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Position Summary

The Principal Network Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for the architecture, integration, sustainment, modernization, and operational performance of enterprise and mission network infrastructures supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs and operational environments. This position provides technical leadership across complex network and Cross Domain Solution (CDS) architectures spanning multiple classified and unclassified environments, ensuring reliable, secure, and mission-ready communications capabilities.

The Principal Network Engineer leads the design, engineering, integration, testing, accreditation, deployment, and lifecycle management of enterprise networking and data transport capabilities. This role is responsible for establishing technical direction, evaluating emerging technologies, defining architecture standards, resolving complex technical challenges, and providing engineering oversight throughout program execution.

This position serves as a primary technical interface with government stakeholders, program leadership, cybersecurity organizations, systems engineering teams, operational support personnel, and external mission partners to ensure integrated network solutions align with mission requirements, cybersecurity mandates, operational objectives, and long-term modernization strategies.

The role requires deep expertise in Cross Domain Solutions, secure data transfer architectures, network segmentation, enclave connectivity, transport engineering, mission data dissemination, and enterprise network security. The Principal Network Engineer serves as a subject matter expert for CDS architecture and accreditation activities, including Site-Based Security Assessments (SBSAs), Raise the Bar (RTB) 2.0 requirements, National Cross Domain Strategy & Management Office (NCDSMO) policies, RMF implementation, STIG compliance, and DoD cybersecurity standards.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, engineering, integration, modernization, and sustainment of enterprise LAN/WAN and mission network infrastructures supporting multiple operational programs and environments.
• Serve as the principal technical authority for network engineering and Cross Domain Solution implementations across program, site, and enterprise-level architectures.
• Develop and maintain network architecture strategies, technical standards, engineering roadmaps, and modernization plans aligned with mission and program objectives.
• Lead the design, integration, testing, validation, accreditation, deployment, and transition-to-operations of complex network and CDS capabilities.
• Define network architectures, transport solutions, routing strategies, security boundary designs, and secure data transfer approaches supporting mission operations and information-sharing requirements.
• Provide technical leadership during major integration events, mission exercises, site deployments, and operational readiness activities.
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of highly complex network, transport, interoperability, and CDS integration issues that impact mission operations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, architectures, and engineering approaches to improve network resilience, scalability, cybersecurity posture, and operational effectiveness.
• Establish engineering processes, design standards, configuration management practices, and implementation guidance to ensure consistency across programs and environments.
• Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, technical interchange meetings, engineering working groups, and customer technical briefings.
• Provide oversight and approval of network configurations, implementation plans, testing methodologies, technical documentation, and operational transition packages.
• Ensure compliance with RMF, STIGs, RTB 2.0 requirements, NCDSMO guidance, DoD cybersecurity policies, and applicable accreditation requirements.
• Lead accreditation planning and technical support activities for CDS deployments, including SBSAs, security documentation, data flow assessments, risk mitigation strategies, and cybersecurity reviews.
• Identify technical risks, architecture gaps, operational vulnerabilities, and integration challenges while developing mitigation strategies and engineering recommendations.
• Mentor senior and junior engineers, provide technical leadership across engineering teams, and support workforce development initiatives.
• Support business development efforts through technical solution development, proposal support, basis-of-estimate generation, architecture documentation, and customer engagement activities.

Site-Specific Configuration Details

• Serve as the senior technical advisor to program leadership, chief engineers, government customers, and operational stakeholders on network and CDS architecture matters.
• Lead technical reviews, architecture assessments, integration planning activities, and engineering governance boards.
• Guide cross-functional teams through complex system integration, accreditation, modernization, and deployment efforts.
• Ensure enterprise network and CDS architectures comply with all applicable cybersecurity, accreditation, and mission assurance requirements.
• Coordinate engineering efforts across multiple sites, programs, operational environments, and mission partners.
• Lead vulnerability mitigation planning and implementation strategies for network and CDS infrastructures.
• Review and approve network engineering documentation, architecture products, implementation plans, and operational procedures.
• Provide technical leadership during site installations, operational assessments, mission exercises, and customer readiness reviews.
• Develop and communicate long-term strategies for network modernization, technology refresh initiatives, and capability enhancements.
• Establish engineering best practices and mentor technical teams in network architecture, CDS engineering, and operational integration.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related technical discipline.
• 8–12+ years of progressively responsible experience in network engineering, systems integration, enterprise architecture, or mission network operations supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, or similarly complex environments.
• Extensive experience designing, architecting, integrating, and sustaining enterprise network infrastructures including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, cryptographic devices, transport systems, and Cross Domain Solutions supporting mission-critical operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale network integration efforts, technical modernization initiatives, architecture development, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Expert knowledge of TCP/IP networking, routing protocols, multicast, transport architectures, network segmentation, virtualization, software-defined networking, encryption technologies, and secure communications architectures.
• Extensive experience with Cross Domain Solution architecture, secure data transfer mechanisms, security boundary design, mission data dissemination frameworks, and accreditation processes including SBSAs, RTB 2.0, and NCDSMO requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical decision-making, perform architecture trade studies, evaluate emerging technologies, and develop strategic engineering recommendations.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, chief engineers, government stakeholders, cybersecurity organizations, and operational customers.
• Experience leading engineering reviews, architectural assessments, technical investigations, and risk management activities across multiple programs or operational environments.

Clearance & Travel Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance required with SCI eligibility.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all customer-required accesses and special program authorizations.
• CONUS and OCONUS travel will be required periodically.
• Travel may include government facilities, operational sites, integration labs, mission exercises, accreditation assessments, and customer engagement activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Lead Engineer, Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or Network Architect supporting large-scale DoD or Intelligence Community programs.
• Extensive experience with DoD operational, ISR, and DISA transport network architectures supporting mission-critical communications and information-sharing environments.
• Experience leading CDS architecture development, accreditation strategies, Site-Based Security Assessments (SBSAs), and enterprise data-sharing initiatives.
• Deep familiarity with Raise the Bar (RTB) 2.0, NCDSMO requirements, RMF, STIGs, DoD cybersecurity compliance processes, and enterprise accreditation frameworks.
• Experience developing network modernization strategies involving cloud, hybrid-cloud, software-defined networking (SDN), network automation, infrastructure-as-code, and zero-trust architectures.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CCIE, CISSP, JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, Azure Network Engineer Associate, or equivalent advanced technical certifications.
• Experience supporting proposal development, capture efforts, technical solutioning, and strategic growth initiatives.

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Cubic Pay Range:

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The Cubic pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic under applicable law.