We are looking for a Subject Matter Expert – Intermediate to join our team in support of a DoD customer in Alexandria, VA. The SME will serve as a technical expert on executive-level project teams providing technical direction, interpretation, and alternatives. The individual in this role will provide support, analysis and research into exceptionally complex problems, and processes relating to the subject matter, with expertise in a particular area of Information Technology (e.g., Information Systems Architecture, Telecommunications Systems Design, Architecture, Implementation, Information Systems Integration, Software Development Methodologies, Security Engineering, Communications and Network Systems Management).

Responsibilities Include:

• Evaluate new and emerging technologies through market research and prototyping to support customers business objectives.
• Assess performance of existing network/ systems and proposed changes, including post-deployment analysis to ensure systems meet design specifications and operational expectations.
• Develop Performance Management Plans (PMPs) and produce Performance Analysis Reports (PARs) documenting benchmarking methodologies, test conditions, procedures, and results.
• Provide actionable recommendations to resolve performance issues, enhance system capabilities, and proactively identify risks within production network equipment.
• Lead requirements development efforts by gathering, documenting, reviewing, consolidating, and refining functional and technical requirements in coordination with stakeholders.
• Facilitate and lead requirements review sessions and meetings to define networking requirements for assigned projects, including analysis of collected data.
• Develop and maintain Requirement Traceability Matrices (RTMs) to ensure alignment of requirements throughout the design, build, and test phases of the delivery lifecycle.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend new and emerging technologies for systems and equipment in compliance with standards, policies, and guidelines.
• Plan, conduct, and document laboratory assessments of hardware and software supporting classified and unclassified services to ensure interoperability and connectivity among stakeholders.
• Provide input to the development of Technology Assessment Plans (TAPs)—including scope, objectives, configurations, technical approach, schedules, roles, and independent cost estimates—and produce After Action Reports (AARs) documenting methodologies, results, and recommendations.
• Support technology refresh and upgrade initiatives by identifying emerging network capabilities, establishing product evaluation and selection criteria, and developing system evaluation methods and procedures.
• Produce formal recommendations and executive briefings outlining findings, strategy, and capability roadmaps, while coordinating overall technology planning and tracking implementation activities.
• Analyze industry and Government data on technology changes impacting the DISN and commercial telecommunications sector and provide preliminary design and implementation guidance to support strategic planning and decision-making. Areas include wireless technologies, IPv6 transition (NIPRNet/SIPRNet), NetOps and cyber defense (JTF-GNO), VoIP/DSN, VTC and streaming video, core system refreshes, and emerging standards aligned with DoD mandates.
• Provide SME engineering services to design, configure, test, implement, and sustain STIG-compliant network and security architectures, including NAC (802.1x), reverse proxy and load balancing, web filtering, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, VPN, wireless/IDS, VDI support, VoIP/VTC/streaming, Check Point firewalls and MDM, NMS tool suites, MPLS architecture, SATCOM support, and DR/COOP planning; perform Tier IV troubleshooting and produce required technical documentation (ECRs, ITRs, NSOs, AARs, test plans/reports, and as-built diagrams).
• Provide Cloud-certified SME engineering support for on-premises to Cloud migrations, coordinating with CSPs (e.g., Azure, AWS, Oracle, Google Cloud, MilCloud2) and facilitating integration with Secure Cloud Computing Architecture (SCCA) BCAP in multi-cloud environments.
• Develop and maintain Cloud migration documentation to ensure accurate knowledge management and configuration records.
• Engineer, implement, and sustain the Enterprise F5 Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) supporting DoD DMZ, data center, and Cloud-hosted applications, including Tier 3 support and configuration of GTM (DNS), LTM, and APM modules in compliance with DISA STIGs and industry best practices.
• Implement F5 break-and-inspect capabilities to meet DISA Cloud security requirements and coordinate with CSPs and developers to establish Layer 7 health monitoring.
• Thinks independently and demonstrates exceptional written and oral communications skills.
• Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Guides the successful completion of major programs and may function in a project leadership role.
• Develops technical solutions to complex problems that require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity. Work is performed without appreciable direction.
• Exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignment.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum Requirement:
  • 10 years of experience in a relevant field, (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, or Information Systems/Technology).
• Certification Requirements:
  • DoD Approved 8570 Baseline Certification:
    • Category IAT Level III (CCNP Security, CASP+ CE, CISSP, CISA, GCED, GCIH).
  • Computing Environment Certifications:
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional-Enterprise (CCNP-E) is required.
    • Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) is required in addition to the Cisco certification.
• Clearance Requirement:
  • This position requires a SECRET with a Tier 5 investigation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)
• AWS Cloud Practitioner
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• Comp TIA Cloud+
• Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert -Enterprise Infrastructure (CCIE-EI).

Compensation: $120,000+