Senior Network Engineer

About the role

The Senior Network Engineer provides advanced network engineering and system administration support for local and globally distributed networks of varying sizes and configurations. This position manages virtual, mixed environments; performs remote health and status monitoring; and designs, sustains, and enhances complex computer and system architectures. Responsibilities include supporting lab systems, field deployments, and ongoing maintenance of fielded systems, as well as creating and maintaining system documentation and installing network equipment and infrastructure at local and field sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide network engineering support for local and globally distributed networks across a range of sizes and configurations.
• Manage and administer a pool of virtual, mixed environments to ensure availability, performance, and security.
• Perform remote health and status monitoring of network and system assets and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Design, sustain, and enhance computer and system architectures in support of mission requirements.
• Act as a System Administrator for both in-house equipment and fielded systems, including large, geographically distributed systems-of-systems.
• Provide engineering support for network processor research labs, including fielding systems and supporting fielded capabilities.
• Incorporate new technologies into advanced development prototypes for next-generation front-end systems.
• Create, sustain, and enhance system documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Perform physical installation of network equipment, racks, and infrastructure, including fiber optic and copper cabling, both locally and at field sites.
• Construct and maintain complex networks involving switching, routing, and firewalls, using both physical (e.g., Cisco, Brocade, Palo Alto) and virtual (e.g., VMware Distributed Switching) solutions.
• Apply expert-level knowledge of routing and VPN protocols, including OSPF, EIGRP, and DMVPN.
• Utilize knowledge of software-defined networking (SDN), specifically VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN), in the design and operation of advanced network solutions.
• Administer Linux systems, including server installation via PXE (e.g., Cobbler/Kickstart), producing RPMs for custom software installations, and deploying Ubuntu and RedHat distributions.
• Reconfigure and recompile Linux kernels to meet mission-specific performance and security requirements.
• Contribute to GUI development efforts associated with system and network management tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technically similar field from an accredited college or university; four (4) years of additional network engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
• Within the last ten (10) years, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience:
  • Establishing LANs, including the creation and configuration of common network services.
  • Assembling and configuring equipment racks comprised of RAIDs, switches, and Linux hosts, as well as installing fiber optic and copper cabling.
  • Administering Linux systems, including:
    • Installation of servers using PXE (e.g., Cobbler/Kickstart).
    • Producing RPMs for custom software installations.
    • Installation and administration of Ubuntu and RedHat distributions.
• Experience with large system administration (>100 nodes) for geographically distributed systems-of-systems.
• Experience programming in C and/or C++.
• Demonstrated experience with reconfiguration and recompiling of Linux kernels.
• Demonstrated experience with GUI development.
• Compliant with DoD 8570 requirements and certified in operating system.

Qualifications

Must possess at least two (2) of the following certifications:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• RedHat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
• Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Skills

• Experience working with complex network infrastructures involving multi-vendor environments and both physical and virtual networking components.
• Strong background in Linux-based system and network administration in operational environments.
• Experience integrating emerging technologies into existing network architectures and advanced prototype systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineers, analysts, and mission partners to ensure system performance, reliability, and security.

Pay

Salary Range: $102,000 – $255,000. The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity, as well as alignment with market data.

About Us

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, with seven innovative vehicles part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401K with company matching.
• 9/80 work schedule.
• Paid holiday shutdown.

This position requires access to information subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under ITAR and EAR. A “U.S. person” is defined as a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.