SME Systems and Network Engineer

GovCIO is seeking an SME Systems and Network Engineer to support mission-critical IT programs for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This position will serve as a key technical authority and Router SME, working directly with the Transport Platform Section (TPS) to assist with mission and daily operations. This position will be located in Alexandria, VA as a hybrid position, with the requirement to travel up to 25% (TDY) or deploy to remote sites to provide network architecture plans, hardware configurations, and integration support.
Responsibilities
As an SME Systems and Network Engineer, you will serve as the primary technical expert responsible for ensuring the operational readiness, architecture engineering, and tactical deployment of complex transport and network systems within the TPS. You will provide elevated technical support, serve as a Router SME, interface directly with Tier 2 teams and multi-disciplinary engineers, and deliver hands-on routing solutions in the field. Key responsibilities include:
Technical Router Subject Matter Expertise & Configuration
Provide deep subject matter expertise to the TPS, ensuring both long-term strategic mission objectives and daily engineering operations are executed successfully.

• Act as the primary hands-on Router SME to build, apply, test, and troubleshoot site-specific configurations for enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint edge devices.
• Isolate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex, systemic hardware and software anomalies affecting critical transport and tactical network infrastructure.

Elevated Technical Support & Mission Recovery

• Rapidly respond to and resolve high-priority Casualty Reports (CASREPs) to ensure the immediate restoration of degraded or non-operational maritime and tactical network infrastructure.
• Provide advanced, elevated technical support and act as a critical escalation tier for Tier 2 teams to engineer permanent fixes.

Architecture Engineering & Design

• Develop, evaluate, and refine comprehensive network architecture plans and transport engineering designs optimized for remote, austere, and tactical environments.
• Quality-check, validate, and formally approve engineering design packages (EDPs), technical briefs, and architectural blueprints for transport platform deployments.
• Drive infrastructure innovation within the TPS by researching, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies, network modernization frameworks, and engineering best practices.

Hardware Collaboration & Logistics

• Partner closely with logistics and supply chain personnel to synchronize physical hardware pipelines, component provisioning, strategic sparing, and full-lifecycle asset management.

Field Deployments & Technical Governance

• Travel up to 25% (TDY) or deploy to remote, specialized operational sites to spearhead field engineering assessments, hardware integrations, and tactical transport rollouts.
• Collaborate directly with USCG leadership, cross-functional engineering teams, and section stakeholders to align transport platform capabilities with tactical mission requirements.
• Provide technical governance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineering personnel to maintain rigorous operational and engineering performance standards.

Qualifications
High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)
Required Skills & Experience

• Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+).
• Proven experience serving as a Router SME, Principal Systems Engineer, or Senior Network Engineer on large-scale federal IT infrastructure or tactical network programs.
• Extensive hands-on experience designing, planning, configuring, and documenting complex Network Architecture Plans utilizing Cisco enterprise routers, ingest routers, and Cradlepoint solutions.
• Demonstrated experience providing elevated technical support, interfacing with Tier 2 teams, and resolving critical network degradations under pressure (direct CASREP experience is highly preferred).
• Proven track record of working with logistics teams to manage hardware collaboration, technical integration, and full lifecycle equipment rollouts.
• Willingness and operational readiness to travel up to 25% (TDY) to remote environments to support critical transport network infrastructure stand-ups and testing.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting deep technical concepts and system architectures to high-level government and military leadership.
• Proficiency in advanced network mapping tools, systems engineering modeling software, and standard integrated tracking tools.

Clearance Level: Secret
Preferred Skills & Experience

• Preferred certifications: CCNA or CCNP (Enterprise/Routing and Switching) are highly desired.
• Direct experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard missions, specifically within the Transport Platform Section (TPS), C5I, or related engineering directorates.
• Strong understanding of military transport systems, satellite communications, tactical radios, or specialized maritime/deployable networking infrastructure.
• Experience working with secure network enclaves, cross-domain solutions, and strict federal cybersecurity compliance standards.
• Familiarity with containerization, virtualization, or transport-edge infrastructure optimization in disconnected/low-bandwidth environments.

#AR
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Posted Salary Range
USD $135,000.00 - USD $175,000.00 /Yr.