Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the organization's enterprise network infrastructure. This role ensures high availability, performance, and security of network systems across data centers, cloud environments, and remote offices. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead network projects and mentor junior engineers.

Join us at our new Bethesda, Maryland headquarters! This modern space fosters our collaborative culture with a mix of open areas for teamwork and private offices for focused work. This position will be on-site 5 days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

Network Design & Architecture

Design scalable and secure network solutions for LAN, WAN, WLAN, cloud environments, and remote access.Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve network performance and reliability.Implementation & MaintenanceConfigure and maintain routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and wireless access points.Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues using advanced diagnostic tools.

Security & Compliance

Implement network security protocols and ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISO, NIST, HIPAA).Manage firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control policies.

Project Management

Lead network infrastructure projects including upgrades, migrations, and expansions.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives.

Documentation & Reporting

Maintain detailed documentation of network configurations, diagrams, and procedures.Provide regular reports on network health, performance metrics, and incident resolution.

Mentorship & Support

Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and support staff.Serve as an escalation point for complex network issues.

Qualifications:

10+ years of experience in network engineering or infrastructure roles.Professional certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, Fortinet NSE, or equivalent.Expertise in Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or similar technologies.Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, BGP, VXLAN, OSPF, MPLS, VLANs, and VPNs.Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and SD-WAN solutions.Familiarity with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG, Wireshark, Whatsup Gold).Demonstrated communication, documentation, and leadership skills  .

Preferred Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (Master’s preferred). Experience with automation and scripting (Python, Ansible).Experience with Web Application Firewalls.Knowledge of VoIP, QoS, and unified communications.Understanding of Zero Trust architecture and network segmentation.
 

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan401(k) Retirement PlanPaid Parental LeaveVacation Leave (20 days per year)Sick Leave (9 days per year)Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)Professional DevelopmentHealth AdvocateEmployee Assistance ProgramTravel Accident InsuranceMedical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceShort Term Disability InsuranceLong Term Disability InsuranceLife and AD&D InsuranceCritical Illness InsuranceSupplemental Life InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountHealth Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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