---
title: 'ZScaler SME Network Engineer at Agile Defense'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/zscaler-sme-network-engineer-agile-defense-ashburn-tt3w0ckwqfrr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-20'
---

# ZScaler SME Network Engineer at Agile Defense

- **Company:** Agile Defense
- **Location:** Ashburn, VA
- **Compensation:** $170k–$185k
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-20
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/agile-defense/e80afb33-5c0d-4383-9a02-aae634fe44d6

## Job description

## About Agile Defense

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.

Serve as a Senior Network Engineer enabling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission and enterprise network infrastructure. The applicant will serve as the primary technical authority for designing, deploying, administering, upgrading and optimizing enterprise-wide Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions using the Zscaler cloud security platform. This role leads the operational architecture across Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), and Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX), driving modern Zero Trust initiatives

Required Skills

- The Senior network engineer will be the technical lead performing the following: Architecture & Engineering: Design, implement, and maintain enterprise Zscaler deployments (ZIA, ZPA, ZDX, and Zscaler Client Connector) across multi-cloud and hybrid corporate environments.
- Policy & Governance: Create, audit, and tune security policies, including URL filtering, Cloud Application Control, SSL/TLS deep packet inspection, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and sandbox policies.
- Zero Trust Deployment: Formulate and execute access policies within ZPA to enable least-privilege direct access to internal applications in private clouds (AWS, Azure, GCP) and on-premises data centers without traditional VPN overhead.
- Operational Troubleshooting: Serve as Tier-3/Tier-4 escalation support for complex proxy routing, PAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) file debugging, identity integration, authentication drops, and application latency issues.
- Agent Lifecycle Management: Manage enterprise distribution, health checks, profile tuning, and version upgrades of Zscaler Client Connector (ZCC) across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android platforms.
- Observability & Analytics: Leverage ZDX and cloud analytics to isolate user experience degradation across endpoint, network ISP, and application levels; configure automated alerting and SIEM log integration (Splunk, Cribl).
- Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Identity and Access Management (IAM) teams to configure SAML/SCIM attributes with IdPs such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), or Ping Identity.
- Troubleshooting & Incident Management: Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 escalation support for network outages, circuit degradations, and performance issues; conduct root cause analyses (RCA) and coordinate vendor support.
- Documentation & Asset Management: Maintain accurate network diagrams (Visio), topology maps, inventory databases, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and change control tickets (ServiceNow/Remedy).
- Support On-Call & Escalation Management: support 24/7/365 on-call rotation readiness to respond to Tier 3 critical network incidents within SLA limits and coordinating cross-functional escalation pathways. When needed to restore services, the Senior Network Engineer will provide a solution and implement an Emergency Change Request (ECR), Emergency Break Fix (EBF), or Change Request.
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or Post Incident Reporting: Participate in the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or post incident analysis of problems for mission critical applications, mission essential applications, and mission essential network infrastructure as well as recurring issues on the enterprise IT infrastructure.
- Project Support: Partner with program and project managers to align network engineering deliverables, milestone schedules, and resource planning with enterprise project objectives.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex network issues.
- Scheduled and Adhoc Travel:  Ability to travel within the United States either on short notice or scheduled, up to 20% of the time.

## Preferred Skills

- The Senior network engineer will be the technical lead performing the following: Architecture & Engineering: Design, implement, and maintain enterprise Zscaler deployments (ZIA, ZPA, ZDX, and Zscaler Client Connector) across multi-cloud and hybrid corporate environments.
- Policy & Governance: Create, audit, and tune security policies, including URL filtering, Cloud Application Control, SSL/TLS deep packet inspection, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and sandbox policies.
- Zero Trust Deployment: Formulate and execute access policies within ZPA to enable least-privilege direct access to internal applications in private clouds (AWS, Azure, GCP) and on-premises data centers without traditional VPN overhead.
- Operational Troubleshooting: Serve as Tier-3/Tier-4 escalation support for complex proxy routing, PAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) file debugging, identity integration, authentication drops, and application latency issues.
- Agent Lifecycle Management: Manage enterprise distribution, health checks, profile tuning, and version upgrades of Zscaler Client Connector (ZCC) across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android platforms.
- Observability & Analytics: Leverage ZDX and cloud analytics to isolate user experience degradation across endpoint, network ISP, and application levels; configure automated alerting and SIEM log integration (Splunk, Cribl).
- Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Identity and Access Management (IAM) teams to configure SAML/SCIM attributes with IdPs such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), or Ping Identity.
- Troubleshooting & Incident Management: Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 escalation support for network outages, circuit degradations, and performance issues; conduct root cause analyses (RCA) and coordinate vendor support.
- Documentation & Asset Management: Maintain accurate network diagrams (Visio), topology maps, inventory databases, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and change control tickets (ServiceNow/Remedy).
- Support On-Call & Escalation Management: support 24/7/365 on-call rotation readiness to respond to Tier 3 critical network incidents within SLA limits and coordinating cross-functional escalation pathways. When needed to restore services, the Senior Network Engineer will provide a solution and implement an Emergency Change Request (ECR), Emergency Break Fix (EBF), or Change Request.
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or Post Incident Reporting: Participate in the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or post incident analysis of problems for mission critical applications, mission essential applications, and mission essential network infrastructure as well as recurring issues on the enterprise IT infrastructure.
- Project Support: Partner with program and project managers to align network engineering deliverables, milestone schedules, and resource planning with enterprise project objectives.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex network issues.
- Scheduled and Adhoc Travel:  Ability to travel within the United States either on short notice or scheduled, up to 20% of the time.

Our Core Values

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.

What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do. Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated. Honest - Be Trustworthy.Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support. Humble - Be Grounded.Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task. Hungry - Be Eager.Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges. Hustle - Be Driven.Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

## About Agile Defense

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Agile Defense delivers advanced digital transformation, data analytics, and cybersecurity solutions to support critical national security and civilian missions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (owned by Enlightenment Capital; last private equity round in November 2022)
- **Headquarters**: McLean, Virginia, United States
- **Founded**: Year not publicly available
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: IT Services and IT Consulting, National Security, Defense, Civilian Government
- **Target customers**: U.S. federal government (defense and civilian agencies), B2G (business-to-government)
- **Mission/Purpose**: “Bring adaptive innovation to support our nation’s most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility.”

## Products & Services
- **Digital Transformation**: Applying advanced services, capabilities, and solutions securely to enhance mission operations and achieve optimal outcomes.
- **Data Analytics**: Leveraging a data-driven approach to deliver insights that accelerate decision-making.
- **Cyber**: Delivering Cyber Systems and Cyber Operations capabilities to defend against advanced and emerging cyber threats.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $110M (as of latest data); 816 employees ( -7.4% YoY)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: 
  - **Investor**: Enlightenment Capital (private equity sponsor)
  - **Partners**: AWS, Microsoft, Atlassian, ServiceNow, Snowflake, CrowdStrike, Splunk, Red Hat, GitLab, and many more.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Headcount declined 7.4% year-over-year, but job postings increased 133.9% year-over-year.
  - Active job postings: 131 (as of Sep 2026).
  - Recognized as Washington Post Top Work Places 2023, 2024, and 2026.
  - ISO 9001, ISO 20000-1, ISO 27001 certified; CMMI DEV/SVC ML3 appraised.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Certifications & Compliance**: ISO 9001, 20000-1, 27001; CMMI ML3; critical for government contracts.
- **Extensive Partner Ecosystem**: Ties with major cloud/platform providers (AWS, Microsoft, ServiceNow, etc.) and security vendors (CrowdStrike, Splunk, Recorded Future).
- **Mission Focus**: Deep expertise in national security and civilian missions, with global presence (North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East).
- **Award-Winning Culture**: Consecutive Washington Post Top Workplaces recognition reinforces employer brand.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling digital transformation, data analytics, and cyber capabilities for U.S. government clients.
- Investing in innovation through “Agile Labs” and research.
- Expanding hiring in key technical areas (Data Scientist, Splunk Architect, Cyber Incident Handler, AI SME).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and “elite teams” working on high-impact national security projects.
- **Work Policy**: Some roles are listed as “Remote – Regular Remote” (e.g., certain positions on Lever job board), but many roles likely require clearance and on-site work.
- **Benefits**: Competitive health plans, education and certification reimbursement, paid parental leave, PTO, fitness reimbursement, employee assistance program, referral bonuses up to $2,500.
- **Recognition**: Washington Post Top Work Places 2023, 2024, 2026; Glassdoor rating 3.9/5 (287 reviews) with work-life balance 4.1/5.
- **Professional Development**: Knowledge-sharing sessions, team-building activities, ongoing training.

## Sources
1. [Agile Defense About Page](https://agiledefense.com/about/)
2. [Agile Defense LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/agiledefense)
3. [Agile Defense Careers Page](https://agiledefense.com/careers/)
4. [Agile Defense Open Positions (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/agile-defense)

## Other roles at Agile Defense

- [Applied Data & Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/applied-data-software-engineer-agile-defense-arlington-1238zksavpsp) — Arlington, VA
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- [Senior Application Security Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-application-security-engineer-agile-defense-remote-3zf16dnh0pzn)
- [AI Security and Assurance Technical Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-security-and-assurance-technical-lead-agile-defense-tampa-7pqptp5w7tzs) — Tampa, FL
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