Network Engineer SME with Security Clearance

ABOUT PRISM PRISM is devoted to modernization and innovation across technology, security, and IT enterprise solutions. We are recognized for meeting performance requirements and exceeding customer expectations since 1994. Our culture is founded on relationships, opportunity, and success. Offering comprehensive benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, and 401K along with our people - first approach sustains our reputation as a premier employer.

PRISM is seeking a highly experienced SME Network Engineer / Integration Architect to serve as the senior technical authority across federal C5I systems integrating into SD-WAN. This position focuses on providing expertise in networking, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems integration to support modernization efforts across the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN).This role ensures that solutions are technically sound, validated in lab environments, and executable at scale across federal operational assets.

This position is located in Alexandria, VA and will be a hybrid schedule, with travel required to physical lab and operational environments as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES The SME Systems Engineer / Integration Architect will handle technical systems administration, laboratory testing, and architecture across federal initiative landscapes (including Enterprise SD WAN/GuardianNet Gateway, Cisco ISE, and automated pipelines).

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) across federal C5I systems, including networks (afloat and ashore), systems engineering components, and cybersecurity architecture.
• Provide authoritative systems engineering and integration architecture guidance to engineering teams, PMO, program leadership, and federal stakeholders (e.g., Technical Warrant Holders [TWH] and Information System Security Managers [ISSM]).
• Support the design, systems architecture, and integration of enterprise SD-WAN solutions, secure identity/access services, and modern architectures aligned to the DoDIN.
• Review and validate High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), system implementation plans, and engineering change proposals.
• Lead and support engineering validation efforts within federal C5I labs and CyKor SD-WAN/integration labs to define metrics, acceptance criteria, and failurescenarios.
• Ensure complex technical solutions are proven in lab environments prior to deployment across cutter environments (afloat constraints), shore units, and gateways.
• Troubleshoot complex systems performance issues and transport variability across SATCOM, terrestrial links, and emerging options like Starlink.
• Ensure solutions strictly align with Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements, DISA STIGs, and federal C5I security policies to support ATO lifecycles.
• Support the development of automation playbooks (Ansible, scripting) and reporting tools to reduce manual configurations and increase infrastructure visibility.
• Interface directly with federal C5I stakeholders (NET, SEC, TWH), prime contractor PMO, and delivery leadership during engineering review boards. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (SKILLS/EDUCATION):
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or commensurate experience) with 10+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering, network engineering, and enterprise integration architecture within DoD, DHS, or federal environments.
• Certifications: Current DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification (CompTIA Security+ CE minimum).
• Demonstrated systems engineering and integration architecture expertise in federal C5I systems or similar DoD architectures alongside large-scale enterprise network design and operations.
• Deep expertise in routing & switching protocols (BGP, OSPF), WAN technologies, and transport resilience across diverse infrastructures.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco technologies (SD-WAN, ISE, routing platforms) and enterprise firewalls (Cisco Firepower/FTD or equivalent).
• Proven experience utilizing automation (Ansible, Python) inside lab-based validation, testing, and operational troubleshooting environments.
• Ability to travel to physical federal C5I environments, CyKor labs, and CONUS cutter and shore locations to participate in deployment and testing windows.
• Clearance Level: Must have an active Secret clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience supporting federal C5I initiatives, VTS, or R21 (Coastal, Western Rivers, Alaska) programs within afloat cutter environments.
• Familiarity with PKI integration (auto-enrollment, secure onboarding) and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA).
• Experience working within integration labs (C5I or equivalent) executing data center modernization and large-scale deployments.
• Advanced technical certifications highly desired: Cisco CCNP or CCIE; CISSP; Red Hat/automation certifications.

REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active Secret Clearance PRISM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.