Network Security Engineer

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Network Security Engineer to join our rapidly growing and innovative cybersecurity team!

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Network Security Engineer to deploy and operate the Network Access Control and perimeter security capabilities protecting a federal agency's enterprise network. The engineer owns the Cisco Identity Services Engine deployment end to end, covering 802.1X authentication of Government Furnished Equipment, HSPD-12 credential integration, endpoint posture assessment across Windows and macOS, and TrustSec segmentation, alongside the Cisco Firepower Threat Defense firewall fleet and the remote access VPN.

The current environment runs a seven-node ISE deployment on version 3.4 with separate policy sets per organizational component, and roughly 384 network access devices await integration. This position turns that partial deployment into enforced Zero Trust access control under NIST SP 800-207, measured against a target of 80 percent of active access ports under 802.1X enforcement within the first year.

Named one of the Best Places to Work in the Washington DC area for 12 consecutive years, Valiant is proud of our employee-centric culture and commitment to excellence. If you are interested in learning more about Valiant and this opportunity, we invite you to apply now!

This position is based in Silver Spring, MD, and allows for partial remote work. Remote work requires a high level of trust in our employees, and we strictly adhere to the details outlined in our Remote Work Policy below. 

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field. Four (4) additional years of specialized experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
• 6 years of dedicated experience in network security engineering and infrastructure protection.
• Hands-on experience taking a Cisco ISE deployment from partial configuration to enforced enterprise-wide 802.1X.
• Experience operating a production firewall fleet in an environment with defined availability standards.
• Cisco Identity Services Engine administration, including distributed PAN, MnT, PSN, and pxGrid node topologies.
• 802.1X, RADIUS, MAB, and certificate-based authentication in mixed Windows and macOS environments.
• Endpoint posture assessment with AnyConnect and Cisco Secure Client.
• Cisco TrustSec design using Security Group Tags and Security Group Access Control Lists.
• Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and Firepower Management Center administration, including intrusion prevention tuning.
• Remote access and site-to-site VPN engineering with posture integration and machine certificate enforcement.
• PKI concepts as they apply to machine and user certificate validation.
• Switching and routing fundamentals sufficient to troubleshoot access-layer authentication failures end to end.

Preferred Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or CompTIA Security+.

Responsibilities

Network Access Control and Identity 

• Review and validate the existing Cisco ISE configuration, document the gaps, and deliver the remediation design within the first 90 days of performance.
• Configure and enforce 802.1X authentication for Government Furnished Equipment across the enterprise access layer.
• Integrate ISE with Active Directory and LDAP, and enforce HSPD-12 compliant authentication using CAC or Yubikey credentials.
• Build authorization policy that restricts service access to authenticated users and locks accounts after three consecutive failed login attempts.
• Onboard network access devices into ISE in a phased sequence that protects availability while raising enforcement coverage.

Profiling, Posture, and Remediation 

• Configure the ISE profiling engine to discover, identify, and monitor every endpoint on the network.
• Deploy and tune AnyConnect and Cisco Secure Client posture agents on both Windows and macOS endpoints.
• Implement posture checks that validate antivirus and antimalware status, host firewall state, and operating system patch level before access is granted.
• Develop remediation policy with the government security team so that non-compliant endpoints are quarantined and returned to service predictably.
• Report posture metrics monthly, including the count of devices denied access for failing compliance checks.

Segmentation and Firewall Operations 

• Design TrustSec Security Group Tag segmentation that enforces policy by user role rather than IP address.
• Integrate ISE with Cisco Firepower Management Center to share user and Security Group Tag context for identity-based firewall rules.
• Manage the Cisco Firepower Threat Defense appliance fleet, including rule base tuning, intrusion prevention signature management, and malware defense configuration.
• Migrate remaining FTD appliance configurations to the cloud management plane where applicable.
• Support Tier 2 and Tier 3 firewall rule analysis during incident response and change windows.

Remote Access and Continuous Operations

• Deploy and manage remote access and site-to-site VPN services, including concentrator configuration and capacity management.
• Enforce posture validation before a remote client is authorized onto the network.
• Implement machine certificate validation and equivalent technical controls that restrict client-based VPN access to Government Furnished Equipment only.
• Prepare Methods of Procedure for every security configuration change and carry them through the Change Control Board.
• Participate in the 24x7x365 on-call rotation, responding to Priority 1 incidents within 15 minutes.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to explain network and security concepts to both engineers and non-technical government stakeholders.
• Ability to brief senior government leadership, including the Contracting Officer's Representative and Technical Lead, on incident root cause, risk, and remediation.
• Clear technical writing for Methods of Procedure, topology diagrams, standard operating procedures, and monthly status report inputs.
• Ability to work as a contractor employee in a non-personal services environment, identifying as contractor staff in all meetings, correspondence, and system records.

Federal Knowledge

• Working knowledge of federal network security direction, including Zero Trust Architecture (NIST SP 800-207), Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) 3.0 reference architectures, and the IPv6 mandate under OMB M-21-07.
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 security and privacy controls as they apply to network and boundary protection.
• Understanding of HSPD-12 identity credentialing and its enforcement in network access decisions.
• Awareness of Section 508 accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.0 AA) as they apply to contract deliverables.
• Experience operating inside a federal change control process, with government-approved documentation and deliverable acceptance criteria.
• Willingness to complete required customer training, including annual cybersecurity awareness, records management, privacy, safety, and harassment prevention training.

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions is a security-focused IT solutions provider with public clients nationwide. Named one of the fastest growing privately held companies by Inc. 5000, Washington Technology’s Fast 50, and Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the D.C. area, Valiant Solutions prides itself on providing its employees with great benefits and career development opportunities. As a company, we are just as committed to growing careers as we are to building world-class IT solutions, all while enjoying an unparalleled work-life balance. We are in a phase of tremendous growth and building the team that will take us to the next level. We seek people whose talents and accomplishments will contribute to a thriving company, who have the character to support their capacity, and can make a positive impact on our culture. Alongside our talented team, you’ll learn to think quickly on your feet and expand your own personal and professional skill set. Our management team will inspire you to consider new perspectives and challenge you to become a better practitioner in the fast-paced industry of IT security. We hire people we respect – and we trust them to deliver results leveraging their expertise. If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment as part of a stellar team of professionals, then we invite you to apply online today.

Benefits Snapshot (includes, but not limited to)
Valiant pays 99% of the Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage for Full-time Employees
Valiant contributes 25% towards Health Coverage for Family and Dependents
100% Paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance Policy for Full-time Employees
100% Paid Certifications
401K Matching up to 4%
Paid Time Off
Paid Federal Holidays
Wellness & Fitness Program
Valiant University – Online Education and Training Portal
FSA programs for: Medical Costs, Dependent Care, Transit, and Parking
Referral Bonuses

The salary range for this position is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. It has been benchmarked in relation to the scope of the role, market rate, and internal equity. The salary for this role is expected to be in the $130,000-$135,000 range. Where a candidate falls within the band can be determined based on one or more of the following: skillset, experience level, achievements, education, geographic location, security clearance, involvement in corporate tasks, and other non-discriminatory factors. In addition to the base salary, this role will include benefits as described above.  Valiant reserves the right to adjust the salary range, experience requirements, and position responsibilities at any time without prior notice.

Remote Work Policy

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in our employees. To ensure that employee performance does not suffer in a remote work environment, all employees who telecommute are expected to have a quiet and distraction-free workspace with adequate internet, dedicate their full attention and availability to their job duties during working hours, and maintain a schedule during core business hours that align with those of their coworkers and Valiant's clients. In alignment with Valiant's inclusive and engaging environment, cameras are encouraged and can be required to be on during virtual video conferences. Additionally, in alignment with the Office of the Inspector General’s effort to eliminate conflicting employment, all Valiant employees are required to disclose any current or future outside employment engagements. During onboarding and throughout employment, employees must disclose any current activities or intent to engage in outside employment or other professional activities and obtain written approval.  Employees may not solicit or conduct any outside business during core business hours for Valiant Solutions and our clients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valiant Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Demands

Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods of time and consistent operation of a computer. Frequent communication and exchanging of accurate information via electronic communication, phones, and in person. Occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Authorization to Share Resume and Personal Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you authorize Valiant Solutions to share your resume, as well as, personal information included on the resume, with its subsidiaries, affiliates and teaming partners for the purpose of considering you for this position and other available positions requiring comparable skills, education and experience. Should Valiant Solutions or its affiliates and teaming partners wish to initiate pre-employment discussions, you will be asked to complete an employment application and related employment documents.