IT036 Network Engineer

ADNET is looking for a full-time Network Engineer to support the High-End Computer Networking (HECN) task under NASA’s Space and Earth Science Data Analysis (SESDA) contract. The HECN team operates high-performance networking solutions for science at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).  The work location will be at NASA GSFC in Greenbelt, MD, and both remote and on-site work at the facility are required.

The focus of this position is on Network support (both hardware and software with an emphasis on hardware), including cabling, racking, installing, and configuring a wide range of network equipment, including but not limited to routers, switches, firewalls, etc. Candidates will be expected to support the operational network through maintenance, troubleshooting, and, if possible, hardware repair.

This is an ideal position in which to learn about all aspects of networking.  Work with state-of-the-art hardware and software, while supporting a wide range of science at NASA. The position will work alongside a group of highly experienced network engineers to learn a broad set of networking skills. We are seeking candidates who are well organized, reliable, can take ownership of assigned tasks, and meet deadlines. Applicants must be willing to learn and adapt to quickly changing requirements, have great communication skills, interact with customers, and work both independently and as a part of a team. We have an exceptionally supportive environment that is great for learning new skills and provides an excellent career path with increasing responsibilities.

Duties of the position include:

  • Work closely with the existing HECN members to carry out hands-on networking and server hardware tasks.
  • Neatly maintain computer room racks, network and computer hardware, and all associated cabling.  Monitor rack power utilization, including monitoring of power usage at rack PDUs.  Maintain accurate documentation of equipment, including rack elevation diagrams and network connection diagrams. 
  • Work with GSFC cable plant engineers to implement, document, and maintain fiber and copper connections between the various network elements, including troubleshooting and correcting any problems that arise utilizing diagnostic equipment such as OTDRs and optical power meters.
  • Proactively monitor network hardware and systems including UPS devices, rack PDUs, and computer room environment, using SNMP, MRTG, PRTG, and sFlow.
  • Assist with evaluation and installation of potential new network hardware and computer room infrastructure upgrades.
  • Configuring and troubleshooting network devices (end-to-end, including fiber connections) to enhance reliability, performance and security, including routers, switches, firewalls, and various other network infrastructure components.
  • Installing, configuring, and maintaining server hardware and Linux operating systems, including associated applications.
  • Provide quality and timely network user support.
  • Deploying critical patches and upgrades to ensure that operating systems and software applications are compliant with Information Technology (IT) security requirements.
  • Enforcing computer and network access controls consistent with NASA IT security policies.
  • Performing and managing computer system backups.
  • Infrequent travel may be required to conferences, meetings, and training facilities.
  • On-site facility support work as required, including possibly outside of normal working hours.

Required Experience:

  • Three or more years of hands-on network engineering experience or equivalent. 
  • Experience with maintaining computer room infrastructure, including racks, network and computer hardware, and all associated cabling, and associated power system components such as PDUs, UPSes, and Source Transfer Switches.
  • Experience with network hardware such as switches, routers, and firewalls, including their installation and initial setup.
  • Experience with copper and fiber optic cabling and transceivers.
  • Experience troubleshooting system and networking problems, both at the hardware and software levels.
  • Experience with responding to customer issues in a timely, friendly, and professional manner.
  • Experience with computer systems and their components such as motherboards, CPUs, memory, NICs, raid controllers, and disk drives.
  • Experience with the Linux operating system, including the installation and maintenance of Linux OSes.
  • A flexible/adaptive mindset with a willingness to learn, a team-oriented approach, and great customer service skills.
  • US Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Investigation through NASA.

Desirable Experience:

  • Familiarity with diagnostic equipment such as OTDRs and optical power meters.
  • Familiarity with monitoring of network hardware and systems using open-source tools and applications such as SNMP, MRTG, PRTG, and sFlow.
  • Familiarity with configuring Linux firewalls, including the use of iptables and nftables.
  • Familiarity with Cisco ISE NAC appliance (installation, upgrades, and use).
  • Familiarity with a multi-vendor network environment, including Juniper, Dell, Arista, and Edgecore, Cumulus, and SONiC NOSes.
  • Familiarity with Git, Puppet, Ansible.
  • Familiarity or awareness of NASA IT environments, Federal IT requirements and guidelines (e.g. FISMA, NIST).

Team ADNET brings over 30+ years of experience to information systems and professional services for the federal government. With a history of expertise in software development, computer network design, IT security, mission operations support, and educational outreach, Team ADNET is deeply embedded in the Space and Earth Science at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.

ADNET Systems, Inc. is working with Goddard Space Flight Center to fulfill NASA’s vision for space exploration, and working with the Science and Exploration Directorate to fulfill its many missions.

ADNET Systems, Inc. is an employee-centric company, committed to providing premier benefits that support our employees and their families. With affordable medical and dental plans coupled with leading disability and life insurance options, ADNET offers our employees the benefits most sought after by today’s professional candidate. Furthermore, our benefits package features the extras that distinguish us from other small businesses, ensuring our high employee retention that our customers appreciate.

Some features of our compensation plans and environment perks include:

  • Annual Leave/Sick Leave
  • Military and Family Emergency Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Performance Bonuses
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Direct Deposit Payroll
  • 401K Plan with Company Matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement 
  • Swag bags