Network Engineer

About this role

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.