Senior Network Engineer – SD-WAN Specialist
Peraton
Ashburn, VA · Posted October 15, 2026
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November 2026
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- #3Best cities for mid-career professionals68% · of 100
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- #21Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Southeast121 openings · of 63
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Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
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- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 53 open senior network engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $128,500 to $182,500 and the median is $150,000.
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How AI is used in this kind of work
Among network and computer systems administrators, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for network and computer systems administrators: 34% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Peraton has filed 3 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 133 workers, most recently October 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
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About the job
Responsibilities
Peraton is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer specializing in Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD WAN) to support enterprise network infrastructure and modernization initiatives. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in SD WAN architecture, leading the design, deployment, migration, and optimization of network solutions across geographically distributed environments. The Senior Network Engineer will collaborate with network, security, cloud, and operations teams to improve network performance, resiliency, security, and connectivity across enterprise locations.
The ideal candidate will bring hands on experience implementing and managing enterprise SD WAN solutions, strong networking fundamentals, and expertise in routing, traffic engineering, network security integration, and hybrid WAN architectures.
This position requires full time, on site presence at one of the designated locations in Ashburn, VA; Springfield, VA; or Orlando, FL.
Day to Day Roles and Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end SD-WAN solution design, deployment, and migration across enterprise and multi-site environments
Architect and implement SD-WAN platforms including Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (Viptela), VMware VeloCloud, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, or Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN
Define and enforce SD-WAN policies : application-aware routing, QoS, traffic shaping, and path selection
Integrate SD-WAN overlays with hybrid WAN transports : MPLS, broadband, LTE/5G, and DIA circuits
Collaborate with security teams to implement Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) frameworks alongside SD-WAN deployments
Design and maintain SD-WAN orchestration and management planes (vManage, Orchestrator, VCO, etc.)
Perform root cause analysis and troubleshoot complex SD-WAN connectivity, performance, and failover issues
Monitor WAN performance metrics — latency, jitter, packet loss — and proactively optimize circuit utilization
Lead network infrastructure projects from planning through implementation, testing, and operational handoff
Collaborate with cloud teams on direct cloud on-ramps : AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS-optimized routing
Support network automation initiatives using scripting and infrastructure-as-code tooling
Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 support for critical network infrastructure
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on SD-WAN architecture concepts and operational best practices
Maintain accurate network topology diagrams, runbooks, and SD-WAN configuration documentation
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience, a master's degree and 6 years of experience, an associate's degree and 10 years of experience, or a high school diploma or equivalent and 12 years of experience.
Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain the required DHS CBP clearance.
Minimum of 5 years of hands on network engineering experience, including at least 2 years focused on SD WAN design, deployment, or operations.
Hands on experience implementing, configuring, and troubleshooting at least one enterprise SD WAN platform, such as Cisco Catalyst SD WAN (Viptela), VMware VeloCloud, Fortinet Secure SD WAN, or Palo Alto Prisma SD WAN.
Strong understanding of SD WAN architecture, underlay and overlay networking, routing protocols, and tunneling technologies, including BGP, OSPF, IPsec, and GRE.
Experience integrating SD WAN with WAN transport technologies, including MPLS, broadband, LTE/5G, or Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), and configuring application aware routing, Quality of Service (QoS), and traffic steering.
Working knowledge of network security integration, including next generation firewalls, SASE, and SSE architectures.
Strong TCP/IP networking fundamentals, analytical skills, and experience troubleshooting complex network connectivity, performance, and failover issues.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supporting federal government, defense, or other regulated environments.
An active DHS Public Trust or Top Secret security clearance or higher is preferred.
Active Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification.
Advanced networking or SD WAN certifications, including Cisco Certified Specialist in SD WAN Implementation, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, VMware VCP Network Virtualization, or relevant vendor certifications.
Experience with cloud networking across AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform, or with SASE and Zero Trust solutions.
Experience with network automation and infrastructure as code tools, including Python, Ansible, Terraform, or vendor specific APIs.
Experience with network monitoring platforms such as ThousandEyes, SolarWinds, Riverbed, or LiveAction.
Experience supporting large scale SD WAN deployments across 100 or more sites and familiarity with ITIL or other IT service management frameworks.
Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range $135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
EEO EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.