Lead Network Engineer
Location: Ft. Meade, MD
Work Type: Full Time
Clearance: Secret
Position Summary: GridIron IT is seeking a Principal Network Engineer - Wireless to lead engineering, deployment, and modernization of a large-scale, geographically distributed enterprise wireless network supporting a Department of Defense environment. The engineer will provide technical leadership for Aruba wireless architecture, RF performance, secure network access, integration, troubleshooting, and transition to operations.
The environment includes Aruba AOS 10, Aruba Central On-Premises, distributed Aruba ClearPass, Cisco ISE coexistence, certificate-based 802.1X authentication, Comply-to-Connect enforcement, wireless intrusion detection and prevention, and enterprise monitoring. The engineer will collaborate with network, identity, cybersecurity, and operations teams to deliver secure, reliable wireless services at scale.
Primary Responsibilities:
Wireless Architecture and Deployment
•
Design, deploy, configure, and optimize enterprise Aruba wireless infrastructure, including access points, gateways, management platforms, redundancy, and lifecycle upgrades.
•
Engineer and sustain Aruba Central On-Premises and AOS 10 configurations, provisioning workflows, high availability, and enterprise configuration standards.
•
Lead RF design, site surveys, channel and power planning, capacity analysis, roaming optimization, and wireless QoS for voice and mission-critical applications.
Network Access Control and Security
•
Integrate Aruba ClearPass and Cisco ISE with 802.1X/EAP-TLS, RADIUS, certificate-based authentication, endpoint profiling, and Comply-to-Connect policies.
•
Engineer wireless security controls, including network segmentation, WPA3, WIDS/WIPS, secure guest access, and approved cryptographic configurations.
•
Coordinate with cybersecurity teams on applicable DoD security controls, STIGs, vulnerability remediation, testing, and accreditation evidence.
Integration, Troubleshooting, and Leadership
•
Integrate wireless services with wired switching, VLANs, routing, DNS/DHCP, firewalls, identity systems, and enterprise monitoring platforms.
•
Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause analysis involving RF, client connectivity, roaming, authentication, certificates, and network performance.
•
Provide technical direction and mentoring to engineering teams; review designs and implementation plans and communicate technical risks and recommendations to program and government stakeholders.
•
Plan and execute engineering changes, upgrades, testing, deployment waves, and operational handoffs with validation and rollback procedures.
Documentation Responsibilities
•
Develop and maintain wireless architecture and RF designs, configuration baselines, access-control and security designs, implementation and test plans, site-survey results, troubleshooting guides, standard operating procedures, and as-built/transition documentation.
Clearance and Certification Requirements
•
Active DoD Secret clearance; ability to obtain additional access if required by the assigned environment.
•
Must meet applicable DoD cybersecurity workforce qualification requirements for the assigned position.
•
IAT Level II certification required.
Key Success Factors
The successful engineer combines hands-on Aruba and RF expertise with the ability to lead complex deployments, isolate problems across wireless, wired, and identity layers, and deliver a secure, reliable service that operations teams can sustain.
Required Qualifications
•
Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree with 10+ years. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
•
Significant hands-on experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting enterprise wireless networks across multiple sites.
•
Strong experience with Aruba wireless platforms and management, including access points, gateways/controllers, and Aruba Central or comparable enterprise management tools.
•
Strong knowledge of 802.11 and RF engineering, including coverage, interference, capacity, roaming, and wireless performance troubleshooting.
•
Experience with enterprise wireless authentication and access control, including 802.1X, RADIUS, certificates, and Aruba ClearPass or comparable NAC platforms.
•
Working knowledge of wired network dependencies, including TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, switching, firewalls, and network segmentation.
•
Experience leading technical implementation activities, troubleshooting complex issues, and producing engineering and operational documentation.
•
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate across technical teams and customer stakeholders.
Desired Qualifications
•
Aruba professional or expert certifications; relevant Cisco or security certifications.
•
Experience with AOS 10 and clustered Aruba Central On-Premises deployments at large enterprise scale.
•
Experience with distributed ClearPass clusters, FIPS configurations, Cisco ISE coexistence, and phased Comply-to-Connect rollout.
•
Experience with Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, high-density RF surveys, voice roaming optimization, and tools such as Ekahau or AirMagnet.
•
Experience with WIDS/WIPS, guest wireless separation, WPA3, and DoD STIG/RMF processes.
•
Experience with REST APIs, SNMPv3, enterprise monitoring, Python/Ansible automation, or wireless telemetry integration.
•
Experience supporting large-scale DoD or classified network environments.
Clearance: Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $110,000-$155,000 (Compensation is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, skills, education, certifications, seniority, and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.)
Benefits: Gridiron offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), disability & ADD insurance, life and pet insurance to eligible employees. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 30 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Gridiron’s benefits programs.
Gridiron IT Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or disability status.
Gridiron IT is a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area that supports our clients' missions throughout the United States. Gridiron IT specializes in providing comprehensive IT services tailored to meet the needs of federal agencies. Our capabilities include IT Infrastructure & Cloud Services, Cyber Security, Software Integration & Development, Data Solution & AI, and Enterprise Applications. These capabilities are backed by Gridiron IT's experienced workforce and our commitment to ensuring we meet and exceed our clients' expectations.