NDA jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Network Designer / Architect (NDA)
Device independent network architecture, compliant schematics, technology evaluation, and migration planning for cleared mission infrastructure.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Designing the Backbone Before the Mission Depends on It
At GS Consulting, network architecture is not just a diagram. The design decides how data moves, how systems scale, how security controls fit, and how painful the next migration will be.
This role is built for network architects who can listen to a customer problem, turn it into a practical architecture, and defend the design decisions. You will help customers move from legacy infrastructure to architectures that are secure, compliant, scalable, and realistic to operate.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
NDA work usually starts with requirements that compete with each other. The customer needs performance, scalability, security, cost control, availability, compliance, and a migration path that does not break the mission.
A typical day may include documenting network architecture, building compliant schematics, reviewing Agency standard components, evaluating new technology, coordinating with engineers, and developing migration strategies that reduce operational disruption.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our NDAs help define the topology of federal network infrastructure. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Collaborate with customers to describe and document generic device independent network architectures that satisfy mission goals and requirements.
- Create detailed network designs that are architecturally compliant, incorporate Agency standard networking components, and follow government security regulations.
- Balance complex design constraints to meet strict cost, scalability, performance, availability, and security requirements.
- Evaluate emerging network technologies and equipment to determine whether they can be integrated into Agency standard solutions.
- Develop migration strategies to transition existing customers to new architectures and technologies with minimal operational impact.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains
Successful Network Designers and Architects at GS Consulting need practical experience across several of the following technical domains:
- Computer and information systems design and development
- Network architecture and systems engineering
- Network administration and infrastructure design
- Information security, cyber security, and network security
- Vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and information assurance
- Technology evaluation and migration planning
- Government security regulations and architecture compliance
Preferred Degree Fields and Military Training
Preferred degree fields include Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Assurance, or a related field. The degree must be from an accredited institution.
Formal military coursework or training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics is highly valued, including JCAC, UCT, NWBC, 1NWT, and Cyber Defense Operations.
Tools and Mission Context
Architecture Has To Survive Migration
Network Designers / Architects use customer requirements, network diagrams, architecture standards, security regulations, technology evaluations, component constraints, and migration plans to shape mission infrastructure.
The work requires technical judgment and operational empathy. A strong NDA can design for the future while understanding the systems, constraints, and users that already exist.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Network Designer / Architect roles ranges from $130,000 to $205,000 per year. Final compensation depends on NDA level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
The range is intentionally broad because this posting covers Levels 1 through 4. Senior NDAs are trusted with more complex designs, tougher migration decisions, and more independent customer architecture leadership.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across all four NDA levels. Relevant experience should connect to network architecture, systems engineering, network administration, information assurance, cyber security, infrastructure design, technology evaluation, migration planning, or related mission work.
Level 1
- 18 semester hours of military coursework such as JCAC or UCT plus 4 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 4 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 2 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 0 years of experience
Level 2
- 18 semester hours of military coursework plus 7 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 7 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 5 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 3 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 0 years of experience
Level 3
- 18 semester hours of military coursework plus 10 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 10 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 8 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 6 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 4 years of experience
Level 4
- 18 semester hours of military coursework plus 13 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 13 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 11 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 9 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 7 years of experience
Career Growth
How NDAs Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from stronger architecture judgment, cleaner designs, better migration planning, and the ability to explain tradeoffs to technical and customer teams. Senior NDAs are trusted because they can see the future operational problem before it gets built into the network.
At GS Consulting, NDA growth can lead deeper into network architecture, systems engineering, infrastructure modernization, secure enclave design, telecom engineering, or broader technical advisory roles.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team Close to the Architecture Decisions
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can understand the network problem, make the design clearer, and help the customer avoid expensive architecture mistakes.
NDA work is not generic diagramming. It takes technical judgment, security awareness, migration discipline, and the ability to design infrastructure that works under real mission pressure.
Role Questions
Network Designer / Architect FAQ
What does a Network Designer / Architect do?
A Network Designer / Architect creates device independent network architectures, detailed network designs, compliant schematics, technology evaluations, and migration strategies for mission infrastructure. The role connects customer requirements, Agency standard components, security regulations, scalability needs, and operational constraints into practical network architecture decisions.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting NDA roles?
GS Consulting Network Designer / Architect roles require an active TS/SCI clearance. Candidates must also be able to meet customer, contract, and site access requirements for the specific billet. If additional customer screening is required, that will be handled during recruiting rather than posted as public qualification language.
What are the NDA levels 1, 2, 3, and 4?
NDA levels reflect increasing architecture experience, technical independence, and customer responsibility. Level 1 starts at 0 to 4 years of relevant experience depending on education or military training path. Level 2 ranges from 0 to 7 years. Level 3 ranges from 4 to 10 years. Level 4 ranges from 7 to 13 years. Relevant experience should involve network architecture, systems engineering, network administration, information assurance, cyber security, infrastructure design, technology evaluation, or migration planning.
How is a Network Designer / Architect different from a Network System Engineer?
A Network Designer / Architect focuses on architecture, schematics, design constraints, technology evaluation, and migration strategy. A Network System Engineer is usually closer to implementation, integration, troubleshooting, and the operational engineering of network systems. The roles work together, but the NDA role owns more of the design and planning problem.
What military training is valuable for Network Designer / Architect candidates?
Formal military coursework or training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics is highly valued. Examples include JCAC, UCT, NWBC, 1NWT, and Cyber Defense Operations. Candidates should include relevant training, architecture experience, and hands on network design or engineering work when applying.
What skills make a strong Network Designer / Architect candidate?
Strong candidates understand network architecture, systems engineering, network administration, cyber security, information assurance, vulnerability analysis, compliance requirements, scalability, performance, technology evaluation, and migration planning. The best NDAs can turn customer goals into network designs that are secure, realistic, and maintainable.
What does a Network Designer / Architect earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Network Designer / Architect roles ranges from $130,000 to $205,000 per year. Final compensation depends on NDA level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these NDA jobs onsite?
Yes. These Network Designer / Architect positions support work in the Fort Meade, MD and Annapolis Junction area. Because the work is tied to cleared government facilities, sensitive systems, and customer mission requirements, candidates should expect onsite work rather than a remote arrangement.
How do I apply for GS Consulting NDA roles?
Use the Apply for this Role button on this page or email your resume directly to info@gsconsultingllc.com. Include your active clearance level, network architecture experience, relevant military cyber training, and the NDA level you believe matches your background.
Ready to design the backbone?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, network architecture experience, relevant military cyber training, and the specific NDA level you are targeting.