Principal Network Engineer

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Job Summary
JCS Solutions is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead the engineering, deployment, modernization, and sustainment of a large-scale enterprise wireless network supporting a Department of Defense environment. This role serves as a technical leader responsible for wireless architecture, RF engineering, secure network access, performance optimization, troubleshooting, and operational transition activities.
The successful candidate will provide expertise across Aruba wireless technologies, Aruba Central On-Premises, Aruba ClearPass, Cisco ISE integration, certificate-based authentication, enterprise wireless security, and large-scale wireless deployments. The engineer will work closely with network, cybersecurity, identity management, and operations teams to deliver highly secure, reliable, and scalable wireless services.
This position requires strong technical leadership, hands-on engineering capabilities, and the ability to support mission-critical enterprise networking environments while communicating effectively with technical teams, program leadership, and government stakeholders.

Location: Ft. Meade, MD
Clearance: Secret
Salary: $104,000.00 - $149,000.00

What’s in it for you:

• Join a premier technology firm specializing in innovative solutions.
• Be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work culture.
• Enjoy tremendous growth potential in a high-performing team environment.
• A robust benefits package:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Short-and-long term disability
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • 401k retirement plan with employer match
  • Annual Professional Development Reimbursement Program
  • And more!

What you will do:
Wireless Architecture and Deployment

• Design, deploy, configure, and optimize enterprise Aruba wireless infrastructure, including access points, gateways, controllers, management platforms, redundancy solutions, and lifecycle upgrades.
• Engineer and sustain Aruba Central On-Premises and Aruba AOS 10 environments, including provisioning workflows, high availability configurations, and enterprise configuration standards.
• Lead RF design efforts, site surveys, channel planning, power optimization, capacity analysis, roaming optimization, and wireless quality-of-service initiatives supporting mission-critical applications.
• Support enterprise wireless modernization efforts across geographically distributed locations.

Network Access Control and Security

• Integrate Aruba ClearPass and Cisco ISE using 802.1X/EAP-TLS, RADIUS, certificate-based authentication, endpoint profiling, and Comply-to-Connect policies.
• Engineer wireless security controls including WPA3, network segmentation, WIDS/WIPS, secure guest access, and approved cryptographic configurations.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to support DoD security controls, STIG compliance, vulnerability remediation, testing, and accreditation activities.
• Integration, Troubleshooting, and Leadership
• Integrate wireless services with wired switching, routing, VLANs, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, identity systems, and enterprise monitoring platforms.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts involving RF performance, wireless client connectivity, roaming issues, authentication failures, certificate services, and network performance degradation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Review engineering designs, implementation plans, technical risks, and operational impacts.
• Plan and execute engineering changes, technology upgrades, testing activities, deployment waves, and operational handoffs.
• Communicate technical recommendations and risks to program leadership and government stakeholders.

Documentation

• Develop and maintain wireless architecture documentation.
• Create RF designs, implementation plans, test plans, site survey reports, troubleshooting guides, standard operating procedures, security designs, and transition documentation.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation and operational baselines.
  

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience or Master's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Active DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification.
• Significant hands-on experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting enterprise wireless networks across multiple locations.
• Strong experience with Aruba wireless technologies, including Aruba access points, gateways/controllers, Aruba Central, and related management platforms.
• Strong knowledge of 802.11 wireless networking and RF engineering principles.
• Experience with wireless coverage analysis, interference mitigation, capacity planning, roaming optimization, and performance troubleshooting.
• Experience implementing enterprise wireless authentication and access control solutions.
• Experience with 802.1X, RADIUS, certificate-based authentication, and Aruba ClearPass or comparable network access control solutions.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, switching, firewalls, and network segmentation.
• Experience leading technical implementations and deployment activities.
• Experience troubleshooting complex enterprise networking issues.
• Experience developing engineering documentation and technical operational procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams, customers, and government stakeholders.

How you will wow us:

• Aruba Professional or Aruba Expert certifications.
• Relevant Cisco networking certifications.
• Relevant cybersecurity certifications.
• Experience with Aruba AOS 10 environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale Aruba Central On-Premises deployments.
• Experience supporting distributed Aruba ClearPass clusters.
• Experience implementing FIPS-compliant configurations.
• Experience supporting Cisco ISE coexistence and migration efforts.
• Experience supporting phased Comply-to-Connect implementations.
• Experience with Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 technologies.
• Experience conducting high-density RF surveys.
• Experience optimizing wireless voice roaming performance.
• Experience using wireless survey tools such as Ekahau or AirMagnet.
• Experience implementing and managing WIDS/WIPS capabilities.
• Experience supporting guest wireless access separation and WPA3 security.
• Experience supporting DoD STIG and RMF compliance requirements.
• Experience working with REST APIs, SNMPv3, wireless telemetry, and enterprise monitoring platforms.
• Experience using Python, Ansible, or similar automation platforms.
• Experience supporting large-scale DoD, federal, or classified network environments.

JCS Solutions (JCS) is a premier technology firm providing innovative solutions and high-quality services in defense, national security, and civilian sectors. JCS offers enterprise-wide solutions including cloud computing, software development, cybersecurity, digital modernization, and management consulting for the federal government. At JCS, we elevate our customers’ mission through the application of technology and professional services. Our commitment to investing in our workforce drives innovation and progress for our clients, employees, and communities.

JCS is both a Great Place to Work and a Top Places to Work certified company.

Our employees embody our core values, and we are looking for others who do too!

• Customer Experience: Strive for excellence and delight our clients
• Innovation: Embrace creative thinking to enable continual growth and powerful solutions
• Accountability: Take ownership of and pride in our actions and service delivery
• Inspire: Be inspired to be your best self and have fun in the process
• Integrity: Do the right thing, the right way, every time!
• Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to our care.

At JCS Solutions, compensation is based on a number of factors such as location, qualifications, and applicable contract terms. The general salary range for this position is as follows: $104,000.00 - $149,000.00

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

NOTICE: Please be aware that all JCS Solutions communications related to job interviews and offers from our recruiting team will only come from @JCSSolutions.com. We want to emphasize that we do not conduct any interviews over Discord, Slack, Skype, Zoom, or any chat app.