Carlos N Barnes
Brandywine,MD
Summary
Senior Network Engineer with 10+ years of experience designing, deploying, and operating secure, high-availability Cisco enterprise networks across LAN, WAN, wireless, and cloud connectivity. Proven owner of end-to-end network initiatives—from architecture and standards through deployment, vendor coordination, and 24/7 operations. Strong background in regulated, client-service environments with deep expertise in network security, modernization, resilience, and hybrid cloud networking.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Network Engineer
Tria Federal
Arlington, Virginia
08.2023 - 12.2025
- Led end-to-end network modernization projects, owning architecture, deployment, documentation, and operational handoff in a Cisco-centric enterprise environment.
- Designed and deployed high-availability LAN infrastructure using Catalyst 9500 core and 9300 access switches to support a government client HQ relocation with zero unplanned downtime.
- Planned and executed configuration changes to address evolving mission requirements and remediate security vulnerabilities.
- Standardized enterprise network device authentication by implementing Cisco ISE with TACACS+ across Catalyst and Nexus platforms, improving audit readiness and access control.
- Coordinated with cabling and service-provider vendors to define scope of work, validate implementations, and ensure Layer 1–3 readiness.
- Operated and supported production networks using SolarWinds for performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and capacity planning.
- Mentored help desk and junior staff, improving Tier 1/2 triage effectiveness and reducing escalation times.
Network Engineer
Lidl US
Arlington, VA
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Designed and deployed scalable network solutions across HQ, warehouses, and retail locations using Cisco ISR routers, Catalyst and Nexus switches, and Fortinet firewalls.
- Independently led the deployment of network access control using 802.1X and MAB, improving endpoint security and VLAN segmentation.
- Acted as the primary escalation point for vendor-managed network issues, ensuring SLAs, service quality, and remediation timelines were met.
- Collaborated with operations, vendors, and internal IT teams to minimize business impact during incidents and maintenance windows.
Local Network Engineer
Mission Square Retirement
Washington, DC, District of Columbia
07.2013 - 10.2022
- Architected and operated resilient Cisco LAN/WAN environments supporting HQ, datacenter, branch, and DR sites using EIGRP, GETVPN, VSS, StackWise, and VXLAN.
- Led datacenter migration to a colocation facility, designing and deploying a new network architecture and coordinating multi-team service transitions with minimal downtime.
- Partnered with security teams to implement Palo Alto firewall policies and Zero Trust-aligned segmentation strategies.
- Expanded enterprise connectivity into AWS and Azure via Direct Connect and ExpressRoute, supporting hybrid cloud operations.
- Developed and enforced network configuration baselines aligned with CIS benchmarks; leveraged vulnerability scanning to ensure compliance.
- Oversaw wireless deployments and wired 802.1X rollouts with third-party vendors; produced runbooks and knowledge base documentation for ongoing operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Network Communications Management
DeVry University
Arlington06-2014
Skills
- Network design
- Security protocols
- VLAN configuration
- MPLS implementation
- TACACS authentication
- Project coordination
- EIGRP
- OSPF
- BGP
- IPSEC
- VPN
- VRF
- Ethernet
- Metro-E
- MPLS
- WAN
- LAN
- LACP
- vPC
- ISE
- IPS
- IDS
- Vendor management
- Incident response
- Infrastructure optimization
- Performance monitoring
- Problem solving
- Team mentoring
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
- Strategic planning
Timeline
Network Engineer
Tria Federal
08.2023 - 12.2025
Network Engineer
Lidl US
10.2022 - 08.2023
Local Network Engineer
Mission Square Retirement
07.2013 - 10.2022
Bachelor of Science - Network Communications Management
DeVry University