Network Engineer

Job Title: Network Engineer (Mid-Level) Location: Middle River, MD (Hybrid) Employment Type: Full-Time (Hybrid). 3 days per week on-site, plus on-site presence for projects, experimentation, and testing events. Includes occasional outdoor work in varying terrain and weather, and travel 2–3 times per year for up to two weeks. Salary:  $105,000 - $130,000 DOE + Bonus Position Overview: MCFA is partnering with a defense research organization and leading their search for a Robotics Engineer to support intelligent robotics research. You’ll focus on software and hardware integration for proof-of-concept demonstrations and performance evaluation of autonomous behaviors on individual robots and teams of ground and aerial platforms.  Key Responsibilities: - Design, implement, and maintain wired and wireless network infrastructure at the R2C2 site, including Wi-Fi, wired LAN, point-to-point radios, tactical mesh radios, and 5G cellular networks - Administer Linux-based network services, servers, and robotic platforms in lab and field environments (Ubuntu and/or RHEL derivatives) - Gather requirements from researchers, design practical network solutions, and present recommendations to colleagues and leadership - Partner with robotics researchers to integrate networks for autonomous platform operation, communications, telemetry, and field experimentation - Support high-bandwidth data transfer using command-line tools, live analytics, and modeling systems - Configure, troubleshoot, and support Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, or equivalent network equipment - Implement and maintain network monitoring with SNMP, NetFlow, syslog, and related tools for proactive troubleshooting and performance analysis - Develop and maintain SOPs, operating policies, user guides, network architecture diagrams, and performance reports Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Systems Administration, Network Engineering, or a related technical field - 3–5 years of network engineering and/or systems administration experience - U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. SECRET clearance, or the ability to obtain one - DoD 8140-aligned certification (minimum CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent; legacy DoD 8570 IAT II acceptable), or the ability to obtain one within 3 months of start - Linux+ or RHCSA (or equivalent), or the ability to obtain one within 3 months of start - Hands-on Linux system administration (Ubuntu and/or RHEL), including shell scripting, command-line tools, and troubleshooting - Solid networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, VPNs, segmentation, traffic analysis, performance monitoring, and common protocols including multicast/broadcast - Proficiency with troubleshooting tools (ping, traceroute, SSH, SCP, tcpdump, Wireshark) and network device CLI (Cisco IOS, Juniper JUNOS, or equivalent) - Working understanding of network security standards (STIGs, CIS benchmarks, firmware and patch management) Bonus Points: - Cisco CCNA certification or Cisco training - Configuration management and automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef) - Experience supporting autonomous vehicles, robotic platforms, or field experimentation environments - Tactical, mesh radio, or 5G network experience - Strong communication, presentation, and customer-service skills Total Rewards: - Competitive base salary - Hybrid schedule - Support for required professional certifications - Hands-on work with fielded tactical and research networks at one of the nation’s premier DoD research sites About MCFA: MCFA is a trusted talent acquisition and advisory firm supporting construction, real estate, infrastructure, and public sector clients nationwide. We specialize in helping our partners attract high-impact talent to achieve operational excellence and long-term growth.