Network Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Network Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia are highly active, concentrated in defense contracting, federal IT services, and telecommunications, with openings at every level from entry-level network technicians through senior principal engineers. The densest hiring is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where established employers like Leidos, SAIC, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain large technical workforces. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia right now are zero-trust network architecture, software-defined networking, and secure government cloud infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 31+ Network Systems Engineer jobs
Company Overview
What We’re Looking For:
What You’ll Do:
- Design, implement, and maintain operational, test, and development infrastructure to support Aireon’s on-premises operational networks and customer data distribution.
- Install, configure, harden, and patch Linux (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu) and Windows systems in accordance with established security controls and stringent security requirements.
- Implement and maintain automation for system administration activities using tools such as Ansible and/or Puppet to improve consistency, reliability, and auditability.
- Administer and support centralized authentication solutions (e.g., Active Directory/LDAP) and resolve authentication-related incidents and change requests.
- Provide Tier II/III operational support for escalated system and network-layer security incidents; perform root cause analysis and coordinate resolution with vendors, engineering, security, and subcontractors.
- Maintain continuous monitoring of system resources and security posture, including configuration management, inventory/license/asset tracking, backups, off-site archives, disaster recovery readiness, and patch/update compliance.
- Collect and evaluate performance data to identify systemic issues, tune systems, and ensure adequate capacity, resilience, redundancy, and performance.
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- 5+ years of professional systems administration and/or IT engineering experience supporting Linux and Windows environments in a security-conscious operational setting.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience installing, configuring, administering, and troubleshooting Linux and Windows systems.
- Hands-on experience with OS hardening, patching, vulnerability remediation, and security controls at the OS and application layers.
- Working knowledge of Internet protocols, OS/network configuration, and general IP networking concepts (OSI Layer 2/3).
- Experience administering centralized authentication services (AD/LDAP) and troubleshooting authentication and access issues.
Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:
- Experience with virtualization and containers.
- General knowledge of Cisco IOS and/or Juniper OS.
- Experience conducting or supporting network and system-level penetration testing and/or security validation activities.
- Experience working in a configuration-managed operational environment with rigorous security controls.
- Relevant certifications (preferred): RHCSA, RHCE, Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, CompTIA Server+.
- Familiarity with ticketing systems, issue tracking, and collaboration tools.
Work Environment:
Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Company Overview
What We’re Looking For:
What You’ll Do:
- Design, implement, and maintain operational, test, and development infrastructure to support Aireon’s on-premises operational networks and customer data distribution.
- Install, configure, harden, and patch Linux (RHEL/CentOS/Ubuntu) and Windows systems in accordance with established security controls and stringent security requirements.
- Implement and maintain automation for system administration activities using tools such as Ansible and/or Puppet to improve consistency, reliability, and auditability.
- Administer and support centralized authentication solutions (e.g., Active Directory/LDAP) and resolve authentication-related incidents and change requests.
- Provide Tier II/III operational support for escalated system and network-layer security incidents; perform root cause analysis and coordinate resolution with vendors, engineering, security, and subcontractors.
- Maintain continuous monitoring of system resources and security posture, including configuration management, inventory/license/asset tracking, backups, off-site archives, disaster recovery readiness, and patch/update compliance.
- Collect and evaluate performance data to identify systemic issues, tune systems, and ensure adequate capacity, resilience, redundancy, and performance.
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- 5+ years of professional systems administration and/or IT engineering experience supporting Linux and Windows environments in a security-conscious operational setting.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience installing, configuring, administering, and troubleshooting Linux and Windows systems.
- Hands-on experience with OS hardening, patching, vulnerability remediation, and security controls at the OS and application layers.
- Working knowledge of Internet protocols, OS/network configuration, and general IP networking concepts (OSI Layer 2/3).
- Experience administering centralized authentication services (AD/LDAP) and troubleshooting authentication and access issues.
Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:
- Experience with virtualization and containers.
- General knowledge of Cisco IOS and/or Juniper OS.
- Experience conducting or supporting network and system-level penetration testing and/or security validation activities.
- Experience working in a configuration-managed operational environment with rigorous security controls.
- Relevant certifications (preferred): RHCSA, RHCE, Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, CompTIA Server+.
- Familiarity with ticketing systems, issue tracking, and collaboration tools.
Work Environment:
Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
See All 31 Network Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Network Systems Engineer JobsNetwork Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Network Systems Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in network systems engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above) required by most Virginia defense employers
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related engineering field
- Cisco CCNA or CCNP certification strongly preferred across Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads postings
- Hands-on experience designing and managing enterprise LAN, WAN, and SD-WAN environments
- Familiarity with NIST cybersecurity frameworks and federal compliance standards such as FISMA
- Proficiency with network monitoring and management tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, or Cisco Prime
Network Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a network systems engineer in Virginia?
Network systems engineer roles in Virginia do not require a state-issued license, so the path starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or electrical engineering from a Virginia institution or elsewhere. From there, employers expect vendor certifications such as Cisco's CCNA or CompTIA Network+ as a baseline, with higher-level credentials like CCNP or a security clearance opening doors at the many defense contractors headquartered in Northern Virginia.
How much do network systems engineers make in Virginia?
Network systems engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $141,340 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,050 for the lowest 10% to over $210,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire network systems engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring network systems engineers in Virginia right now include Arsiem, Leidos, and Grid Networks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense prime contractors means a large share of these openings require or strongly prefer candidates who already hold an active DoD security clearance.
Which Virginia cities have the most network systems engineer jobs?
Arlington, Chantilly, and Norfolk account for the largest share of network systems engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because it sits at the center of the federal IT and defense contracting ecosystem around Washington, D.C., while Richmond's state government agencies and financial services firms drive steady demand, and Hampton Roads draws heavily from Navy and military installation support contracts.
Are there remote network systems engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're limited. Network systems engineering often requires hands-on access to hardware, data centers, and secure government facilities, which limits full-remote arrangements. About 43% of network systems engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and the roles most likely to allow off-site work are those focused on network design, documentation, architecture review, or monitoring rather than physical installation and maintenance.
How can I get hired as a network systems engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Virginia is starting as a network operations center analyst or junior systems administrator, roles that large defense employers like Leidos and SAIC regularly recruit for without requiring years of engineering experience. Earning a CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA before applying significantly strengthens a candidate's file. Beginning the DoD security clearance process early is equally important, since many Virginia employers will sponsor new hires through the investigation but prefer candidates who have already initiated the process.
Where can I find and apply to network systems engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to network systems engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and clearance level, and apply directly without creating an account or signing up.
See All 31 Network Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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