Network Engineer Lead

Description At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Your most important work is ahead.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading! Leidos is looking to fill a Network Engineer Lead position to support the National Media Exploitation Center (NMEC). The Network Engineer supports the planning, coordination, and execution of major computer network initiatives.

This is a 100% on-site position. All work must be performed at the customer site in Bethesda at the Intelligence Community Campus. Primary Responsibilities: • Design, implement, and maintain highly available, scalable, and secure data center and enterprise network architectures, including spine-leaf topologies, virtualized environments, and fabric networks.

• Plan, integrate, and sustain LAN/WAN infrastructure with seamless connectivity between on-premises systems, cloud environments, and external mission networks. • Configure and maintain Cisco ACI, routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers in support of mission-critical operations. • Manage connectivity and performance across servers, storage, hypervisors, and data center interconnects to ensure optimal network throughput and reliability.
• Utilize network monitoring and ITSM tools such as ServiceNow, SolarWinds, NetBox, and PRTG to track network health, availability, and incident resolution metrics. • Lead troubleshooting and incident resolution for complex network and data center issues, including root cause analysis and recovery planning. • Develop and execute contingency and continuity plans to ensure network resilience and minimal downtime during outages or maintenance events.
• Oversee network cabling standards, patch management, and structured wiring practices to support consistent data center operations. • Implement network segmentation, performance tuning, and latency optimization strategies across physical and virtual environments. • Coordinate closely with IT, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Application teams to support cross-functional projects and ensure network compliance with security and mission requirements.
• Manage and assign work through ServiceNow ITSM, ensuring incidents and change requests are properly documented and resolved within SLA. • Provide status reports, incident summaries, and performance metrics to program and executive leadership. • Lead or support network modernization and data center consolidation initiatives, ensuring projects meet technical, budgetary, and schedule requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging network technologies that improve data center efficiency, scalability, and cybersecurity posture. • Supervise and mentor network engineers and technicians, providing technical leadership and professional development. • Assist leadership with planning schedules and ensure proper personnel coverage for support activities.
• Responsible for evaluating resumes for vacancies and serving as a key component during candidate interviews. • Manage work performance for subordinates, provide periodic feedback, and document performance against employee's goals and corporate guidelines. • Review and approve timesheets for assigned subordinates in compliance with corporate standards.
• Maintain flexibility to provide after-hours or on-call support in the event of critical outages Basic Qualifications: • Proven experience designing, implementing, and maintaining data center network architectures with a focus on scalability, redundancy, and security. • Hands-on experience with Cisco ACI, Nexus, and Catalyst platforms, including configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. • Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, OSPF, BGP, VLANs, HSRP, SNMP, and multicast protocols.
• Proficiency with network monitoring and ITSM tools such as ServiceNow, SolarWinds, and NetBox. • In-depth knowledge of network security principles, including firewall rules, ACLs, VPNs, and secure remote access. • Familiarity with network asset lifecycle management, capacity planning, and hardware procurement processes.
• Experience leading teams and managing performance under shifting operational priorities. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief senior leadership and government stakeholders. • Candidate must meet DoD 8570.11- IAT Level II certification requirements (Security+ CE, CCNA Security, GSEC, or SSCP) with a valid Computing Environment (CE) certification.

Education: • Requires a bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Clearance: • Due to the nature of the government contracts we support, US Citizenship is required. • TS/SCI with Poly required for Position or TS/SCI and willingness to get a poly.

Preferred Qualifications: • Active Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification • CCNP or CCIE certification At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.” If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.

Original Posting:October 2, 2025 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range:Pay Range $112,450.00 - $203,275.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary.

Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. About Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025.

For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits. Securing Your Data Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name.

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.