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Top Secret Linux Engineer Security Clearance Jobs

Leidos

Principal Linux Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$154K - $278K/yr

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Linux Engineer in our Intelligence ... Security Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph conmd cssrc If you're looking ...

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Top Secret Linux Engineer Security Clearance information

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How much do top secret linux engineer security clearance jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for top secret linux engineer security clearance in the United States is $59.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.08 and $67.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Top Secret Linux Engineer with Security Clearance, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Top Secret Linux Engineer with Security Clearance, you need deep expertise in Linux system administration, networking, cybersecurity best practices, and typically a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with an active Top Secret security clearance. Familiarity with security monitoring tools, scripting languages (such as Bash or Python), and compliance systems like SELinux or DISA STIGs is frequently required. Strong problem-solving, discretion, and communication skills help you respond to threats and collaborate securely across teams. These abilities are vital to protect sensitive systems, ensure compliance with government standards, and maintain national security.

What is a Top Secret Linux Engineer Security Clearance?

A Top Secret Linux Engineer Security Clearance refers to an IT professional who specializes in managing and securing Linux-based systems and networks, and holds a 'Top Secret' level clearance from the U.S. government. This clearance allows them to access highly sensitive or classified information necessary for their work, typically in defense, intelligence, or government sectors. The role involves configuring, maintaining, and securing Linux systems while ensuring compliance with strict security protocols and regulations. Obtaining this clearance requires a thorough background check and adherence to government standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Top Secret Linux Engineers working in secure environments, and how can candidates prepare for them?

Top Secret Linux Engineers often work in highly regulated, secure environments where strict access controls, compliance protocols, and documentation requirements are enforced. Common challenges include adapting to limited internet access, navigating complex approval processes for software changes, and balancing security with operational efficiency. Candidates can prepare by familiarizing themselves with government security standards (such as NIST or DISA STIGs), developing strong troubleshooting skills in air-gapped or isolated networks, and staying current on secure Linux administration best practices. Demonstrating adaptability and clear communication skills is also essential for effective collaboration with cross-functional security and compliance teams.
Infographic showing various Top Secret Linux Engineer Security Clearance job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,247 per year, or $59.7 per hour.
Tier 2 Network Engineer (Top Secret) with Security Clearance

Tier 2 Network Engineer (Top Secret) with Security Clearance

Zachary Piper Solutions, LLC

Manassas, VA

$140K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Tier 2 Network Engineer to support a critical program for Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration in Manassas, VA and Washington, D.C.. The team is seeking a skilled engineer to design, implement, and maintain secure, high-performance network infrastructures in support of stockpile management, nonproliferation and nuclear security. This job opens for applications on 5/26/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date Clearance: Active Top Secret Clearance and/or DOE Q Location: Washington, D.C. initially, then Manassas, VA Schedule: 100% on-site Responsibilities of the Network Engineer: * Work closely with cross-functional teams to diagnose issues, enhance performance, and maintain the scalability and dependability of the network, while overseeing continuous upgrades and strengthening security measures * Deploy, configure, maintain, and enhance LAN and WAN infrastructure, including routers, switches, VPN devices, load balancers, and security systems.
* Apply security patches promptly across all network infrastructure components, such as routers, switches, voice/video systems, and security appliances.
* Utilize network monitoring tools to assess performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement optimizations aligned with industry best practices.
* Maintain a current inventory of network assets, tracking both hardware and software components to support effective asset management and lifecycle planning.
* Contribute to network project planning by offering design insights, technical evaluations, and support during engineering discussions.
* Oversee data center network infrastructure, assist with storage and virtualization platforms, and collaborate with cross-functional teams on infrastructure scaling and enhancements.
* Diagnose and resolve network issues and outages impacting voice, video, and data services; coordinate and schedule necessary upgrades and performance enhancements.
* Exhibit skills in routing, switching, and firewall configuration, supporting the deployment and maintenance of secure, high-performance LAN/WAN environments. Qualifications of the Network Engineer: * Active Top Secret and/or DOE Q clearance
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a related discipline and 5-8+ years of network engineering experience
* Certifications: Sec+, CCNA (highly preferred)
* Extensive experience configuring Cisco routers and switches (IOS/NX-OS), as well as Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls and VPNs.
* Hands-on experience with General Dynamics Taclanes and/or GEM One encryption devices.
* Proficient in F5 Load Balancer technologies, including GTM and BIG-IP DNS.
* Strong technical background in both Windows and Unix/Linux environments, with expertise in network security, traffic analysis, incident response, vulnerability assessment, packet inspection, and system hardening.
* In-depth knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols, encryption standards, and communication protocols, including but not limited to: TLS/SSL, IPsec, SSH, BGP, VLAN, LLDP, LACP, ARP, 802.1X, DNS, AES, and NTP.
* Skilled in network design, implementation, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
Compensation of the Network Engineer: * Total compensation based on experience level - $140,000-$170,000 **based on experience level**
* Full Benefits: PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, and Vision, 401k with ADP
* Long-term program (3.5 years remaining) Keywords: network design, network implementation, LAN, WAN, routing protocols, top secret, DOE Q, Q clearance, F5, load balancer, VLAN, NTP, CCNA, CCNP, Sec+, Net+, onsite, on-site, Manassas, D.C., Virginia, ts/sci, security clearance, switching protocols, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLAN, STP, RSTP, MSTP, subnetting, IP addressing, IPv4, IPv6, NAT, PAT, DHCP, DNS, TCP/IP, UDP, ICMP, ARP, MAC addressing, QoS, multicast, unicast, broadcast, firewall configuration, VPN, IPsec, SSL/TLS, SSH, network security, intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, SIEM, packet analysis, Wireshark, SNMP, NetFlow, syslog, network monitoring, network troubleshooting, performance tuning, load balancing, F5, GTM, BIG-IP, Cisco IOS, NX-OS, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point, network automation, Python scripting, Ansible, SDN, SD-WAN, cloud networking, AWS networking, Azure networking, GCP networking, virtualization, VMware, Hyper-V, network segmentation, 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+, wireless networking, Wi-Fi, 802.11 standards, network topology, cabling standards, fiber optics, Ethernet, PoE, data center networking, high availability, redundancy, failover, network documentation, change management, configuration management, network compliance, NIST, ISO 27001, ITIL, DevOps, NetDevOps

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