Senior Unified Communications Engineer – Federal IT Infrastructure & Network Automation Specialist (TS/SCI Clearance Required)

About brighthush and the Future of Federal Communications

At brighthush, we’re redefining how federal agencies connect, collaborate, and secure their digital operations. Our mission is to deliver cutting‑edge, mission‑critical networking solutions that empower government teams to work faster, safer, and more efficiently. With a portfolio that spans secure SD‑WAN, next‑generation routing, and cloud‑native networking, brighthush is at the forefront of the federal technology landscape. If you thrive on solving complex problems, pushing the boundaries of automation, and ensuring the highest standards of reliability and security, you’ll find a home here.

Why This Role Matters

As a Unified Communications Engineer, you will be the linchpin that keeps federal networks running at peak performance. Your expertise will shape the architecture, deployment, and ongoing optimization of the next‑generation network that supports critical IT workloads across geographically dispersed sites. You’ll work side‑by‑side with a diverse team of software, platform, and security engineers to design, automate, and scale resilient network infrastructures that meet the stringent demands of federal operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Design & Architecture: Lead the design of scalable, high‑availability WAN and LAN topologies, incorporating BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, and overlay technologies to meet mission‑critical performance targets.
• Automation & Scripting: Build and maintain production‑grade automation frameworks using Python, Go, Ansible, and Terraform. Create reusable playbooks, modules, and CI/CD pipelines that streamline configuration, provisioning, and change management.
• Device & Platform Management: Operate, troubleshoot, and optimize enterprise networking hardware (switches, routers, firewalls) and software‑defined platforms such as SONiC, Cumulus NOS, and SD‑WAN solutions from Cisco, Fortinet, VMware, and Silver Peak.
• Cloud Integration: Design and implement secure connectivity between on‑premises networks and public clouds (AWS Transit Gateway, Azure Virtual WAN, GCP Interconnect) using VPN, IPsec, MACsec, and SASE solutions.
• Container Networking: Configure Kubernetes networking components, including CNI plugins, MetalLB, and pod networking, to support hybrid workloads across bare‑metal and cloud environments.
• Observability & Telemetry: Deploy and maintain telemetry pipelines (gRPC, gNMI, YANG, Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch) to provide real‑time visibility into latency, jitter, and packet loss.
• Security & Compliance: Enforce security policies across the network, implement zero‑touch provisioning, and ensure adherence to federal security standards and best practices.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Work closely with Network Architects, vendors, and internal stakeholders to translate requirements into technical designs. Produce clear, comprehensive documentation for operations, troubleshooting, and audit purposes.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for performance optimization, cost reduction, and technology refresh. Champion innovative solutions that enhance reliability and scalability.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting large‑scale enterprise WAN architectures using core routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), MPLS, and overlay networks.
• Proven track record managing enterprise‑grade SD‑WAN platforms (Cisco Catalyst SD‑WAN/Viptela, Fortinet Secure SD‑WAN, VMware Velocloud, Silver Peak) with expertise in policy enforcement, zero‑touch provisioning, and dynamic path selection.
• Strong programming skills in Python or Go, with experience building automation scripts, RESTful API integrations, and configuration management tools.
• Hands‑on experience with Ansible, Terraform, and GitOps workflows (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) for infrastructure as code.
• Deep understanding of network protocols, APIs (NETCONF/RESTCONF), and data serialization formats (JSON, YAML, XML).
• Experience configuring and maintaining Kubernetes networking (CNI, MetalLB, pod networking) and container orchestration on bare‑metal clusters.
• Knowledge of secure transport mechanisms (IPsec, MACsec, Next‑Gen Firewall policies) and QoS traffic shaping for latency‑sensitive applications.
• Physical ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work onsite in Chantilly, VA, five days a week.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with Terraform for network state declaration and version‑controlled GitOps pipelines.
• Proficiency in model‑driven telemetry (gRPC, gNMI), YANG data modeling, and streaming observability pipelines (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch, ThousandEyes).
• Experience integrating SD‑WAN topologies with major public clouds (AWS Transit Gateway/Direct Connect, Azure Virtual WAN/ExpressRoute) and SASE solutions (Zscaler, Palo Alto Prisma Access).
• Advanced networking and automation certifications such as Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, CCNP Enterprise (Network Automation focus), CCIE, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with rail‑optimized technology and high‑availability network design for critical infrastructure.

What You’ll Gain at brighthush

• Career Growth: Structured mentorship programs, access to industry conferences, and a clear career ladder that rewards technical excellence and leadership.
• Continuous Learning: Ongoing training in emerging networking technologies, automation frameworks, and cloud services. We support certifications and provide a generous budget for professional development.
• Impactful Work: Your solutions directly support federal agencies, ensuring secure, reliable connectivity for national security missions.
• Collaborative Culture: Inclusive, cross‑functional teams that value diverse perspectives and encourage open communication.
• Work‑Life Balance: While the role is onsite, we offer flexible scheduling options and a supportive environment that respects personal commitments.

Compensation & Benefits

At brighthush, we offer a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and expertise. In addition to base pay, you’ll receive:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off, holidays, and a generous sick leave policy.
• Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and on‑site fitness resources.
• Technology stipend for home office equipment and connectivity.
• Opportunities for performance bonuses and equity participation.

Ready to Join brighthush?

If you’re a seasoned networking professional with a passion for automation, cloud integration, and secure communications, we want to hear from you. Bring your expertise to a team that values innovation, collaboration, and mission‑critical impact. Apply today and help shape the future of federal networking at brighthush.