Network Engineer

Venatôre is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to support the USCENTCOM Information Technology Services (CITS) Program. This position serves as a technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, securing, and maintaining complex enterprise network infrastructures. The role emphasizes advanced network technologies, including Software-Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization, Zero Trust architectures, network automation, and hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity. The Senior Network Engineer will provide technical direction, independently solve complex engineering challenges, support mission-critical programs and projects, and represent the organization in technical engagements with internal and external stakeholders. This position is located onsite at USCENTCOM Headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and requires up to 10% CONUS and OCONUS travel annually.

Responsibilities

Network Design and Architecture

• Develop enterprise network designs supporting advanced routing, segmentation, resiliency, scalability, and automation.
• Architect secure network solutions using Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, Cisco Identity Services Engine, Palo Alto Networks, or equivalent technologies.
• Integrate Zero Trust principles, identity-based access controls, and microsegmentation across on-premises, hybrid-cloud, and multi-cloud environments.
• Develop technical specifications, detailed network architecture diagrams, schematics, and implementation documentation.
• Define hardware and software maintenance requirements, implementation techniques, configuration standards, and operational procedures.
• Evaluate network technologies and recommend solutions aligned with organizational objectives and mission requirements.
• Design secure and scalable connectivity between on-premises infrastructure and cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Develop practical and innovative technical solutions to complex network engineering problems.

Network Implementation and Operations

• Deploy, configure, manage, and maintain LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, VPN, data center, and cloud-connected network environments.
• Configure and optimize network routing, switching, redundancy, performance, and failover capabilities.
• Implement and support routing and transport technologies, including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VXLAN, and MPLS.
• Configure and maintain VLANs, VPNs, Quality of Service, IPv6, firewall policies, and network segmentation controls.
• Manage advanced firewalls, load balancers, gateways, routers, switches, bridges, and other network infrastructure components.
• Administer identity-based network access policies and network security controls.
• Conduct testing, validation, and performance analysis of network systems and proposed changes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network connectivity, performance, routing, security, and availability issues.
• Maintain technical expertise across network and computer hardware and software interconnection, integration, and interfacing technologies.
• Support network lifecycle activities, including upgrades, maintenance, configuration management, and technology refresh initiatives.

Software-Defined Networking and Automation

• Design, implement, and support Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization solutions.
• Develop and maintain network automation workflows using Ansible, Python, Terraform, or equivalent tools.
• Automate network configuration, deployment, validation, monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Integrate programmable infrastructure and orchestration capabilities into enterprise network operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, security, and reliability through automation.
• Maintain documentation and source control for network automation scripts, templates, and workflows.

Network Security and Zero Trust

• Design and operate network security architectures aligned with Zero Trust principles.
• Implement microsegmentation and least-privilege access controls across enterprise and cloud environments.
• Configure and maintain firewall rules, access control policies, secure remote access, and identity-aware network controls.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to identify, assess, and remediate network vulnerabilities.
• Ensure network designs and configurations comply with applicable Department of Defense security policies, technical standards, and operational requirements.
• Support secure connectivity for mission-critical systems and regulated environments.

Technical Leadership and Program Support

• Serve as a senior technical resource for complex network engineering initiatives.
• Independently determine and develop approaches for solving difficult technical problems.
• Contribute to the successful completion of assigned programs, projects, and engineering objectives.
• Lead or support cross-functional technical initiatives involving network, systems, cloud, cybersecurity, and application teams.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to engineers, administrators, and other team members.
• Review completed work for technical quality, effectiveness, and alignment with program objectives.
• Represent Venatôre in resolving difficult technical issues associated with specific projects and mission requirements.
• Participate in technical briefings, design reviews, planning sessions, and meetings with internal and external representatives.
• Maintain frequent communication with interorganizational teams, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and present technical recommendations, architecture decisions, risks, and implementation plans.

Monitoring, Documentation, and Continuous Improvement

• Use network monitoring, logging, and analytics tools to assess performance, availability, security, and capacity.
• Develop and maintain network diagrams, configuration documentation, test results, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Monitor network health and identify trends that may affect service performance or mission readiness.
• Recommend and implement improvements to network architecture, security, operational processes, and support procedures.
• Stay current with emerging network technologies, security practices, automation capabilities, and industry standards.
• Promote continuous learning, technical innovation, and operational excellence across the network engineering team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible network engineering experience.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
• Expert-level knowledge of Cisco, Juniper, Arista, or comparable enterprise networking platforms.
• Strong understanding of Software-Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization, Zero Trust architecture, and network virtualization.
• Hands-on experience with technologies such as VMware NSX, Cisco ACI, Cisco Identity Services Engine, Palo Alto Networks, or equivalent platforms.
• Demonstrated experience designing, deploying, and maintaining enterprise LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, VPN, and data center networks.
• Deep technical knowledge of TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, VPNs, Quality of Service, IPv6, VXLAN, MPLS, and firewall policies.
• Hands-on experience with network automation using Ansible, Python, Terraform, or comparable technologies.
• Experience integrating cloud networking in Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform with on-premises environments.
• Ability to independently analyze and resolve complex network engineering problems.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives.
• Ability to work onsite at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually to CONUS and OCONUS locations in support of the USCENTCOM mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing, implementing, or operating Zero Trust network architectures.
• Experience supporting USCENTCOM, another combatant command, or a comparable Department of Defense organization.
• Familiarity with network monitoring and analytics tools such as SolarWinds, Riverbed, Splunk, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience supporting mission-critical, classified, or regulated environments, including DoD, FedRAMP, or financial services environments.
• Knowledge of container networking technologies, including Kubernetes, Istio, Calico, or equivalent solutions.
• Experience with cloud-native networking, secure access service edge, or multi-cloud network architecture.
• Relevant advanced networking or security certifications.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and emerging technology adoption.

Pulled from the full job description

• Military leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid military leave, Venatôre offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees, including:
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 10 Federal Holidays
• 401(k) with company matching
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid military leave

Venatôre is a mission-driven government contractor based in Tampa, FL, supporting federal and civilian agencies with secure cutting-edge technology, cybersecurity, and mission support services. Our teams are trusted in demanding environments because we integrate with client missions, combining technical depth, operational precision, and innovative thinking to deliver meaningful results where they matter most.