOSIP, VTC, CUCM, and collaboration services, including network path validation, QoS considerations, multicast behavior, and secure communications requirements.
• Participate in network architecture reviews, modernization efforts, and major infrastructure upgrades.
• Lead maintenance-window activities, including implementation planning, rollback procedures, validation testing, and post-change reviews.
• Develop and maintain network diagrams, as-built documentation, implementation plans, validation procedures, and operational runbooks.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues using enterprise monitoring and diagnostic tools.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders, security teams, ISSOs, vendors, and technical SMEs to support operations, compliance, and modernization efforts.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on troubleshooting, packet flow analysis, change management, and operational best practices.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on network engineering experience in enterprise, federal, DoD, or similarly complex environments.
• Active CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, or equivalent advanced networking certification.
• Strong experience with Cisco routing and switching, enterprise LAN/WAN environments, routing protocols, high-availability technologies, and multi-site network troubleshooting.
• Experience troubleshooting routed, switched, firewalled, and encrypted transport environments.
• Experience supporting enterprise voice, video, and collaboration services.
• Experience with change control, maintenance planning, configuration review, rollback procedures, and post-change validation.
• Experience creating technical documentation, network diagrams, implementation plans, and operational procedures.
• Experience supporting Cisco, Dell, Palo Alto, Juniper, or other enterprise networking platforms.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and mentor less-experienced engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cisco CCIE, Cisco Specialist certifications, or other advanced networking certifications.
• Experience supporting classified, Red/Black, TACLANE, HAIPE, or encrypted transport environments.
• Experience with GRE, IPsec, secure WAN transport, multicast, and collaboration services.
• Experience with Cisco ASA, Firepower, Cisco Nexus, and datacenter networking technologies.
• Experience with SolarWinds, Wireshark, packet analysis, and enterprise monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with cloud integration, network automation, and federal accreditation processes.

What Success Looks Like

• Independently manages complex network operations, troubleshooting, and engineering initiatives with minimal oversight.
• Balances technical expertise with sound judgment, ensuring production stability and minimizing operational risk.
• Produces accurate documentation, validates changes thoroughly, and follows established change management processes.
• Demonstrates strong ownership, accountability, and communication throughout project and operational activities.
• Mentors and develops junior engineers while contributing to a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Actively supports network modernization efforts and helps drive operational efficiencies across the enterprise.

Work Environment

• 100% on-site in Washington, DC.
• Occasional after-hours support may be required for maintenance windows and operational activities.
• Must be willing to perform hands-on troubleshooting and physical connectivity validation when necessary.

Please Note

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all customer onboarding requirements.
• This position supports mission-critical federal operations and requires adherence to established change control and operational procedures.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Proudly Certified as a Great Place to Work.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Work alongside highly skilled engineers supporting critical national security missions.
• Contribute to modernization efforts that directly impact federal operations and mission success.

Equal Employment Opportunity

RCG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against qualified individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position