Principal Network Engineer

About the Role

Join our team as a Principal Network Engineer and be at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in network engineering. You will provide visionary leadership in the design, implementation, and maintenance of cutting-edge network solutions. This role demands exceptional technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to network security and reliability.

The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection, and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial, and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering, and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space, and cyber.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of the organization’s network infrastructure.
• Design and implement highly advanced and secure network architectures.
• Serve as the top-tier escalation point for the most complex network issues.
• Drive the adoption of new technologies and best practices within the network engineering team.
• Mentor and inspire junior, intermediate, and senior network engineers.
• Provide top-tier support for network incidents and service requests.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of network security policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align network initiatives with business goals.
• Conduct comprehensive network performance and capacity planning.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior network engineers and IT staff.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Stay current with emerging networking technologies and industry best practices.
• Recommend, design, and implement improvements to network infrastructure and processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 14 years of related experience is required. Higher-level relevant degrees may substitute for experience.
• 12+ years of experience in a related field.
• Mastery of network protocols and services (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
• Extensive experience with Cisco networking equipment and advanced networking technologies.
• Experience supporting a corporate network, maintaining SLAs, and providing support to corporate IT departments.
• Experience designing and managing network implementation projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.
• Expertise in Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) WAN, Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and emerging networking technologies.
• Strong background in network security and compliance.
• Proven track record of leading and managing complex network projects.
• Extensive and demonstrated hands-on expertise with a wide variety of network-related tools, concepts, technologies, best practices, and security procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of MPLS, DNS, DHCP, and directional wireless.
• Extensive experience with network hardware, protocols, and media including but not limited to Fiber Optics, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Internetwork Operating System (IOS), SD-WAN, DNS, DHCP, and wireless.
• Experience in past roles as a principal network engineer or architect.
• Hands-on experience with network automation platforms.
• Experience engineering zero trust networking solutions.

Essential Functions

• Must be able to lift 25 lbs regularly.
• Work primarily at a computer for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hand/finger dexterity for computer work.
• Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• The ability to participate in after-hours on-call duties.

Benefits

• Annual incentive pay based upon performance.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
• Life insurance.
• 3 weeks paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Security Clearance

This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants.