Network Operations Manager

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

SPA's IT organization is seeking a Network Manager to support ongoing and emerging initiatives. The Network Manager will oversee the implementation of network projects-primarily within classified network environments-in alignment with established change management policies. This role is also responsible for maintaining awareness of emerging technologies and evolving policies relevant to classified environments. Additionally, the Network Manager will provide leadership and guidance to a team of Network Administrators.

Key Responsibilities:

Network Architecture & Strategy

• Design and maintain enterprise network architectures that are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with organizational objectives.

• Develop network standards, reference architectures, roadmaps, and technology strategies supporting hybrid, cloud, and on-premises environments.

• Evaluate emerging networking technologies and recommend improvements that increase security, performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.

• Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives, including network segmentation, Zero Trust adoption, cloud connectivity, and software-defined networking technologies.

Network Engineering & Operations

• Design, deploy, configure, maintain, and optimize enterprise network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, and cloud networking components.

• Build, install, configure, upgrade, and validate network hardware and operating systems. Evaluate hardware operability for purpose and suitability for procurement.

• Monitor network health, availability, capacity, and performance to proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact operations.

• Analyze network traffic and system performance using monitoring platforms, NetFlow, packet capture, and other diagnostic tools.

• Troubleshoot complex network, routing, switching, wireless, and connectivity issues across enterprise environments.

• Plan and execute maintenance activities, upgrades, migrations, and technology refresh initiatives with minimal operational disruption.

Security & Compliance

• Configure and maintain enterprise security controls, including:

• Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)

• Access Control Lists (ACLs)

• VPN technologies

• Network Access Control (802.1X)

• TACACS+

• RADIUS

• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

• Certificate-based authentication

• Implement network configurations that comply with applicable DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), DoD cybersecurity requirements, and organizational security policies.

• Support CMMC, NIST, RMF, and other regulatory or contractual compliance initiatives.

• Participate in vulnerability remediation, security assessments, and incident response activities involving network infrastructure.

Documentation & Governance

• Develop and maintain accurate network diagrams, architecture documentation, configuration standards, operational procedures, and technical runbooks.

• Maintain configuration baselines and change documentation supporting operational excellence and audit readiness.

• Ensure network environments remain well documented throughout their lifecycle.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead network engineering initiatives from planning through implementation and operational transition.

• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to network engineers and other infrastructure team members.

• Coordinate activities with cybersecurity, cloud engineering, systems engineering, application teams, managed service providers, and vendors.

• Participate in architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and infrastructure planning efforts.

• Communicate technical concepts, risks, recommendations, and project status clearly to both technical and executive stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise networking with 3+ years in a network leadership or management role

• Experience configuring and implementing network access control solutions, such as Cisco ISE, and other enterprise networking technologies in secure environments.

• Strong experience configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting:

• Cisco routing and switching platforms

• Enterprise wireless solutions

• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), RADIUS, TACACS+, and 802.1x

• DNS and DHCP

• ACL design and implementation

• Network monitoring platforms

• Must obtain and maintain a minimum of one DOD 8140 Cyber Workforce Qualification Program security certifications with a commercial certification in a specific technology - Cisco or Palo is preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven experience in project management, including the planning, development, and implementation of technical initiatives.

• Skilled in applying DISA STIGs and implementing cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures.

• Hands-on experience with firewalls, load balancing, VPN technologies, and related security technologies.

• Broad knowledge of networking principles, theories, and industry best practices.

• Familiarity with DoD networking baselines and compliance requirements, including CORA and CMMC.

• Ability to translate complex technical incidents into clear business impacts and solutions for diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities supported by excellent interpersonal skills.

• • Effective team collaborator with strong reporting, documentation, and communication abilities.

Success in This Role

Success in this position is measured by the ability to deliver a secure, resilient, and scalable network environment that consistently supports organizational and mission objectives. The ideal candidate combines architectural vision with operational execution, proactively identifies opportunities for improvement, drives infrastructure modernization, maintains rigorous security and compliance standards, and serves as a trusted technical leader across the enterprise.Must have people management experience ability to lead a small team of Network Admins and provide network services and project deliverables to meet organization requirements.