Network and Systems Engineer

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.

Nightwing is seeking a Senior Network Engineer / Systems Engineer who thrives on diving deep into complex software-defined networking architectures and modular platform internals. Join a team at the forefront of advancing next-generation network control systems that strengthen our nation’s security with cutting-edge technologies. You’ll be instrumental in evaluating, extending, and optimizing SDN controller platforms to meet mission-critical requirements. Nightwing develops strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions that secure the interests of the U.S. and its partners.

Our collaborative environment embraces creativity, integrity, and constant improvement. With access to state-of-the-art tools, opportunities to grow professionally, and meaningful work alongside the nation’s finest service members, you’ll help shape tomorrow’s solutions today.

This is an ONSITE position based out of our National Business Park, Maryland location.

• Conduct deep technical analysis of software-defined networking controller architectures, including core modules, southbound/northbound plugins, and internal service dependencies
• Evaluate existing SDN platform capabilities against mission requirements to determine gaps and necessary extensions
• Architect and design custom modules, plugins, and features to extend platform functionality for specialized networking needs
• Perform detailed code analysis of controller internals, understanding the interactions between core services, data abstraction layers, and protocol plugins
• Assess whether requirements should be implemented as additions to the existing architecture or as separate modular components
• Design and prototype southbound protocol plugins for specialized network devices and protocols
• Develop northbound API extensions and custom applications that leverage network programmability capabilities
• Analyze platform performance characteristics, identify bottlenecks, and recommend optimization strategies for high-scale deployments
• Work with data models to define structures for network device configuration and operational state
• Evaluate integration points with external systems, network orchestration platforms, and management tools
• Document architectural decisions, technical trade-offs, and implementation strategies for platform customizations
• Collaborate with software engineers to implement and test custom modules and extensions
• Stay current with SDN community developments, emerging technologies, and industry best practices

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field
• 7+ years of experience in network engineering, systems engineering, or software-defined networking
• Deep hands‑on experience with software-defined networking (SDN) controller platforms including architecture, deployment, and customization
• Strong understanding of model‑driven architectures and service abstraction layers in SDN controllers
• Expertise in network protocols including Open Flow, NETCONF, RESTCONF, BGP, OSPF, and SNMP
• Proficiency with YANG data modeling for network device configuration and state…