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Senior Protocol Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Network Engineer, Senior

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$77K - $176K/yr

Network Engineer, Senior The Opportunity: A well-designed network is critical to move data and ... Your knowledge of enterprise-level network protocols, equipment, emerging technology, and ...

Network Engineer- Senior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$138 - $168/hr

TCP/IP transport network design and engineering, network routing protocols, advanced virtual ... Senior Network Administrator * Network Security Engineer * Network Infrastructure Manager Keywords

As a Senior IAM Engineer, you will serve as a key subject matter expert (SME) within the broader ... Architect and deliver end-to-end federation strategies using modern protocols (SAML, OIDC, OAuth 2 ...

Senior Network Engineer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Troubleshoots and resolves complex network issues involving various protocols, topologies ... Experience providing senior-level engineering support. * Experience with TACLANE systems. Desired ...

Job Title Senior Electrical Engineer Job Post Summary Seeking an experienced Senior Electrical ... Experience with RS232, UART, CAN, I2C, and SPI communication protocols. * Experience designing ...

The Senior Network Engineer will serve as a senior technical contributor responsible for ... Perform packet-level and protocol analysis to identify network performance, connectivity, routing ...

Senior Network Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$112 - $179/hr

Senior Network Engineer Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a self-driven ... Experience and understanding of networking fundamentals such as network protocols and common ...

Senior Network Engineer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$112K - $153K/yr

Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues involving various protocols, topologies, networking ... Experience providing senior-level engineering support * Large enterprise environment experience

Senior Network Engineer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$112K - $153K/yr

Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues involving various protocols, topologies, networking ... Experience providing senior-level engineering support * Large enterprise environment experience

Showing results 41-60

Senior Protocol Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$67.4K

$143.3K

$207.8K

How much do senior protocol engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior protocol engineer in Washington, DC is $143,338.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior protocol engineer do?

A Senior Protocol Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing communication protocols that enable secure and efficient data exchange over networks or within distributed systems. They work on developing new protocols or improving existing ones, often focusing on areas like blockchain, networking, or cryptography. Their role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, troubleshooting protocol-related issues, and ensuring that protocols are robust, scalable, and secure. Additionally, they may mentor junior engineers and contribute to open-source projects or standards bodies.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a senior protocol engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Protocol Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of network protocols, distributed systems, cryptography, and strong programming skills, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with protocol design tools, languages like Rust, Go, or C++, and experience with blockchain frameworks or RFC standards are often required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills help in leading teams and navigating complex technical challenges. These abilities are crucial for designing secure, efficient protocols and ensuring reliable communication within advanced technology ecosystems.

How does a senior protocol engineer collaborate with cross-functional teams during the protocol development lifecycle?

As a Senior Protocol Engineer, collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential throughout the protocol development lifecycle. You will work closely with product managers to understand requirements, coordinate with security engineers to ensure protocol robustness, and partner with frontend/backend engineers to support implementation. Regular communication, code reviews, and design discussions are common, as you’ll often serve as a technical lead, guiding architecture decisions and ensuring alignment across teams. This collaborative approach helps ensure the protocol meets both technical and business objectives while maintaining high standards for security and performance.

What is the difference between Senior Protocol Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectSenior Protocol EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, certifications like CCNP, CCIEBachelor's in Computer Science, certifications like CCNA, CCNP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, analyzing, and optimizing network protocols, often in R&D or specialized teamsManaging and maintaining network infrastructure, troubleshooting connectivity issues
Industry UsageTelecommunications, data centers, networking hardware companiesIT departments, service providers, enterprise networks

The Senior Protocol Engineer focuses on developing and optimizing network protocols, requiring deep technical expertise. In contrast, a Network Engineer manages and maintains network infrastructure, ensuring connectivity and performance. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in related environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Protocol Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Network Engineer, Senior

Booz Allen Hamilton

Mclean, VA • Hybrid

$77K - $176K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop enterprise-wide network infrastructure design and architecture.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues to improve security, reliability, and availability.

  • Support the deployment and support of network and security architectures within DoD environments.


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description

Network Engineer, Senior

The Opportunity:

A well-designed network is critical to move data and enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to achieve their missions, but how can an organization make sure their network will fit their evolving needs? Crafting the right network with the right equipment and software requires a combination of technical skill and careful planning. That's why we need a seasoned Network Engineer like you who knows how to develop the exact network the DoD needs.

As a Network Engineer on our team, you'll use your experience in network design and architecture, system interoperability, OSI model, network transport layers, multi-protocol label switching, gateway protocol, and virtual routing and forwarding to support the nation's defense and respond to evolving adversaries. You'll develop enterprise-wide infrastructure design, troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, analyze current working infrastructures, and increase security, reliability, and availability for critical network systems.You'll apply your expertise in routing and switching, network design and architecture, system interoperability, IP engineering, network transport layers, multi-protocol label switching, gateway protocol, and virtual routing and forwarding as you guide our team of problem-solvers to help the DoD evolve and deploy new capabilities and technologies. Your knowledge of enterprise-level network protocols, equipment, emerging technology, and configurations will come in handy as you optimize client operations and modernization. Using your experience in software and hardware firewalls, Cisco hardware, Palo Alto firewalls, Juniper hardware, and optical infrastructure networking, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients on critical projects. Using your technical curiosity and knowledge of industry standards, you'll make an impact on national security-related missions.

Join us. The world can't wait.

You Have:

  • 5+ years of experience designing, deploying, and supporting network and security architectures within DoD hybrid environments, including implementing Zero Trust principles

  • 2+ years of experience implementing and configuring network segmentation or micro segmentation solutions, including SoftwareDefined Networking or (SDN) technologies, SD-WAN, container networking, or virtualization platforms

  • 2+ years of experience documenting complex network and security architectures, procedures, and troubleshooting workflows, including Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) implementations and detailed documentation of BGP policy behavior, NGFW IDS/IPS configurations, or NAT and SNAT translation flows

  • 2+ years of experience with security, routing, and switching protocols, including BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, MPLS, LDP, RSVP, VPLS, STP, or L3VPNs

  • Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with senior leadership

  • Secret clearance

  • HS diploma or GED

Nice If You Have:

  • Experience supporting and operating DoD networks

  • Experience developing enterprise-level architectures

  • Experience deploying, upgrading, and troubleshooting multivendor network and security platforms such as Cisco, Juniper, or Versa

  • Experience applying STIGs and performing system security hardening

  • Experience with commercial and DoD cloud networks

  • Bachelor's degree in CS or Engineering

  • CCNP or JNCIP Certification

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; Secret clearance is required.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,600.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.

  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.

  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.

  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.


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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914