Network Engineer II

Piper Companies is seeking a Network Engineer Tier 2 to support a mission-critical contract with the federal government. The Network Engineer II will design, maintain, and optimize secure, scalable network systems while collaborating across teams to ensure performance and reliability.

Responsibilities of the Network Engineer Tier 2 include:

• Install, configure, maintain, and optimize LAN/WAN infrastructure including routers, switches, VPN appliances, load balancers, and security devices
• Apply timely security patches to all network infrastructure devices
• Monitor and analyze network performance using industry-standard tools; troubleshoot and optimize as needed
• Maintain accurate inventory of network assets and manage lifecycle tracking
• Provide technical feedback and design recommendations during engineering meetings
• Manage data center network infrastructure and collaborate on storage and virtualization systems
• Stay current on emerging technologies and best practices in networking and security
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues affecting voice, video, and data services
• Demonstrate expertise in routing, switching, and firewall configuration for secure LAN/WAN environments
• Support Linux/Unix and Windows OS integration with network services
• Submit detailed reports on network performance, incidents, and upgrades

Qualifications for the Network Engineer Tier 2 include:

• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Cisco Router and Switch configuration (IOS/NX-OS)
  • Palo Alto NextGen Firewall and VPNs
  • General Dynamics Taclanes and/or GEMOne
  • F5 Load Balancers (GTM/Big DNS)
• Proficiency with Windows and Unix/Linux systems, network security, traffic analysis, incident response, and systems hardening
• Deep understanding of Layer 2/3 protocols and encryption/communication standards (e.g., TLS/SSL, IPsec, SSH, BGP, VLAN, LLDP, LACP, ARP, 802.1x, DNS, AES, NTP)
• Experience in network design, troubleshooting, and performance tuning
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines

Compensation for the Network Engineer Tier 2 includes:

Compensation: $130,000 – $145,000/year (based on experience and qualifications)

Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, and federal holidays

This job opens for applications on July 30, 2025. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Keywords: Cisco Nexus, Cisco IOS, Cisco NX-OS, Meraki SD-WAN, Cisco Secure Connect, SASE, ZTNA, SD-WAN, Firewalls, Network Engineering, Cisco ISE, WiFi 7, Network Automation, Tier 3 Support, ACI, Cloud Security, Palo Alto Firewalls, VPN Configuration, F5 Load Balancer, GTM, Big DNS, GEMOne, General Dynamics Taclanes, LAN, WAN, Network Infrastructure, Network Monitoring, Network Performance, Network Troubleshooting, BGP, OSPF, VLAN, LLDP, LACP, ARP, 802.1x, DNS, IPsec, TLS, SSL, SSH, AES, NTP, Linux, Unix, Windows Server, System Integration, Data Center Networking, Disaster Recovery, Incident Response, Packet Analysis, Network Security, Asset Management, Configuration Management, CI/CD, Infrastructure Optimization