Senior Lead Software Engineer - Network Infrastructure and Automation

About the role

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and delivery of software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for software-defined networks, ensuring timelines, technical requirements, and network performance standards are met across highly resilient and scalable infrastructure
• Design, develop, and implement network automation solutions and infrastructure management platforms using Python and modern web technologies to reduce manual intervention and improve operational efficiency
• Develop and maintain network automation frameworks, APIs, and tooling that integrate with network devices, controllers, and monitoring systems, writing clean, maintainable infrastructure-as-code that adheres to coding standards
• Integrate AI-driven analytics and automation capabilities into network operations to augment performance monitoring, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance workflows
• Drive adoption and governance of approved AI-assisted engineering practices across teams to improve code quality, delivery speed, and operational outcomes (e.g., AI-assisted code review/refactoring, test acceleration, release readiness, incident/root-cause analysis)
• Build and optimize containerized network applications (Kubernetes, Helm) and microservices architectures for network management and orchestration
• Develop solutions for event-driven network automation and large-scale infrastructure workflows using modern protocols and APIs
• Collaborate with network architects, security teams, product owners, and infrastructure engineers in an Agile environment, conducting code reviews and troubleshooting network applications to meet performance and reliability requirements
• Mentor engineers on network automation and infrastructure-as-code principles while influencing technical direction by evaluating emerging SDN technologies and DevSecOps methodologies
• Maintain adherence to agile development practices and modern DevSecOps workflows with a focus on security and reliability

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience in network infrastructure development and DevOps networking engineering
• Hands-on practical experience delivering system design, application development, testing, and operational stability
• Strong experience developing software with Python and Shell Scripting for network automation and infrastructure management
• Deep understanding of networking protocols and technologies including BGP, VRF, MPLS, IP, TCP, and UDP as applied to datacenter and mission-critical contexts
• Experience with VMware NSX-T or similar SDN platforms for software-defined networking solutions including logical switching, routing, load balancing, distributed firewall, and micro-segmentation
• Proficiency in Linux-based development environments and infrastructure automation
• Strong experience with distributed systems and containerized applications using technologies such as Kubernetes, Podman, or Docker
• Experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI) for infrastructure automation pipelines and infrastructure-as-code practices (Ansible, Terraform)
• Knowledge of DevSecOps tools and workflows, including version control systems like Git
• Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills with ability to decompose complex network infrastructure challenges and perform root cause analysis across distributed systems
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
• U.S. citizenship required

Qualifications

• Experience with network virtualization platforms including Cisco ACI, Calico, OVN (Open Virtual Network), or Cilium for container networking
• Knowledge of machine learning frameworks and their application to network analytics, traffic analysis, or anomaly detection
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) within engineering workflows with ability to validate outputs for correctness, performance, and security
• Experience integrating and applying LLMs to network operations workflows for force multiplication (automated documentation, incident analysis, configuration generation)
• Understanding of network visibility and analytics tools, flow telemetry, and observability frameworks
• Familiarity with network hardware integration and software-defined infrastructure controllers
• Understanding of multithreading, parallel processing, and asynchronous programming techniques as applied to network automation

Skills

• Python
• Shell Scripting
• Linux-based development environments
• Kubernetes
• Ansible
• Terraform
• CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI)
• DevSecOps tools and workflows
• Machine learning frameworks
• Network virtualization platforms
• Containerized applications
• Event-driven architectures
• Messaging systems like Kafka
• Network APIs such as RESTful services, gRPC, or NETCONF/RESTCONK
• DevSecOps tools and workflows
• Version control systems like Git
• AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code)
• Network visibility and analytics tools
• Flow telemetry
• Observability frameworks
• Network hardware integration
• Software-defined infrastructure controllers
• Multi-threading, parallel processing, and asynchronous programming techniques

Pay

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Schedule

This onsite role is based at our National Business Park, Maryland location.

Benefits

• Medical, vision and dental insurance coverage
• 401k plan
• PTO
• Holidays
• Additional insurances