Network Security Engineer

Job Description

Agile Defense is seeking a Senior Network Security Engineer to support the agency as it moves away from its legacy ForeScout CounterACT NAC/NAM system and adopts Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) as the new access control platform. The engineer will help configure and manage Cisco ISE across the environment, handling AAA services, wired and wireless 802.1X authentication, device administration, and posture checks for users and devices.

This role also supports the agency’s modernization work by improving authentication processes, updating ISE policies, and strengthening identity-based access controls. The engineer will troubleshoot access issues, refine policy designs, and help ensure users and devices can connect securely and reliably as the organization completes its transition from ForeScout to Cisco ISE.

Troubleshoot and resolve Cisco ISE issues across RADIUS, TACACS+, 802.1X, device administration, and endpoint authentication.

Deploy, configure, and maintain Cisco ISE running on two clustered Cisco SNS 3715 appliances, ensuring high availability and consistent policy enforcement.

Support the agency’s migration from ForeScout CounterACT to Cisco ISE, including reviewing legacy ForeScout policies, device groups, and access rules and mapping them into ISE policy sets.

Provide general wireless support, including basic troubleshooting, wireless access workflows, and coordination with wireless infrastructure teams.

Configure and support Cisco ISE integrations with Cisco 9800 WLCs, including guest/registration portals, wireless onboarding, and policy driven access control.

Integrate and maintain Cisco ISE with Active Directory (AD) and LDAP, including identity lookups, group based authorization, and directory based authentication workflows.

Deploy, configure, and maintain Cisco ISE components, including:
o    Policy Sets, Authorization Profiles, and Authentication Rules
o    TACACS+ device administration
o    802.1X for wired and wireless networks
o    Profiling, posture, and compliance policies
o    Certificate based authentication and PKI integrations

Monitor security events using ISE logs, syslog, and performing root cause analysis for authentication and access issues.

Manage identity integrations, enforce security policies, and tune configurations to support Zero Trust and improve user experience.

Perform routine health checks, upgrades, migrations, and document changes through SOPs, engineering designs, and implementation procedures.

Work closely with engineering, operations, and compliance teams while mentoring junior staff and contributing to knowledge sharing efforts.

Education and Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

Years of Experience

• Eight (8) years of experience in a large government organization with five (5) years in technical leadership, including four (4) years implementing and troubleshooting Cisco ISE.
• Four (4) years of experience supporting identity centric or Zero Trust architectures with strong knowledge of segmentation, certificate management, and endpoint posture controls.

Required Skills

Senior Network Security Engineer responsible for designing, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting Cisco ISE as a NAC/NAM platform, including TACACS+/RADIUS services, device administration policies, and wired/wireless 802.1X authentication.
• Eight (8) years of experience in a large government organization with five (5) years in technical leadership, including four (4) years implementing and troubleshooting Cisco ISE with expertise in:
  o    Authentication and authorization policies (RADIUS/TACACS+)
  o    802.1X/EAP methods for wireless and wired access
  o    Device profiling, posture checks, and endpoint compliance
  o    Certificate based authentication (EAP TLS) and PKI integration
  o    AAA integrations for switches, appliances, firewalls, and wireless controllers
• Experience working with Cisco ISE deployed on Cisco SNS 3715 appliances, preferably in a two node clustered, high availability setup.
• Understanding of ForeScout CounterACT, including legacy NAC/NAM policies, device classification, and access workflows, to support the migration to Cisco ISE
• Experience providing general wireless network support, including basic troubleshooting, controller interactions, and wireless access workflows.
• Hands on experience integrating Cisco ISE with Active Directory (AD) and LDAP, including identity lookups, group based policy decisions, and directory based authentication.
• Experience supporting Cisco ISE integrations with Cisco 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers, including guest/registration page redirection and wireless onboarding.
• Experience migrating legacy NAC, RADIUS, or device authentication systems into Cisco ISE while aligning with Zero Trust principles.
• Solid understanding of telecommunications, network security, and Zero Trust best practices.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain Cisco ISE, NAC/NAM, and AAA concepts to both technical and non technical audiences.
•  

Preferred Skills

Preferred certifications: Cisco CCNP Security, Cisco ISE Specialist, or similar identity/security certifications.

Working Conditions

• On-site 5 days a week in Suitland, Maryland

• Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
• Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
• Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
• Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
• Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.