Senior Network Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Network Engineer
- Company: CACI International Inc
- Location: Sliven, Sliven, Bulgaria
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Network Infrastructure
- Date Posted: 2025-08-02
- Experience Level: 10+
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves supporting the USAREUR-AF mission partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria, requiring travel OCONUS. It focuses on network engineering, security, and operations, with a strong emphasis on Cisco technologies.
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A senior-level position responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining robust, secure, and high-performance network solutions that meet operational requirements and security policies.
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Collaborates with cross-functional teams to provide IT communications services and ensure the availability of critical systems.
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Requires a TS/SCI clearance and significant experience in network engineering, particularly with Cisco technologies.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
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📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a broad range of technical skills, including network design, implementation, maintenance, and security. It also involves working with various network devices and tools.
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Network Solution Development & Implementation:
- Develops, designs, and implements robust, secure, scalable, and high-performance classified and unclassified network solutions that meet operational requirements and security policies.
- Develops and implements Continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) pipelines and supports DevSecOps processes.
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Network Maintenance & Operations:
- Maintains networks to ensure 24x7 availability of critical systems on NIPR, SIPR, TS/SCI, intelligence, and communication networks, and supports Command and Control (C2) infrastructure.
- Provides troubleshooting of incidents and problems, including developing work-arounds to return services to functioning status.
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Network Asset Management:
- Plans, designs, installs, maintains, troubleshoots, resolves problems, and performs network asset management of Cisco switches and routers; Brocade switches and routers; Juniper routers, switches, and firewalls; Cisco firewalls; proxy servers; Intrusion Protection Systems (IPSs); and encryption devices.
- Configures VPN tunnels on Cisco, Brocade, and Juniper devices and configures TACLANEs.
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Security & Compliance:
- Maintains COMSEC account(s) in support of the installation of encryption keys.
- Applies measures to secure applications and hardware and ensures the network remains within ATO compliance.
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Project Support & Documentation:
- Provides systems engineering planning and support for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and migration and transition support to implement approved engineered solutions.
- Contributes to development and/or maintenance of deliverables, such as operational guidelines, user guides, and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) documentation.
- May attend and participate in strategic discussions related to emerging technologies, network and system technology insertions, and project planning.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. Relevant certifications are also crucial for this role.
Experience: Candidates should have at least 10 years of specialized experience in network engineering, with a focus on Cisco technologies.
Required Skills:
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- CompTIA Security+ (IAT Level II or greater)
- Expert level experience working with and supporting Cisco Routers and Switches in a complex enterprise environment
- TESA eligibility
Preferred Skills:
- ITIL v3 – Foundation
- Automation using Microsoft PowerShell, VBScript, or batch files
- Adaptability to changing circumstances and operational needs
- Understanding of Department of Defense Military standards
- Experience with DoD IT security requirements
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Case studies demonstrating network design, implementation, and maintenance projects.
- Examples of network security measures and compliance efforts.
- Documentation of troubleshooting incidents and problem resolution.
Technical Documentation:
- Detailed network diagrams and architecture documentation.
- Network asset management records.
- Network security policies and procedures.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The proposed salary range for this position is $90,300 - $189,600 per year.
Benefits:
- Healthcare
- Wellness
- Financial
- Retirement
- Family Support
- Continuing Education
- Time Off Benefits
Working Hours: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours.
🎯 Team & Company Context
Company Culture:
- Industry: Defense and Intelligence
- Company Size: Large (Over 10,000 employees)
- Founded: 1962
Team Structure:
- The team consists of various network engineering roles, with a focus on Cisco technologies.
- The reporting structure and hierarchy are not explicitly stated but likely follow a standard IT organization structure.
- Cross-functional collaboration with other teams, such as systems engineering and project management, is expected.
Development Methodology:
- The team follows DevSecOps processes and uses CI/CD pipelines for network solution development and implementation.
- Network maintenance and operations follow industry best practices and standards.
Company Website: CACI International Inc
📝 Enhancement Note: CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Network Engineering Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in network engineering. It involves leading projects, providing technical guidance, and making critical decisions that impact network infrastructure and security.
Reporting Structure: The senior network engineer reports to a manager or director within the IT department. They may also collaborate with other senior-level professionals, such as systems engineers and project managers.
Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the network infrastructure, security, and availability of critical systems. It requires a deep understanding of network engineering principles, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Growth: Expand expertise in network engineering, security, and emerging technologies.
- Leadership Development: Develop technical leadership skills by leading projects and mentoring junior team members.
- Architecture Decisions: Gain experience in making critical architecture decisions that impact network infrastructure and security.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a focus on supporting the USAREUR-AF mission partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria.
Office Location(s): Sliven, Bulgaria
Workspace Context:
- The workspace is likely a dedicated network operations center (NOC) or similar environment, with access to relevant network management tools and systems.
- Collaboration with cross-functional teams is expected, with regular interactions with systems engineers, project managers, and other network engineering professionals.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours. The role requires travel OCONUS up to 10% of the time.
📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is subject to change based on mission requirements and operational needs.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Technical Assessment: A thorough evaluation of network engineering skills, with a focus on Cisco technologies and network security.
- Behavioral Interview: An assessment of problem-solving skills, adaptability, and cultural fit.
- Final Evaluation: A review of the candidate's overall qualifications, technical expertise, and alignment with the role's requirements.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight network design, implementation, and maintenance projects that demonstrate expertise in Cisco technologies and network security.
- Include case studies that showcase problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to work in a mission-focused environment.
- Provide detailed documentation of network architecture, security measures, and compliance efforts.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on network engineering fundamentals, with a focus on Cisco technologies and network security.
- Familiarize yourself with network design principles, best practices, and emerging technologies.
- Prepare for troubleshooting scenarios and problem-solving exercises that assess your ability to diagnose and resolve network issues.
ATS Keywords:
- Network Engineering
- Cisco Routers
- Cisco Switches
- Brocade Switches
- Juniper Routers
- Firewalls
- VPN Configuration
- COMSEC
- DevSecOps
- CI/CD
- Troubleshooting
- Network Security
- Systems Engineering
- IT Security
- Customer Relationship Management
- Emerging Technologies
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Network Devices & Tools:
- Cisco Routers and Switches
- Brocade Switches and Routers
- Juniper Routers, Switches, and Firewalls
- Cisco Firewalls
- Proxy Servers
- Intrusion Protection Systems (IPSs)
- Encryption Devices
- TACLANEs
- VPN Configuration Tools
- Network Management Tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix)
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems (e.g., Splunk, IBM QRadar)
Network Protocols & Standards:
- TCP/IP
- HTTP/HTTPS
- FTP
- SSH
- SNMP
- BGP
- OSPF
- EIGRP
- MPLS
- VLAN
- QoS
- QOS
- IPv6
- DNS
- DHCP
- NAT
- VPN (IPSec, SSL/TLS, PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN)
- Network Security Standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, COBIT)
Network Operating Systems & Platforms:
- Cisco IOS
- Cisco NX-OS
- Juniper Junos OS
- Brocade NetIron OS
- Windows Server
- Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat)
Network Security Tools & Technologies:
- Firewall Configuration Tools (e.g., Cisco ASA, Juniper SRX, Palo Alto Networks)
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems
- Encryption Tools (e.g., GPG, OpenSSL, BitLocker)
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Certificate Management Systems (CMS)
- Network Access Control (NAC) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) systems
Network Virtualization & Automation:
- Virtual LAN (VLAN) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) technologies
- Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Virtual Network Function (VNF) technologies
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) technologies
- Automation Tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
- Containerization and Orchestration Tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
👥 Team Culture & Values
Network Engineering Values:
- Reliability: Ensuring the availability and performance of critical network systems and services.
- Security: Implementing and maintaining robust network security measures to protect against threats and unauthorized access.
- Scalability: Designing and implementing network solutions that can adapt to changing demands and growth.
- Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver network solutions that meet business objectives.
- Continuous Learning: Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with systems engineers, project managers, and other network engineering professionals to deliver network solutions that meet business objectives.
- Code Review Culture: Regularly reviewing and providing feedback on network configurations, security measures, and other technical aspects of network engineering.
- Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in knowledge-sharing activities, such as training sessions, workshops, and mentoring programs, to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Network Complexity: Designing, implementing, and maintaining complex network solutions that meet operational requirements and security policies.
- Network Security: Implementing and maintaining robust network security measures to protect against emerging threats and unauthorized access.
- Emerging Technologies: Staying up-to-date with emerging network technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
- Mission-Focused Environment: Working in a mission-focused environment, with a strong emphasis on network availability, security, and performance.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: Expanding expertise in network engineering, security, and emerging technologies through training, certifications, and hands-on experience.
- Conference Attendance: Attending industry conferences, workshops, and other professional development events to stay current with emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
- Certification Programs: Pursuing relevant certifications, such as CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, and other industry-recognized credentials, to demonstrate expertise and commitment to continuous learning.
- Technical Mentorship: Seeking mentorship opportunities from experienced network engineering professionals to gain insights, guidance, and practical advice on career development and technical skill enhancement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities in this role are subject to change based on mission requirements, operational needs, and emerging technologies.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
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Network Engineering Fundamentals:
- Can you explain the three-way handshake process in TCP/IP?
- How do you approach network congestion and Quality of Service (QoS)?
- Can you describe the difference between stateful and stateless firewalls?
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Network Architecture:
- How would you design a secure and highly available network architecture for a mission-critical application?
- Can you explain the difference between a hub-and-spoke and a mesh network topology?
- How do you approach network segmentation and isolation to enhance security?
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Problem-Solving:
- Can you walk me through your process for troubleshooting a network connectivity issue?
- How do you approach network performance optimization and capacity planning?
- Can you describe a complex network issue you've faced and how you resolved it?
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Culture: How does CACI's culture support the mission-focused environment of the USAREUR-AF mission partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria?
- Team Dynamics: How do network engineering teams at CACI collaborate with other IT teams, such as systems engineering and project management?
- Professional Development: What opportunities are available for professional development and career growth within CACI's network engineering teams?
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Network Architecture: Present a detailed network architecture diagram, explaining the design principles, security measures, and performance optimization techniques used.
- Network Security: Highlight the security measures implemented to protect against threats and unauthorized access, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and encryption.
- Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to diagnose and resolve network issues, with a focus on problem-solving skills and adaptability.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and preparation strategies are subject to change based on the specific requirements and preferences of the hiring manager and the USAREUR-AF mission partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Network Engineer position at CACI International Inc:
- Customize Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight network engineering projects that demonstrate your expertise in Cisco technologies, network security, and problem-solving skills. Include case studies that showcase your ability to work in a mission-focused environment.
- Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience, certifications, and technical skills, with a focus on network engineering, Cisco technologies, and network security. Include keywords and phrases relevant to the role, such as "Cisco Routers," "Cisco Switches," "Brocade Switches," "Juniper Routers," "Firewalls," "VPN Configuration," "COMSEC," "DevSecOps," "CI/CD," "Troubleshooting," "Network Security," "Systems Engineering," "IT Security," "Customer Relationship Management," and "Emerging Technologies."
- Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on network engineering fundamentals, with a focus on Cisco technologies and network security. Familiarize yourself with network design principles, best practices, and emerging technologies. Prepare for troubleshooting scenarios and problem-solving exercises that assess your ability to diagnose and resolve network issues.
- Research CACI and the USAREUR-AF Mission Partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria: Learn about CACI's culture, values, and mission-focused environment. Understand the specific requirements and preferences of the USAREUR-AF mission partner ARS in Sliven, Bulgaria, to ensure a strong fit with the role and the organization.
📝 Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must hold a TS/SCI clearance and have significant experience in network engineering, particularly with Cisco technologies. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, along with certifications like CCNP and CompTIA Security+.