Network Administrator

Network Administrator
Colorado Springs, CO
Active Top Secret/SCI
Compensation Range: $120,000 - $155,000

Company Overview:
Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense.

Job Responsibilities:

• Network Implementation & Support
• Configure and maintain Cisco and Juniper network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Manage port security, ACL rules, and firewall policies to ensure secure network access.
• Assist in implementing and verifying interior and exterior gateway dynamic routing protocols as needed

Troubleshooting & Connectivity

Diagnose and resolve network issues (e.g., connectivity, latency, and performance) across hub-and-spoke topologies.

Monitor device health, interface status, and bandwidth utilization; escalate complex issues to Tier 3 (Network Engineer) as needed.

Assist remote site administrators in resolving local network issues and coordinating with central resources.

Security & Compliance

Maintain STIG and DoD security requirements across all network devices (firewalls, routers, switches).

Deploy TACLANE devices and configurations to ensure secure communications between sites.

Implement security controls in line with DoD 8140 standards, including patching and firmware updates.

Collaboration & Coordination

Work closely with senior network and systems administrators to execute network projects and deployments.

Collaborate with systems administrators to ensure end-to-end connectivity and performance for server and client environments.

Provide Tier 1/2 support and guidance to remote network administrators at various sites.

Virtual Networking & Automation

Assist with configuration and management of virtual networking solutions such as OpenStack Neutron, VMware NSX, or similar platforms.

Develop scripts or workflows (e.g., Python, Shell, Ansible) to automate common tasks and streamline network management.

Seek opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort via automation tools.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement

Maintain updated network diagrams, configuration notes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Document changes and provide detailed communication regarding patch cycles and environment updates.

Recommend improvements and share best practices to optimize network performance and reliability.
Required Skills:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience configuring and managing Cisco and/or Juniper network devices.
• Working knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) and switching technologies (VLANs, STP, etc.).
• Familiarity with STIG and DoD security requirements, including system hardening and patch management.
• Current or ability to obtain DoD 8140/8570 baseline certification(s) (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CCNA Security, or equivalent).

Desired Skills:

• Experience with TACLANE configuration, VPN tunnels, and secure WAN deployments.
• Knowledge of virtual networking solutions (OpenStack Neutron, VMware NSX).
• Scripting or automation experience (Python, Shell, Ansible, etc.).
• Understanding of firewall policy design and management.
• Familiar with Visio / Draw.io, Netbox, and similar documentation and diagraming tools.
• Experience with hands-on hardware installation and reconfiguration, racking equipment, terminating cables, and working with single and multimode fiber.
• Education
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a related technical field (or equivalent work experience).

Other Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a TS//SCI security clearance.

Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.