Pursue Purpose

Network Engineering SME

As the Network Engineering SME, you will shape the tactical and enterprise networking underpinnings of Major Release — orchestrating SATCOM, SDR, cross-domain solutions, and software-defined networking that connect airborne platforms to the Digital Infrastructure (DI) and the broader DAF BATTLE NETWORK.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead creation of the PG network reference architecture spanning Nomad hardware, Smith software builds, and Watch node-management elements.
• Define routing schemas (BGP/OSPF/IS-IS), QoS policies, IPSec/crypto overlays, and multi-level security / cross-domain data-flow rulesets that comply with NSA and DISA STIG requirements.
• Produce SysML/CAMEO artifacts feeding the government-owned digital thread.

Integration & Lab Leadership:

• Specify and configure routers, switches, firewalls, SATCOM modems, and SDRs inside the Integration SIL; drive interface-control documentation (ICDs) for airborne PIMs.
• Develop automated test harnesses (IXIA/Test Center, Spirent, Ansible) to validate throughput, latency, packet-loss, and IA posture before DT/OT.

Dev Sec Ops  & Cyber Hygiene:

• Embed network-security controls into the PG Dev Sec Ops  pipeline; champion zero-trust principles and continuous ATO artifacts (RMF eMass packages, ACAS/SCAP scans).
• Guide implementation of Software Defined Networking (SD-WAN, Open Flow, or comparable) for dynamic airborne/ground path selection.

Fielding & Operations:

• Partner with platform SPOs and flight-test organizations to translate lab configs into flight-worthy builds; draft Interim Authorizations To Test (IATT) and airworthiness network annexes.
• Support Watch help-desk playbooks, operational runbooks, and remote monitoring dashboards (Elastic, Grafana, Prometheus).

Leadership & Mentoring:

• Serve as the chief technical adviser to Government IPT leads; brief network readiness, risk, and performance metrics at program reviews.
• Mentor mid-level engineers and ensure knowledge transfer to Government personnel.

Required Skills:

• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred) and 12+ years designing, integrating, and securing DoD or IC mission-critical IP networks.
• Deep expertise in routing/switching (Layer 2/3), SATCOM backhaul, RF/mesh networking, and transport enclaves in contested or bandwidth-limited environments.
• Demonstrated experience with cross-domain solutions, NSA Type-1 crypto, and multi-level security architectures.
• Hands-on with network test/validation tools and scripting/automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

Desired

Skills:

• CCNP/CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent expert-level certification.
• Prior work on CJADC2, ABMS, OMS/UCI, tactical data links (Link-16/22, TTNT), or airborne networking programs.
• Familiarity with containerized networking (CNI plugins, Service Mesh) and classified Dev Sec Ops  pipelines (Platform One, Iron Bank).
• Experience shepherding RMF packages through eMass to full ATO.
• Agile/Scrum or SAFe certification.