Network / Software Engineer

Description

Job Title: Network / Software Engineer

Location: Fort Meade, MD
Client: Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
Clearance: Active DOD Secret

Certification: CompTIA SEC+ CE

BA/BS in a technical discipline (engineering, information technology, etc.) with at least 5 years of experience 

Requirements

Position Overview

The Software Engineer will provide software-defined networking (SDN) engineering, integration, automation, testing, and configuration management support. within DISA transport environment. This role supports both production and test networks and works closely with SDN, operations, testing, and automation teams to ensure secure, compliant, and reliable network functionality.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop      and deliver a working version of Cisco NSO key management and key      generation service packages to Operations, including updates to Cisco NSO      and associated Network Element Drivers (NEDs). This task encompasses      providing MACsec Key Generation and Key Management integration and      sustainment support.
• Develop,      update, and maintain Cisco NSO service packages used for operational network      configuration management
• Synchronize      development and integration efforts to support network configuration      deployment. 
• Produce and support Engineering Change Requests      (ECRs) required to implement MACsec within the Production network.
• Support development of ECRs required to grant      IPCCM permissions to configure cryptographic keys on production routers.
• Configure and validate network devices to allow      secure connectivity between the IPCCM JITC Lab Instance and the DISN      Transport Testbed.
• Coordinate with Operations teams on requested      changes, updates, testing, and ongoing configuration support of automation      modules.
• Provide Configuration Management (CM) support,      including version control, documentation, and release coordination.
• Integrate and support CloudShell Automation      within the network automation and orchestration environment.

Testing and Deliverables

The Software Engineer shall develop, execute, and deliver formal testing artifacts, including:

• Test Plans and Test Scenarios defining      functional, integration, system, and regression testing for Cisco NSO      modules, automation workflows, and updated NEDs. 
• Develop and implement hardware and software      solutions to create a virtualized and automated testbed.
• Execute testing in lab and testbed environments,      including coordination with the IPCCM JITC Lab and DISN Transport Testbed.
• Produce Test Reports documenting test procedures,      results, defects, remediation actions, and validation outcomes prior to      production deployment.
• Support troubleshooting, defect resolution,      re-testing, and validation activities based on test findings.
• Ensure all testing documentation and deliverables      comply with DISA, DoD, and program documentation standards.

Required Skills and Qualifications

· DoD and/or Government program experience preferred; DISA experience a plus.

· BA/BS in a technical discipline (engineering, information technology, etc.) with at least 5 years of experience

· DoD Active Secret Clearance Required

· DoD Approved 8570/8140 Certification Required, i.e., Network+ CE, Security+ CE, CISSP or similar

· Must be a US Citizen 

· Strong background on network automation/orchestration and modern DevOps practices

· Proven experience in driving efficiency by automating network configuration and operational state management via model-driven interfaces (NETCONF, REST APIs) using open-source tools like Ansible and Python libraries (Netmiko, Paramiko, ncclient) or proprietary tools like Cisco NSO. 

· Skilled in building and managing CI/CD pipelines, utilizing version control systems (GitLab, GitHub), and deploying services with Docker containers to create robust, end-to-end automation workflows

• Proficient with RedHat Linux system or Linux      distribution
• Experience creating Test Plans, Test Scenarios,      and Test Reports for network and software deployments.
• Experience supporting Engineering Change Requests      (ECRs) in controlled production environments.
• Understanding of Configuration Management (CM)      principles and best practices.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical,      documentation, and communication skills with the ability to work      effectively in a team environment.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Tools: PowerPoint, Word, and Excel

· Excellent communication (verbal and written), effective leadership, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Cisco certifications such as CCNP or CCIE.
• Experience with Cisco Network Services      Orchestrator (NSO) is      desirable (not required).
• Experience supporting DISA, DoD, or other federal      government network environments.
• Familiarity with IPCCM, DISN, and transport      network architectures.
• Experience with CloudShell Automation or similar      orchestration platforms.
• Experience working in Agile or DevSecOps      environments.
• Active or eligible DoD Security Clearance (as      required by contract).

Work Environment

• On-site support at Fort Meade, MD.
• Collaboration with SDN, automation, testing,      engineering, and operations teams supporting mission-critical DISA      networks.