JAMES PEREZ
Summary
Senior Network Engineer experienced in designing, operating, and securing enterprise classified networks across DoD and defense-contractor environments. Expertise includes Cisco and Juniper routing and switching, Palo Alto firewalls, Type 1 encryption, WAN/LAN architecture, BGP, OSPF, VPNs, network monitoring, and DISA STIG compliance. Leads complex troubleshooting, infrastructure changes, and requirements-driven network solutions across geographically distributed mission environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Network Engineer
Lockheed Martin
Syracuse, New York
06.2026 - Current
- Design and maintain the architecture of enterprise classified networks supporting mission and engineering operations within the Lockheed Martin Syracuse environment.
- Configure, administer, and sustain multivendor network infrastructure, including Cisco and Juniper routers and switches, Palo Alto firewalls, and secure communications platforms.
- Support General Dynamics Type 1 encryption devices and associated classified transport infrastructure, ensuring secure connectivity between protected network enclaves.
- Implement and troubleshoot Layer 2 and Layer 3 services, including VLANs, routing, access controls, redundancy, network-management protocols, and secure interconnections.
- Evaluate routers, switches, firewalls, and network-security devices against applicable DISA STIG requirements; document findings and support remediation activities.
- Lead troubleshooting and technical validation of classified network outages, performance degradation, cabling faults, and device-configuration issues.
- Develop and maintain network architecture diagrams, configuration baselines, implementation plans, and change-control documentation.
- Coordinate network changes and engineering decisions with cybersecurity, systems engineering, infrastructure, program, and mission stakeholders.
- Use SolarWinds NPM, Cisco Prime, and related monitoring tools to assess network health, identify trends, and validate service performance.
- Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and serve as an escalation point for complex network issues.
Desktop Support Lead
RTX
Hartford, CT
01.2026 - 06.2026
- Led deployment and integration of enterprise workstations, network switches, VoIP phones, conference-room systems, and supporting infrastructure.
- Performed rack-and-stack, structured cabling, endpoint configuration, network connectivity, and installation validation.
- Troubleshot Windows, VoIP, audiovisual, and infrastructure issues across endpoint and network layers.
- Installed servers and peripherals while documenting configurations and maintaining operational continuity.
Systems/Network Engineer II
Amentum / GISA
Wiesbaden, Germany
03.2024 - 09.2025
- Provided end-to-end engineering support for the U.S. Army Trojan Network, a secure global intelligence transport system supporting mission partners across Europe, CENTCOM, and CONUS.
- Installed, configured, and maintained Trojan WAN/LAN infrastructure, ensuring high availability, encryption integrity, and compliance with DoD and NSA standards.
- Performed daily administration of routers, switches, and firewalls; implemented routing protocols, access controls, and security policies tailored to intelligence mission requirements.
- Monitored and troubleshot network operations using tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, and Splunk, isolating faults and restoring connectivity for intelligence operations within SLA windows.
- Supported cross-domain solutions (CDS), VPN tunnels, and KG encryptors ensuring secure data transfer between TS/SCI enclaves and coalition partners.
- Coordinated with U.S. Army INSCOM and NETCOM to implement software/firmware upgrades, STIGs, and critical security patches, enhancing security posture across Trojan network devices.
- Led troubleshooting efforts for SATCOM backhaul links, multiplexers, and signal routing equipment, ensuring continuity of operations for deployed and garrison-based Trojan nodes.
- Deployed Cisco ISR routers, Catalyst 9k switches, and cryptographic devices in forward-deployed environments to ensure secure, resilient reach-back to headquarters.
- Coordinated with DISA, Regional Cyber Centers, and local site leads to resolve classified transport outages; provided Tier II/III escalation support.
- Conducted security compliance scans, POA&M remediation, and DISA CCRI readiness prep to ensure Trojan enclaves passed inspection requirements.
- Recognized for maintaining near 100% uptime of intelligence transport services during surge operations and NATO exercises.
Network Engineer
V2X CORP / EITS PROGRAM
Wiesbaden, Germany
04.2022 - 02.2024
- Designed and sustained WAN/LAN infrastructure supporting more than 500 military, civilian, and contractor personnel across 48 geographically distributed USACE sites.
- Led network-modernization activities across five countries, deploying more than 70 Cisco Catalyst 9300 and 30 Cisco 2960XR switches.
- Configured and troubleshot routing, switching, VLANs, IP services, access controls, and data-center connectivity across CorpsNet and remote facilities.
- Directed operation of Cisco ISE, Forescout, SolarWinds, Cisco Call Manager, VoIP, VTC, UC, and JRSS services.
- Gathered stakeholder requirements and translated operational needs into network designs, equipment recommendations, security controls, and implementation plans.
- Coordinated site refreshes, outage restoration, testing, validation, and documentation across headquarters, data centers, and remote locations.
System Administrator Senior
GDIT / EMITS PROGRAM
Kosovo
02.2021 - 04.2022
- Independently provided advance level technical interpretation and solutions in management of networks, software, hardware, configurations, and architectures.
- Troubleshot moderate to high complexity hardware and software issues, improving system reliability and user satisfaction.
- Reduced downtime by proactively identifying and resolving potential issues through thorough system monitoring.
- Analyzed incidents and problems using IT concepts and principles, providing effective solutions that minimized disruption and maintained system integrity.
- Enhanced system performance by optimizing server configurations and implementing regular updates for over 30 proprietary systems.
- Performed advanced software installations and upgrades to operating systems and layered software packages.
- Trained 140+ end users on proper use of hardware and software.
- Addressed user inquiries and troubleshot network-related problems, delivering tailored solutions that enhanced overall user experience.
Information Systems Operations Specialist
VECTRUS CORP / OPMAS-E PROGRAM
Kosovo
10.2020 - 01.2021
- Oversaw daily operations of network resources, ensuring effective installation, maintenance, and usage of U.S. Army's DSN/VoIP, SIPR classified, and NIPR unclassified networks.
- Managed layer 2/3 devices for Switch, Router, Server, and Storage applications while performing Tier 1 and 2 customer support functions.
- Delivered customer service to Warfighters and coordinated with interfacing agencies to achieve mission performance.
- Streamlined processes and implemented new systems to enhance operational efficiency.
- Reduced costs for IM department by identifying areas of improvement and proposing cost-effective solutions saving over 1.3 million USD.
Strategic Engagements NCOIC
US ARMY USAREUR COMMAND
Wiesbaden, Germany
03.2019 - 09.2020
- NCOIC for U.S. Army Europe G5; Provided USAREUR capability for strategic analysis in support of development and implementation of plans at the theater strategic level thereby facilitating the commander's ability to see and operate beyond traditional operational concepts to achieve desired strategic effects.
- Participated in strategic discussions with stakeholders to foster collaboration. in over 100 personal meetings with foreign VIP military personnel and prepared over 80 senior conferences.
- Prepared senior level engagements for conferences, events, and external visits, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and effective communication.
- Managed tasks and administrative operations for Strategic Engagements Office, ensuring efficient workflow and support for strategic initiatives.
- Monitored stakeholder issues and emerging themes, facilitating implementation of activities to address concerns and enhance stakeholder relations.
- Collected USAREUR objectives from stakeholders throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR) and maintained administrative accountability for four officers.
- Produced STRATCOM content in line with stakeholder engagement and communications plans.
IT System Administrator
US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Groton, CT
03.2016 - 09.2020
- Established, modified, and analyzed overall system backup and recovery strategies for over 25 assigned systems.
- Recommended and implemented hardware/software changes to enhance functionality of various computer systems.
- Oversaw security management compliance with National Guard Bureau (NGB) regulations and state policies to safeguard systems.
- Diagnosed system failures to isolate source of problems between equipment, networks, systems software, and applications systems and tracks system failures and corrective actions.
- Monitored 3 proprietary automated systems to include troubleshooting, fault isolation, problem solving, upgrading of hardware and software, debugging, and assessing program effectiveness.
- Planned and scheduled installation of new/modified hardware, operating systems, and software applications.
- Provided input to state Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) procedures for system disaster recovery.
- Drafted and executed contractual agreements to align with organizational needs and ensured successful project completion.
Service Delivery Analyst II
HENKEL
Rocky Hill, CT
08.2014 - 01.2016
- Managed end-to-end delivery of IT services, achieving over 99% SLA compliance across 200+ incidents monthly.
- Served as primary liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams, translating requirements into actionable work orders to align IT services with business needs.
- Conducted root-cause analyses on recurring service disruptions, implementing process improvements that reduced MTTR by 22% in one year.
- Developed KPI dashboards using Power BI, providing senior leadership with real-time insights on service performance.
- Coordinated change management initiatives, overseeing risk assessments and communication plans for 30+ major releases annually to ensure successful implementation.
- Led continuous-improvement workshops, identifying automation opportunities that resulted in a 15% decrease in ticket volume.
- Managed vendor relationships and service contracts, negotiating terms that achieved a 10% cost reduction while maintaining quality.
- Delivered detailed service delivery reports that highlighted trends and variances, providing actionable recommendations to enhance operational excellence.
Education
High School Diploma -
Wil Lou Gray
West Columbia, SC04-2001
Skills
Network Architecture: Cisco, Juniper, WAN/LAN, Layer 2/3, VLANs, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NTP, VPNs, QoS
Network Security: Palo Alto, Type 1 HAIPE/KG devices, DISA STIGs, POA&M remediation, IPS, segmentation
Monitoring: SolarWinds NPM, Cisco Prime, Splunk, Wireshark, packet analysis, incident response
Enterprise Systems: Cisco ISE, Forescout, Call Manager, VoIP, VTC, UC, SATCOM, JRSS, VMware
Documentation: Network diagrams, configuration baselines, change control, technical designs, compliance evidence
Clearance
TS/SCI w/ CI POLY
Certification
- CCNP Security
- CCNP Routing and Switching
- CCNA
- CompTIA Security+ CE
- ITIL 4 Foundation
- Microsoft Modern Desktop Administrator Associate
- Certified Ethical Hacker
Timeline
Senior Network Engineer
Lockheed Martin
06.2026 - Current
Desktop Support Lead
RTX
01.2026 - 06.2026
Systems/Network Engineer II
Amentum / GISA
03.2024 - 09.2025
Network Engineer
V2X CORP / EITS PROGRAM
04.2022 - 02.2024
System Administrator Senior
GDIT / EMITS PROGRAM
02.2021 - 04.2022
Information Systems Operations Specialist
VECTRUS CORP / OPMAS-E PROGRAM
10.2020 - 01.2021
Strategic Engagements NCOIC
US ARMY USAREUR COMMAND
03.2019 - 09.2020
IT System Administrator
US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
03.2016 - 09.2020
Service Delivery Analyst II
HENKEL
08.2014 - 01.2016
High School Diploma -
Wil Lou Gray