NE jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Network Evaluator (NE)
Network weakness discovery, vulnerability analysis, protocol analysis, malware analysis, and countermeasure guidance for cleared mission systems.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Finding Weaknesses Before They Become Mission Problems
At GS Consulting, network evaluation is not an academic exercise. The point is to identify what can break, explain why it matters, and help customers improve the system before an adversary gets a vote.
This role is built for technical evaluators who can probe networks carefully, analyze findings clearly, and recommend countermeasures that can actually be implemented. You will help mission teams understand where exposure exists and what should be done about it.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
Network Evaluator work usually starts with a question: where is this system weak, how could that weakness be used, and what countermeasure would change the risk? A typical day may include reviewing network behavior, running diagnostics, analyzing protocols, studying malware or software behavior, documenting findings, and briefing customers.
The job rewards evaluators who can be technical without being vague. Finding a weakness is useful. Explaining the impact and the fix is what makes the work matter.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our Network Evaluators operate at the intersection of technical probing and defensive improvement. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Evaluate operational and developmental networks and systems for weaknesses, exposure, and susceptibility to network attack.
- Advise customers on effective countermeasures, including configuration changes, commercial products, and hardware or software additions.
- Conduct vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, protocol analysis, network analysis, and software analysis to uncover attack paths.
- Use intrusion detection and network diagnostic utilities, including tools such as SNORT and trace route, to evaluate security posture.
- Produce formal evaluation reports and brief senior government customers on testing results, risk, and remediation strategies.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains
Successful Network Evaluators at GS Consulting need practical experience across several of the following technical domains:
- Cyber security, information systems security, and information assurance
- Vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, and protocol analysis
- Network analysis, software analysis, and debugging
- Systems architecture and network security
- Programming and scripting for network diagnostics
- Network intrusion detection and diagnostic utilities
- Countermeasure evaluation and remediation guidance
Preferred Degree Fields and Valuable Certifications
Preferred degree fields include Network Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security. The degree must be from an accredited institution.
Valuable certifications include Microsoft Networking, Computer Network Administrator, CISSP, ISSEP, Certified Ethical Hacking, and Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Tools and Mission Context
A Finding Is Only Useful If It Changes the Defense
Network Evaluators use diagnostics, intrusion detection data, protocol analysis, vulnerability findings, malware observations, software behavior, and architecture context to understand how a network can be attacked and defended.
The work is technical, but it is also advisory. A strong Network Evaluator can brief senior customers, translate testing results into operational risk, and recommend countermeasures that make sense for the mission environment.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Network Evaluator roles ranges from $90,000 to $200,000 per year. Final compensation depends on Network Evaluator level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, certifications, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
The range is intentionally broad because this posting covers Levels 1 through 4. Senior Network Evaluators are trusted with deeper technical analysis, stronger customer briefings, and more independent judgment about risk and remediation.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across all four Network Evaluator levels. Military coursework such as JCAC, UCT, and NWBC is highly valued for these roles. Relevant experience should connect to network security, vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, protocol analysis, software analysis, systems architecture, debugging, programming, cyber security, or related mission work.
Level 1
- 18 semester hours of military coursework or training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics 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 or training 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 or training 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 0 years of experience
Level 4
- 18 semester hours of military coursework or training 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 Network Evaluators Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from deeper technical analysis, stronger reporting, better customer briefings, and sharper judgment about what matters. Senior Network Evaluators are trusted because they can separate theoretical exposure from mission relevant risk.
At GS Consulting, Network Evaluator growth can lead deeper into network security evaluation, vulnerability research, defensive cyber operations, systems security engineering, or broader information assurance roles.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team Focused on Useful Technical Truth
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can understand the network, find the weakness, explain the risk, and help the customer make a better security decision.
Network evaluation is not about producing scary reports. It is about giving customers enough technical truth to improve the defense before the weakness turns into an operational problem.
Role Questions
Network Evaluator FAQ
What does a Network Evaluator do?
A Network Evaluator assesses operational and developmental networks for weaknesses, exposure, and susceptibility to attack. The role includes vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, protocol analysis, diagnostic testing, countermeasure recommendations, reporting, and customer briefings that help improve the security posture of mission systems.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting Network Evaluator roles?
GS Consulting Network Evaluator 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 Network Evaluator levels 1, 2, 3, and 4?
Network Evaluator levels reflect increasing experience, technical depth, and independence. 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 0 to 10 years. Level 4 ranges from 7 to 13 years. Relevant experience should involve network security, vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, protocol analysis, software analysis, systems architecture, debugging, programming, or related mission work.
How is a Network Evaluator different from an ISSO?
A Network Evaluator focuses on technical testing, network weakness discovery, vulnerability analysis, protocol analysis, countermeasure evaluation, and formal evaluation reporting. An Information Systems Security Officer focuses more on operational compliance, continuous monitoring, control evidence, and day to day security oversight. The roles support the same security mission from different angles.
What certifications are valuable for Network Evaluator candidates?
Valuable certifications include Microsoft Networking, Computer Network Administrator, CISSP, ISSEP, Certified Ethical Hacking, and Certified Information Systems Auditor. Certifications are only part of the picture. Strong candidates should also show practical experience evaluating networks, analyzing vulnerabilities, and explaining technical findings clearly.
What skills make a strong Network Evaluator candidate?
Strong candidates understand cyber security, network security, vulnerability analysis, malware analysis, protocol analysis, software analysis, debugging, systems architecture, scripting, diagnostic utilities, and countermeasure planning. The best Network Evaluators can find the weakness, explain why it matters, and recommend a fix that customers can act on.
What does a Network Evaluator earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Network Evaluator roles ranges from $90,000 to $200,000 per year. Final compensation depends on Network Evaluator level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, certifications, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these Network Evaluator jobs onsite?
Yes. These Network Evaluator 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 Network Evaluator 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, current certifications, primary network evaluation or cyber security experience, and the Network Evaluator level you believe matches your background.
Ready to test the network limits?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, current certifications, primary network evaluation or cyber security experience, and the specific Network Evaluator level you are targeting.