Joint Fires Network Engineer with Security Clearance

Joint Fires Network Engineer
Job Description
The Joint Fires Network Engineer supports a Department of Defense customer by executing complex network operations and ensuring high availability of mission-critical services at Scott Air Force Base. This role focuses on configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting transport and IP networks in a 24x7 environment, working with a variety of optical, electro-optical, and routing technologies to maintain secure and reliable connectivity.

Responsibilities
Execute network operations for customer circuits across optical and electro-optical multiplexers, routers, and switches. Configure and analyze transport and IP network topologies to support mission-critical communications. Perform real-time circuit redesign and alternate routing to restore customer connectivity during scheduled and unscheduled outages and maintenance actions. Work directly with internal and external customers, external government agencies, and other engineering tiers to ensure maximum network availability and minimize mission and operational impact.

Proactively monitor network alarms using platform-specific network management tools to detect and address issues before they affect service. Perform change management tasks, including hardware replacement, software configuration, and ASI (Authorized Service Interruption) management. Utilize incident management applications to document all aspects of reported outages and degradations, including isolation steps, escalations, and resolutions throughout the lifecycle of service-impacting network incidents.

Assess, identify, and recommend resolutions to various network incidents and deficiencies using knowledge of routers, switches, crypto devices, routing protocols, CISCO and Juniper platforms, MSPP, optical transport networks, MPLS, time division multiplexing, and SDH/SONET. Collaborate with circuit vendors and telecom providers as needed to support circuit actions and resolve transport-related issues. Contribute to performance management and fault management activities to improve overall network reliability and efficiency.

Support alarm surveillance, LAN maintenance, and change management processes to maintain a stable and secure network environment. Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of prior relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. DoD-8570 IAT Level 2 baseline certification (such as Security+ CE or equivalent) obtained prior to employment. Ability to work effectively in a 24x7 shift work environment, including day, evening, and overnight shifts. Working knowledge of both transport and IP network topologies.

Active Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility. Hands-on experience assessing, identifying, and recommending resolutions for network incidents and deficiencies. Technical proficiency with routers, switches, crypto devices, and routing technologies. Experience working with CISCO and Juniper network platforms. Knowledge of MSPP and optical transport network technologies. Understanding of MPLS, time division multiplexing, and SDH/SONET.

Ability to use incident management applications to accurately document outages, degradations, escalations, and resolutions. Additional Skills and Qualifications
Experience in a tech control facility or cyber transport environment. Background in circuit actions and working with telecommunications vendors. Experience with transport architecture in large-scale networks. Familiarity with SolarWinds for network monitoring and JIRA for ticketing and workflow management. Telco Network Operations Center (NOC) experience, including inside or outside plant work.

Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Teams. Experience with alarm surveillance and fault management processes. Experience in LAN maintenance and performance management. Exposure to change management practices in a complex network environment. Work Environment
This position is on-site at a Defense Information Systems Agency facility at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

You work within a secure, operations-focused environment that supports a Department of Defense customer and requires adherence to established security and operational procedures. The role operates in a true 24x7 setting, with openness to all shifts: first shift (7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), second shift (3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), and third shift (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). You use platform-specific network management tools, incident management applications, and standard office productivity software to perform monitoring, troubleshooting, and documentation.

The facility is structured for continuous operations, with an emphasis on reliability, responsiveness, and clear communication across engineering tiers and external partners.