NM jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Network Manager (NM)
Global network services, fault resolution, router and firewall configuration, and operational network performance for cleared mission environments.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Keeping the Mission Online Under Operational Pressure
At GS Consulting, a network outage is not just an IT problem. It can interrupt critical mission work. The job is to keep global network services stable, secure, and recoverable when the environment is under pressure.
This role is built for network professionals who can identify faults quickly, restore service, manage configuration, and keep operational networks performing. You will support live systems where technical discipline and clear judgment matter.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
Network Manager work usually starts with the operational state of the network. What changed? Where is performance degrading? Which fault needs immediate action? Which configuration decision affects availability, security, or customer trust?
A typical day may include managing routers, switches, and firewalls, using diagnostic tools, isolating faults, resolving service issues, monitoring performance, analyzing protocols, and supporting network engineering tasks that keep mission services available.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our Network Managers help keep global network infrastructure available and secure. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Supply customers with global network services by actively managing configuration, performance, and security for operational networks.
- Rapidly identify network faults and execute technical procedures to restore service and maintain high availability.
- Install, configure, and manage core network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, and supporting infrastructure.
- Use specialized test equipment and network analysis tools such as ping, trace route, loopbacks, and network management software to isolate and resolve performance degradation.
- Execute network engineering tasks, including design, analysis, troubleshooting, and operational support for complex network protocols.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains
Successful Network Managers at GS Consulting need practical experience across several of the following technical domains:
- Network engineering, design, and protocol analysis
- Installation and configuration of routers, switches, and firewalls
- Fault management and global network operations
- Network management software and diagnostic tools
- Cyber security and information technology infrastructure
- Operational service restoration and performance management
- Complex network protocol analysis and troubleshooting
Preferred Degree Fields and Military Training
Preferred degree fields include Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, or Information Assurance. 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, and NWBC.
Tools and Mission Context
Operational Networks Need Fast, Accurate Decisions
Network Managers use routers, switches, firewalls, network management software, specialized test equipment, ping, trace route, loopbacks, performance data, and protocol analysis to isolate issues and restore service.
The work is practical and time sensitive. A strong Network Manager can move from symptom to root cause, stabilize the service, and explain what changed in a way that helps the team prevent repeat issues.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Network Manager roles ranges from $120,000 to $205,000 per year. Final compensation depends on Network Manager 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 Network Managers are trusted with more complex operational decisions, deeper protocol analysis, and more independent responsibility for service restoration.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across all four NM levels. Relevant experience should connect to network operations, network engineering, router and firewall configuration, fault management, protocol analysis, cyber security, IT infrastructure, 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 Network Managers Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from faster fault isolation, stronger protocol understanding, cleaner configuration management, and better judgment during service impacting events. Senior Network Managers are trusted because they can restore service without creating new risk.
At GS Consulting, Network Manager growth can lead deeper into network operations leadership, network engineering, infrastructure modernization, network architecture, telecom engineering, or broader mission systems roles.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team Close to the Operational Problem
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can understand the fault, restore the service, and help the customer keep critical network operations moving.
Network Manager work is not generic monitoring. It takes discipline, technical judgment, configuration control, and the ability to make practical decisions while the network is live.
Role Questions
Network Manager FAQ
What does a Network Manager do?
A Network Manager keeps operational network services available, secure, and performing as expected. The role includes managing network configuration, monitoring performance, restoring service during faults, configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, using diagnostic tools, and supporting engineering work for complex network protocols.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting Network Manager roles?
GS Consulting Network Manager 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 Manager levels 1, 2, 3, and 4?
Network Manager levels reflect increasing operational experience, fault resolution judgment, network engineering depth, 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 operations, network engineering, router and firewall configuration, fault management, protocol analysis, cyber security, or IT infrastructure.
How is a Network Manager different from a Network System Engineer?
A Network Manager is closer to live network operations, service restoration, fault isolation, configuration management, and performance monitoring. A Network System Engineer is closer to equipment integration, physical infrastructure, secure hardware deployment, and systems testing. The roles overlap, but Network Manager work is more focused on keeping operational services running.
What military training is valuable for Network Manager candidates?
Formal military coursework or training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics is highly valued. Examples include JCAC, UCT, and NWBC. Candidates should include relevant training, hands on network operations experience, and any work with routers, switches, firewalls, network tools, or protocol analysis.
What skills make a strong Network Manager candidate?
Strong candidates understand network engineering, protocol analysis, routers, switches, firewalls, fault management, network operations, diagnostic tools, performance degradation, cyber security, and IT infrastructure. The best Network Managers can isolate the fault, restore service, and explain what needs to change so the same issue does not keep repeating.
What does a Network Manager earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Network Manager roles ranges from $120,000 to $205,000 per year. Final compensation depends on Network Manager level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these Network Manager jobs onsite?
Yes. These Network Manager positions support work in the Fort Meade, MD and Annapolis Junction area. Because the work is tied to cleared government facilities, sensitive systems, live network operations, and customer mission requirements, candidates should expect onsite work rather than a remote arrangement.
How do I apply for GS Consulting Network Manager 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 operations experience, relevant military cyber training, and the Network Manager level you believe matches your background.
Ready to manage the network?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, network operations experience, relevant military cyber training, and the specific NM level you are targeting.