Network and Systems Engineer

Title : Network and Systems Engineer

Location : Sunnyvale, CA

Security Clearance : Secret Required

Salary : $120k - $150k

Work Schedule : Onsite | 9 / 80 work schedule | Department-wide team Fridays with social events

Contract Duration : 6+ months, with potential extensions tied to R&D contract awards

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.

Position Overview :

We are seeking a Network and Systems Engineer to design, implement, secure, and maintain critical network infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in networking and systems engineering, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues, collaborate across teams, and deliver innovative solutions to meet mission needs.

Responsibilities :

• Design & Implementation : Plan, design, implement, and maintain computer networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Internet connectivity.
• Network Devices : Configure and manage routers, switches, firewalls, and other core network devices.
• Network Security : Implement and monitor firewalls, intrusion detection / prevention systems, and other security controls to protect against unauthorized access and malicious activity.
• Troubleshooting & Maintenance : Diagnose and resolve network issues, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure network performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Collaboration & Communication : Partner with IT, systems, and cybersecurity teams to ensure network infrastructure aligns with organizational needs. Communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders clearly and effectively.
• Continuous Improvement : Stay current with emerging network technologies, standards, and best practices; recommend and apply improvements to infrastructure and services.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience :

Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong background in LAN / WAN design, routing, and switching.
• Hands-on experience configuring and managing firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
• Proficiency with troubleshooting network connectivity, performance, and security issues.
• Knowledge of current network security standards and best practices.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts to solve complex technical problems with innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work under general direction and deliver results that meet objectives.
• Experience working with internal and external customers, providing technical solutions to challenging issues.

Company Benefits :

Cornerstone Defense offers a comprehensive list of benefits, designed to give employees and their families several options to choose from when selecting benefits that best fit their needs. These offerings include not only a full suite of the traditional Medical / Dental / Vision insurances, but also a number of other benefits and perks to include, but not limited to : A 401(K) plan with a company match, tuition and training assistances, paid vacation / leave, a fitness reimbursement program, college savings plan, commuter benefits, financial advisory services, flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, STD / LTD coverage, life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance programs, life financial planning assistance, and legal resources.