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Jobs · Information Technology · Colorado

Director of Network Engineering

NAVXCOM · Englewood, CO · 1 mo ago
On-siteInformation TechnologyFull-time

About NAVXCOM

NAVXCOM is a space technology company developing advanced navigation, communication, and computing infrastructure for lunar, martian, and deep-space missions. Our mission is to enable reliable, secure, and cost-effective space operations.

Role Overview

NAVXCOM is seeking a strategic Director of Network Engineering to architect the digital nervous system of our deep-space and terrestrial communications infrastructure. You will lead the development of our end-to-end network architecture, bridging high-performance cloud computing environments with terrestrial ground stations and interplanetary routing systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define the end-to-end network and cloud computing architecture: from terrestrial cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure) to ground station gateways and orbital communication nodes.

  • Architect the routing and switching topologies that enable seamless data transfer across space-to-ground and space-to-space links.

  • Develop the strategy for data storage, edge computing on spacecraft, and the implementation of Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) and the Bundle Protocol (BP).

  • Design highly available, fault-tolerant network architectures incorporating redundancy, automated failover, and self-healing capabilities to ensure continuous mission operations.

  • Directly design, execute, and provision all initial cloud infrastructure, leveraging Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible) and container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker).

  • Perform low-level, hands-on configuration of virtual private clouds (VPCs), firewalls, VPNs, dynamic routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) infrastructure.

  • Develop network automation using Python, REST APIs, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and CI/CD pipelines to deliver secure, repeatable, and resilient network deployments.

  • Collaborate with RF Engineering, Flight Software, and MS&I to seamlessly integrate network protocols with radio transceivers, software-defined radios (SDRs), phased-array systems, and flight computers.

  • Collaborate with Systems Engineering to balance network computing loads with strict spacecraft power and thermal budgets.

  • Apply these highly resilient networking principles to terrestrial markets, providing uninterrupted cloud and edge computing solutions for remote industrial, maritime, or defense applications.

  • Lead the recruitment and mentoring of a team of network engineers, cloud architects, cybersecurity specialists, and systems administrators (post-funding).

  • Enforce rigorous network design, review, and deployment standards appropriate for mission-critical infrastructure.

Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

  • Experience: 10+ years in network engineering, cloud architecture, or systems administration, with significant experience designing networks for high-reliability, defense, or telecom environments.

  • Core Competency: Expert proficiency in cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible), and modern routing/switching protocols. Deep Linux/UNIX expertise.

  • Environment: Experience designing, deploying, and securing networks for regulated industries (e.g., DoD, aerospace, critical infrastructure) using Zero Trust frameworks.

  • Citizenship: U.S. citizen with active TS security clearance or clear eligibility to obtain one.

  • Mindset: A "Test-Like-You-Fly" mentality combined with exceptional collaborative skills to integrate systems cross-functionally and iterate quickly in a hands-on startup environment.

  • Preferred Qualifications: Deep expertise in space communication protocols, specifically Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards and Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN). Experience with Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and cloud-native networking applied to telecommunications, SATCOM, or space-based communication systems. Hands-on familiarity with cybersecurity compliance frameworks (NIST, CMMC, RMF). Previous experience in a technical leadership role within a deep-tech or space startup. Experience designing or integrating terrestrial IP networks with Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), or deep-space communication architectures.

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