SPACECOM Network Systems Engineer

About the role

Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. is seeking a visionary individual to lead the design and architecture of next-generation space-ground network solutions. This role involves applying AI/ML techniques for network automation, intelligent routing, traffic optimization, and predictive maintenance across various satellite and terrestrial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of next-generation space-ground network solutions that are agile, adaptive, and resilient for inclusion in government proposals.
• Apply AI/ML techniques for network automation, intelligent routing, traffic optimization, and predictive maintenance across heterogeneous satellite and terrestrial systems.
• Create customer-specific technology roadmaps that balance innovation ambition with realistic adoption timelines, recognizing that not all customers are ready for AI-enabled solutions.
• Collaborate with business development, capture teams, and program managers to translate technical capabilities into compelling value propositions and winning solutions.
• Architect secure integration between mission networks and commercial cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), including edge processing and hybrid data transport.
• Ensure interoperability across government, commercial, and international partner networks, defining and applying standards for protocols, interfaces, and cross-domain communications.
• Apply federal cybersecurity frameworks and mission assurance requirements to network architecture design, including Zero Trust and DoD security standards.
• Mentor, train, and/or educate technical staff on modern network architectures and AI-enabled capabilities, ensuring knowledge transfer and reducing single-point-of-failure risks.
• Articulate technical solutions and their mission impact to senior leadership, customers, and governance review boards.
• Lead and contribute to technical analyses of architectures of space-to-space and space-to-ground data transport networks.
• Conduct comprehensive threat assessments of space data transport systems, including jamming, spoofing, cyber, and kinetic threats.
• Assess adversary capabilities to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy space communication systems.
• Perform kill chain analysis to identify system vulnerabilities and inform mitigation strategies.
• Analyze foreign space communication capabilities and their implications for U.S. space operations.
• Analyze data transport characteristics and performance constraints across multi-domain communication architectures.
• Review and assess CONOPS for networked space systems.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience with a BS/BA in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or related field; OR 6+ years with MS/MA in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or related field; OR 4+ years with PhD with relevant research focus.
• Minimum of Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. The candidate must maintain the clearance.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale heterogeneous network architectures involving satellite communications (LEO, MEO, GEO constellations, cislunar, and/or deep space) and ground-based systems.
• Hands-on experience with modern networks (agile, software-defined, and adaptive architectures) with strong knowledge of IP networking, RF systems, optical transport, and secure communications architectures.
• Working knowledge of AI/ML applications for network automation, intelligent routing, or predictive analytics.
• End-to-end understanding of space-ground network systems including network topology, routing protocols, ground segment integration, and enterprise network management.
• Experience architecting large-scale, mission-critical networks for government or defense programs to include leading or contributing to the transition of legacy systems to new architectures.
• Experience with systems engineering tasks across the full lifecycle: design, architecture, development, integration, test, and transition of ground systems.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and hybrid network architectures.

Desired Qualifications

• Active/current TS/SCI
• Direct experience supporting NRO, NGA, USSF, DIA, NASA, or NOAA missions and programs.
• Understanding or experience with optical communications (ground to space) as part of ground base systems.
• Familiarity with Space Development Agency (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) or similar next-generation space network initiatives.
• Experience with software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), and intent-based networking.
• Knowledge of optical inter-satellite links, mesh networking, and delay-tolerant networking protocols.
• Experience with cybersecurity frameworks including Zero Trust, RMF, and IC/DoD mission assurance requirements.
• Experience designing for contested/degraded/intermittent (CDI) environments.
• Exposure to DevSecOps practices for network infrastructure and operations.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or cloud networking certifications.