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# Network Engineer I

- **Company:** Cornerstone Defense
- **Location:** Belleville, IL, United States
- **Experience:** Starter
- **Salary:** $55,000.0 - $75,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, JIRA, Synchronous Optical Networking, Microsoft Outlook, Cyber Security, Multi-protocol Systems, Local Area Networks, Network Troubleshooting, Network Control, Routing, Microsoft PowerPoint, Software Configuration Management, Network Routers, Computer Network Operations, Juniper, SolarWinds (Software), Cisco
- **Published:** September 1, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/a29eb4eb-ef34-46b5-aabc-e11f4b4f7e18

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree and less than 2 years relevant experience, or equivalent education/experience combination.
 * DoD-8570 IAT Level II certification (Security+ CE or equivalent) prior to start date.
 * Ability to work in a 247 shift environment.
 * General understanding of both IP and Transport network topologies.

Preferred:

 * Experience in a tech control facility or cyber transport environment.
 * Exposure to circuit actions, vendor coordination, or IP/Transport architecture.
 * Experience with SolarWinds and Jira.
 * Telco NOC, inside plant, or outside plant experience.
 * Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Teams).
 * Experience in one or more areas: alarm surveillance, fault management, LAN maintenance, performance management, change management.

## Description

Cornerstone Defense offers a very comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Plans * Generous PTO Policy * 401(k) * HSA and FSA options * Life and Disability Insurance * Tuition Reimbursement and Training * Perks at Work Discount Program * Referral Program * Leads Generation Program * CollegeAmerica 529 * Fitness Reimbursement Program * Travel Assistance * Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions * Life Planning Financial & Legal Services *, The Network Engineer II executes real-time network operations, analysis, troubleshooting, and change management across DISN transport and IP infrastructure. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, operational awareness, and customer-focused communication to maintain maximum network availability and support critical DoD missions. Engineers work in a 247 environment and coordinate directly with customers, government agencies, O&M teams, and higher-tier engineering organizations.

Core Tasks:

 * Execute network operations including configuration, analysis, and support of customer circuits across optical platforms, multiplexers, routers, and switches.
 * Perform real-time circuit redesign and alternate routing to restore connectivity during outages, maintenance, or service degradations.
 * Work directly with internal/external customers, government agencies, and higher-tier engineering teams to ensure maximum network availability.
 * Proactively monitor network alarms using platform-specific tools and identify service-impacting conditions.
 * Conduct change-management tasks including hardware replacement, software configuration adjustments, and ASI execution.
 * Utilize incident management applications to document outages, degradations, troubleshooting steps, escalations, and resolutions throughout the lifecycle of network incidents.
 * Assess, identify, and recommend solutions to network issues using foundational knowledge of routers, switches, crypto devices, routing, Cisco, Juniper, MSPP, optical transport systems, MPLS, TDM, and SDH/SONET.