Principal Network Engineer

Network Engineer At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation's health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future. The L614 - Intelligent Network Services Department within MITRE Technology and Engineering specializes in complex network challenges vital to national well-being. This position is for the Teleport Program Office (TPO) project that is seeking a Network Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and delivery support for modernized Teleport management, control, and service orchestration capabilities. This role will develop an enterprise Teleport management and control reference/solution architecture that supports DISA Teleport and mission partner operations, including situational awareness, common operational picture, automated SATCOM service fulfillment, automated resource planning, end device provisioning, and dashboarding of Teleport resources. This individual will serve as a hands-on technical leader responsible for translating approved architecture and operational requirements into operator-ready capabilities. The role also includes product ownership support, vendor oversight, acquisition support, and coordination across the broader DoD SATCOM community to ensure the Teleport solution integrates effectively with adjacent programs and systems. The work location and clearance include: Active SECRET clearance required 100% onsite at DISA Headquarters, Fort Meade Travel required in support of stakeholder coordination, vendor engagement, and integration activities Roles & Responsibilities: Lead the architecture, design, and documentation of enterprise, hybrid, and specialized network environments Develop system architecture enabling automated resource planning and end device provisioning across the Teleport Program Define reference architectures, standards, implementation patterns, and best practices Design and implement network automation solutions to improve provisioning, configuration management, compliance, and operational efficiency Design APIs and integration patterns to enable interoperability with adjacent tools, platforms, and operational systems Translate approved architecture and requirements into deployable, operator-ready orchestration capabilities Support acquisition-related efforts by helping define technical and programmatic objectives tied to Teleport automation goals Assess and advise government stakeholders on the effectiveness of the selected vendor's implementation Remain closely involved in day-to-day vendor activities to ensure technical quality and mission alignment Represent the Teleport Program Office across the DoD SATCOM community and coordinate dependencies with external organizations Drive initiative from concept to execution by independently defining key tasks, evaluating solutions with project sponsors, and advocating for optimal outcomes. Serve as a trusted technical advisor across multi-contractor teams, leveraging deep subject matter expertise to mentor peers, foster collaboration, and guide technical direction. Basic Qualifications: Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related experience and work experience. Deep expertise in network architecture, design, and documentation Strong experience with network automation Experience with provisioning orchestration and service delivery automation Experience designing network APIs and system integrations Experience translating architecture and requirements into operational capabilities Strong understanding of routing, switching, resiliency, service assurance, and operational network design Experience developing reference architectures, solution designs, and technical standards TCP/IP (IPv4/IPv6), OSI model, DNS, DHCP, NAT WAN technologies such as SD-WAN, MPLS, and metro Ethernet/E-line Routing concepts and protocols including segment routing, BGP, OSPF, and ISIS Switching technologies including VLAN, VXLAN, link aggregation, access control features Cloud networking, including hybrid cloud/on-premises designs Virtualization concepts including network virtualization, containers, and hypervisors NMS/EMS concepts and operational Management and Control (M&C) environments, including NetOps functions such as monitoring, logging, and performance management Must have an active Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance. This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site Preferred Qualifications: Experience with SATCOM networks and Teleport or similar ground infrastructure Experience supporting common operational picture or situational awareness platforms Experience with ServiceNow ITOM and CMDB management Familiarity with CDS/CDES and AWS Diode technologies Background in cyber security and network security engineering Experience with Cisco 9300/9300X, HAIPE/TACLANE, Versa, Viasat, and iDirect Familiarity with DISA, mission partner, or broader DoD SATCOM operational environments Knowledge of SATCOM terrestrial infrastructure and commercial SATCOM provider offerings The ideal candidate is a systems-minded, strategic technical leader who can define architecture, guide implementation, oversee vendor execution, and coordinate across stakeholders to deliver resilient, integrated, operator-ready Teleport capabilities in a mission-critical environment. This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s): Secret This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s): Top Secret Salary compensation range and midpoint: $162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 Annual Work Location Type: Onsite Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for general support and View email address on click.appcast.io for intern positions. 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