Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking a Network Engineer with a TS/SCI + CI Poly clearance to join one of our top projects in McLean, VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team provides Analytic Software Development, Data Engineering, and Cloud Migration services, as well as interagency communication and data-sharing solutions, as part of an enterprise program that spans two major Intelligence Community customers.  This project regularly has new openings for Software Engineers, Cloud Infrastructure Experts, DevOps Engineers, Data Engineers, SharePoint Developers and Administrators, ServiceNow Developers, and various other types of IT professionals.

Work on this program takes place in Herndon, McLean, and Bethesda (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI + Polygraph clearance (acceptable to this customer).

THE ROLE

The DarkStar Group is looking for a Network Engineer to join our Team!  You will support the customer's data communications network; maintain the network hardware and software as well as monitor the network to ensure availability to all system users; and perform the necessary maintenance to support network availability.  You will design and create routing designs to extend customer networks.  You will need to be proficient in Cisco network solutions, as well as software defined networks and firewalls from AWS, Google, and Microsoft. The ideal candidate should be able to provide troubleshooting and scripting examples and experiences and discuss previous routing design best practices, including the tools you used to create the designs.  Also, bring your experience with system accreditation processes and procedures to the discussion, and plan to share examples of previous implementations and how they have led to successful system accreditations. The purpose of this program, is to provide dev ops, applied technology investigations, operations and maintenance and infrastructure lifecycle support services across the ODNI’s enterprise. Our support in NOVA and Bethesda includes software engineering/development, O&M, technology investigations, customer advocacy, business process engineering, and system design. 

Responsibilities:

• Deploy, configure, maintain and monitor all active network equipment (Cisco routers, switches, firewalls) ensuring seamless network operations
• Responsible for troubleshooting and resolving network issues, implementing security measures and proactively optimizing network performance
• Monitor and resolve network related service tickets
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and network design documentation
• Perform network upgrades to maintain system integrity and overall availability
• Support and administer third-party applications
• Ensure security and efficiency of IT infrastructure following industry standards
• Experience conducting root cause analysis – network failures  / implementing corrective actions
• Quickly Diagnose / Resolve connectivity issues – both cloud and on-premise environments
• Maintain accurate network documentation – Diagrams / Configurations / Policies
• Prepare reports -- Network Performance / Utilization / Incidents
• Experience setting up alerts / monitoring systems for network health and performance
• Understand how to leverage automation – configuration management / network deployments
• Analyze / Troubleshoot network incidents -- use monitoring tools to identify / resolve issues

Required Skills

• 5+ Years of experience
• Experience working with and troubleshooting Cisco and/or Juniper network vendor platforms
• Knowledge of and experience with networking technology and protocols, TCP/IP, Routing (static, OSPF, BGP, and policy-based), Firewalls (zone based polices and ACLs), SSH, VPNs
• Knowledge of network management platforms such as Solarwinds
• Experience with network device hardening in accordance with industry best practices
• Knowledge of different operating systems (Microsoft, Unix, Linux, etc.)
• Attention to detail, problem solving mindset, critical thinking and teamworking skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to troubleshoot complex network issues
• Scripting skills for automating routine network tasks
• Have familiarity with network automation tools (Ansible / Terraform)
• Network monitoring and management tools (e.g., Dynatrace, PRTG, Nagios, Wireshark, as examples
• Working knowledge  – load balancers / proxy servers
• Working knowledge – hybrid cloud infrastructures

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Understand network segmentation / best practices for securing network environments
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and networking trends
• Cisco CCNP or Juniper JCNIP certifications or skill level at minimum (Senior / Expert)
• Familiarity with cloud hosting solutions such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud
• VMWare experience
• CompTIA Network+, CCNP, CCNA certifications

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.