Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Computer Network Support Specialist

Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Computer Network Support Specialist

1. Labor Category Description

The SME - Computer Network Support Specialist is the organization's pinnacle technical
authority and chief architect for the enterprise network infrastructure. This role is responsible for
setting the strategic direction, defining the architecture, and ensuring the long-term health,
security, and scalability of all network services. The SME translates high-level mission and
business requirements into a comprehensive network vision and technical roadmap. They
provide visionary leadership on network technologies, establish governance and engineering
standards, and serve as the ultimate authority for the most complex network challenges. This
individual is the final escalation point for all network-related issues and acts as the lead technical
consultant to senior leadership on network strategy and investment.

2. Typical Task List

Network Architecture and Strategy:
Define and own the long-term technical roadmap for the enterprise network,
encompassing campus LAN, WAN, data center, and cloud connectivity.
Architect the enterprise network topology, including routing schemes,
segmentation strategies, and high-availability designs.
Lead research and development (R&D) efforts, evaluating emerging technologies
(e.g., SD-WAN, Zero Trust Networking) and creating proofs-of-concept and
business cases for their adoption.
Establish and enforce network engineering standards, configuration management
policies, and governance for the entire infrastructure.

Technology Leadership and Project Execution:
Serve as the technical lead on all major network infrastructure projects, from
initial concept and design through implementation and operational turnover.
Direct large-scale migrations, such as data center relocations, major hardware
technology refreshes, or transitions to new architectural models.
Develop multi-year investment strategies for network infrastructure to ensure it
remains current, supportable, and capable of meeting future demands.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization:
Serve as the ultimate escalation point for the most catastrophic, persistent, or
complex network performance and security issues.
Lead root cause analysis for major incidents, using deep-level packet analysis and
correlation of data from multiple sources to identify underlying architectural flaws
or systemic problems.
Analyze complex data flows and application performance across the network to
engineer and implement Quality of Service (QoS) and traffic-shaping solutions.

Governance, Security, and Mentorship:

Act as the primary technical liaison to senior leadership, the cybersecurity team,
and auditors, articulating network design, security posture, and risk.
Architect the network security posture, including firewall architectures, intrusion
prevention system (IPS) deployment strategies, and network access control
(NAC) policies.
Provide expert mentorship and technical oversight to all senior and journeyman
network specialists, setting the standard for technical excellence and leading
design reviews.

3. Minimum Qualifications / Requirements

Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in network engineering
and architecture.
At least five (3) years of this experience must be in a lead architect or principal
engineer role, with responsibility for designing and managing large-scale,
complex enterprise networks.
Proven experience leading major network transformation projects (e.g., data
center build-out, enterprise-wide technology refresh).

Certifications (Baseline):
Must possess a current certification that meets DoD 8140 requirements for IAT
Level III or IAM Level III. Acceptable certifications include:
CASP+ CE
CCNA
CISSP (or Associate) - Highly Preferred
CISM

Security Clearance:
Must be able to acquire and maintain a DoW Security Clearance

Technical Skills:
Mastery of complex IP routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF) and advanced Layer
2/3 switching concepts.
Expert-level knowledge of network architecture, including data center design,
campus design, and WAN technologies.
In-depth knowledge of network security architecture, including next-generation
firewalls, VPNs, and Network Access Control (NAC).
Ability to perform deep-level network traffic analysis with tools like Wireshark.
Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical strategies and risks to a
non-technical, executive-level audience.