Aruba Network Engineer (W2 ONLY)

Aruba Network Engineer

Washington, DC onsite

Candidates with FTC Public Trust clearance are highly preferred

ship required per government contract

W2 ONLY, NO C2C

We are seeking an experienced Aruba Network Engineer to support our federal government client using Aruba core and access switches. The role requires deep expertise in Aruba networking (including ClearPass, wireless controllers, switches) and working knowledge of Granite SDWAN and Zscaler. This position involves designing and implementing a 100% wireless solution for designated floors, managing interoperability with Cisco equipment, and adhering to federal security and compliance requirements. A current Public Trust clearance and demonstrated federal government experience are essential.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Clearance: Active Public Trust clearance.
Federal Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience working on federal government contracts or in a federal agency environment.
Aruba & Networking Expertise:
Hands-on experience designing and deploying Aruba solutions (Controllers, AP-3xx/5xx, Aruba CX Switches).
Strong proficiency with Aruba ClearPass (AAA, NAC, role-based access).
Working knowledge of Granite SDWAN and Zscaler solutions.
Education & Experience:
Typically requires a BS degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related technical field with 8 12 years of relevant experience; OR
A Master s degree with 6 10 years of prior relevant experience; OR
A Doctorate in a technical domain with commensurate experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced Aruba Certifications (e.g., Aruba Certified Mobility Expert, Aruba Edge certifications).
Additional Networking/Security Certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNP/CCIE, Palo Alto PCNSA/PCNSE).
Advanced SDWAN Orchestration & WAN Optimization experience.
Expertise with additional cloud security products and zero-trust architectures (e.g., Netskope, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps).
Strong automation/scripting capabilities (Python, Ansible) for network management.
Familiarity with federal compliance (NIST, FISMA, FedRAMP).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Aruba 6400/6300 Implementation & Migration
Phase 1: Deploy and configure Aruba 6400 core switches (VSX, VLAN routing, trunk links to Cisco Nexus 7Ks).
Phase 2: Implement Aruba 6300M switches for a 100% wireless environment on testing floors, then scale to all floors.
Configure VLANs, default routes to Granite SDWAN, and Active-Gateway (VSX) for redundancy and routing between VLANs.
Ensure compatibility and interoperability with existing Cisco Nexus 7Ks, verifying routing and transit VLAN functionality.
1. Aruba Solution Design & ClearPass
Architect, configure, and deploy Aruba network solutions, including Mobility Controllers (Aruba OS 8.x), Access Points (AP-3xx/5xx), and CX Switches.
Configure and manage Aruba ClearPass (Policy Manager, Guest, OnGuard, Onboard) for AAA, role-based access control, and NAC.
Optimize wireless networks for high performance, secure 802.1X authentication, and PoE configurations.
2. SD-WAN Integration (Granite)
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate Granite SDWAN solutions, ensuring resilient and efficient connectivity.
Manage WAN circuit upgrades and failover testing for multi-site deployments; verify default routes to Granite Edge for internet access.
3. Zscaler Configuration
Deploy, configure, and maintain Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) for secure, cloud-based internet and SaaS access.
Align Zscaler policies and configurations with broader cybersecurity strategies and federal regulations.
4. Network Security & Compliance
Ensure compliance with federal security standards (e.g., NIST, FISMA, FedRAMP) and maintain documentation per Public Trust guidelines.
Implement zero-trust security principles, including network segmentation, firewalls, role-based access, and NAC across all layers.
5. Testing & Troubleshooting
Conduct comprehensive testing and validation (VLAN propagation, default routes, VSX failover simulations, end-to-end connectivity).
Investigate and resolve complex network issues spanning Aruba, SDWAN, and Zscaler, providing root-cause analysis and effective remediation.
Provide on-call support as needed to ensure the high availability of critical network infrastructure.
6. Performance Optimization & Automation
Monitor network performance metrics, perform capacity planning, and recommend best practices for improved availability/security.
Automate repetitive tasks using scripting tools (Python, Ansible, etc.) to streamline network management and operations.
7. Technical Documentation & Stakeholder Collaboration
Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of network architectures, migration plans, configurations, and operational procedures.
Communicate with internal/external stakeholders and vendors for project updates, technical requirements, and progress reports.
Coordinate with helpdesk, server, and end-user teams to minimize disruptions during migration or system changes.