Okay, I've searched for Consulting Network/Systems Engineer roles in Washington, DC, requiring 8+ years of enterprise networking experience, full-time positions, with Cisco and MPLS skills. I have found 42 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

This Consulting Network/Systems Engineer role is fundamentally about being a technical leader and trusted advisor who bridges complex enterprise networking solutions with critical mission-focused outcomes for public sector clients in Washington, DC. The position requires mastery over advanced Cisco networking technologies within data center and enterprise environments, driving network design, optimization, and operational reliability. Beyond technical prowess, the role demands a consultative mindset: influencing diverse stakeholders from IT teams to senior business executives, translating technology capabilities into business value, and steering service delivery for excellence. Candidates must navigate ambiguous and complex challenges involving high-stakes network uptime and security, often solving escalated technical problems with creativity and deep expertise. Success means not only delivering robust, scalable network solutions but also fostering trusted client relationships, enabling customer transformations, and continuously evolving both expertise and delivery methods. The need for certifications like CCIE signals both a high technical standard and an ability to operate at industry-leading levels. Proficiency in automation tools or scripting, while a plus, points toward a future-ready approach emphasizing efficiency and innovation. Overall, this role expects someone comfortable with autonomy, capable of leading technical engagements end-to-end, and skilled in balancing detailed engineering with strategic customer advocacy.

Company Analysis:

Apex Systems operates as a global IT services powerhouse known for embedding itself deeply in its clients’ digital transformations, with a strong foothold in strategy, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise platforms. As part of ASGN Incorporated, Apex benefits from significant scale and resources, supporting a diverse range of industries including the public sector. This role’s placement within Apex’s public sector network engineering practice reflects the company’s commitment to technology leadership and trusted service delivery in mission-critical environments like government agencies. Culture at Apex values innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and consultant wellbeing, suggesting a supportive environment that fosters career development through training, certifications, and coaching. The consultative and technically senior nature of this role aligns well with Apex’s emphasis on trusted advisor relationships and operational excellence. Candidates can expect to work in an environment where thought leadership, customer advocacy, and proactive problem-solving are crucial. Organizationally, this role likely sits as a senior individual contributor or team lead with visibility across customer and internal teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills alongside technical acumen. The role directly supports Apex’s strategic goals of delivering scalable, secure network environments that enable client mission success, particularly in complex government ecosystems — making this hire both a growth driver and a key stability factor in Apex’s expanding public sector footprint.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a complex network outage under significant pressure. How did you approach the situation and communicate with stakeholders?
• Behavioral: Describe an instance where you influenced a non-technical senior leader to adopt a technology solution. What strategies did you use to gain their confidence?
• Behavioral: Give an example of how you worked effectively within a cross-functional team to deliver a technical project. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• Behavioral: How have you handled ambiguity in a previous role, especially when requirements or objectives were unclear?
• Technical: Can you explain how you would design a scalable MPLS network for a multi-site government agency? What protocols and Cisco platforms would you leverage?
• Technical: Describe your experience troubleshooting BGP or OSPF issues in a complex enterprise or data center environment. What tools and diagnostic methods do you rely on?
• Technical: How would you incorporate automation, such as Ansible or Python scripting, into network operations to enhance reliability and efficiency?
• Technical: Walk me through how you would approach optimizing quality of service (QoS) across a large, latency-sensitive network.
• Situational: Imagine a key customer escalates an issue where network latency is impacting mission-critical communications, but the root cause is not obvious. How do you lead the resolution?
• Situational: Suppose you discover a security vulnerability in a live network that your customer is relying on heavily. What immediate and longer-term steps do you take?
• Situational: You are tasked with presenting a network modernization strategy to skeptical stakeholders concerned about costs and risk. How would you prepare and deliver your message?
• Company Fit: Why does working at Apex Systems, specifically supporting the public sector, appeal to you at this point in your career?
• Company Fit: How do your personal values and professional growth goals align with Apex's culture of innovation, continuous learning, and customer advocacy?
• Company Fit: Given Apex’s emphasis on collaboration and technical leadership, how do you see yourself contributing uniquely to the network engineering team?
• Questions for Interviewer: What does success look like in this role after the first 6 to 12 months, and how is it measured?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe the typical team structure and key internal/external stakeholders this role interacts with regularly?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does Apex support ongoing professional development and certification maintenance for technical consultants in roles like this?