Network Engineer

Network Operations Principal EngineerTechnical Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)Sr Manager, Information Workplace Services P5Raytheon Digital TechnologyClassified TransformationTucson, AZ - Onsite PositionActive Secret Clearance requiredAt RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today's mission and stay ahead of tomorrow's threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedom and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.The Classified Infrastructure Services department provides expertise in Data Center Management, Network Operations, and High-Performance Computing that our programs and Engineering teams rely on to fulfill their missions. Reporting to the Network Operations Associate Director as a Network Operations Principal Networking Engineer (P5), you will serve as the senior technical advisor (Subject Matter Expert/SME) to resolve technical or complex escalations with standard and non-standard solutions and drive network innovation, leading improvement in network performance and reliability. You will provide mentorship and technical guidance to the networking department. You will Collaborate with cross functional partners, and SBU/Program leads to identify inefficiencies and recommend solutions to transform our network operations team to new levels of excellence.This role is primarily on-site supporting our Tucson, AZ campus locations. Travel is required throughout regional areas of responsibility (up to 25%)What You Will Do:The Principal Network Engineer (P5), Network Operations for Classified Infrastructure Services within Raytheon Digital Technology. This role will serve as the senior technical advisor to respond to technical or complex escalations with standard and non-standard solutions within our programs. Collaborating with a team of various levels of Network support professionals responsible for secure, reliable, scalable, and supportable network services.This position requires the ability to identify systemic inefficiencies, delivering measurable performance improvements, identifying opportunities for innovation, providing input to review boards, and communicating with parties within and outside of own function.This role oversees and manages major projects, ensuring all technical designs and network changes are thoroughly reviewed and properly executed. The position participates in budget planning and the development of operational guidelines, while also driving the creation of new standard operating procedures and team practices. The principal engineer will provide leadership with clear presentations and status updates on key project initiatives and will be responsible for implementing new technology innovations across the organization. Relocation may be available if the selected applicant meets company policy criteria.The following Technical and Leadership skills are critical for success in this role:Functional StrategyThis principal network engineer should be a recognized SME within discipline, having deep knowledge of organizational practices within a specific discipline. Will drive the development and implementation of new products, processes, standards, and operational plans that deliver measurable impact on functional goals and enterprise performance.Organizational ImpactOwns and develops key components of functional strategy and short? to medium?term operational goals (1–2 years), directing impactful activities and implementing new products, processes, policies, standards, or operating plans aligned to the functional strategy.Problem Solving & ComplexitySolves numerous complex and often undefined problems requiring extensive investigation and deep root?cause analysis across functions and programs. Drives improvement of existing systems and processes through advanced conceptual reasoning and integration of industry best practices. Provides Tier 3/4 escalation support for highly complex classified network issues, leading deep technical troubleshooting across routing, switching, firewalls, segmentation, encryption devices, WAN circuits, and secure communication systems. Engineer novel solutions for emerging mission requirements, system integrations, and high?availability architectures while conducting advanced technology evaluations, trade studies, and recommendations for secure networking capabilities.Communication and InfluenceCollaborates with Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Operations, and external partners to ensure network solutions meet enterprise, mission, and security requirements. Interfaces directly with teams outside your organization to align designs, requirements, and technical implementation across programs. Actively participates in major design forums, technical working groups, and engineering review boards, providing senior engineering expertise for proposals and new program captures. Communicates effectively with stakeholders inside and outside the organization—including customers and vendors—and influences adoption of new concepts, practices, and approaches. Regularly briefs executive leadership on matters of significant organizational impact.Leadership & Talent ManagementDevelops annual strategic plans and technical vision aligned with functional and program goals, while owning multi?year network engineering and technology refresh roadmaps that guide lifecycle management and modernization. Leads major engineering initiatives across classified environments—including upgrades, redesigns, segmentation enhancements, secure communications improvements, and WAN/transport modernization—and drives simplification, resiliency, and modernization across engineering processes and systems.Knowledge & ExperienceDemonstrates expert-level mastery of the functional domain, supported by advanced education and extensive experience (typically 10+ years, or 7+ with an advanced degree), with deep knowledge of related disciplines and the ability to assess cross-functional impacts. Provides strong team leadership through mentoring engineers and junior technical staff, developing training plans to strengthen technical capability, and owning the refinement and creation of engineering SOPs, processes, and best practices. Regularly communicates technical status, major engineering decisions, and strategic updates to executives and senior leadership.Qualifications You Must HaveTypically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years' experienceExperience as network engineer for classified, enterprise-class Cisco-based Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN/WAN) with in-depth Layer 2 and Layer 3 experienceExperience with boundary protection technologies (preferably Palo Alto)Integrate new capabilities including hardware, software, operating systems, and applications leveraging knowledge across all digital domains to speed deployment.Certification meeting 8570 IAT Level III or 8140 Advanced for Network Operations Specialist (e.g. CCNP Security, CISSP, or CASP+) and Professional- or Expert-level Cisco certification (e.g. CCNP or CCIE)Active and transferable U.S. Government issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.Experience deploying and operating a variety of Cisco-based technologies (You should have 2 or more of the following):Software Defined Networking (SD-WAN (preferred), Catalyst Center/SD-Access, and Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI))Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for 802.1x and AAACisco Unified Communications Manager and/or Cisco Meeting ServerQualifications We PreferStrong communication skills, with ability to influence and drive change with peers and leaders across the organization.Experience as an SME or technical advisor in a fast-paced program environment.Demonstrated success in managing projects and leading change efforts in a Digital Technology domain.Extensive experience of critical infrastructure systems such as Microsoft Active Directory Services (AD, DNS, CS, etc.), Linux configuration and operation, ESXi, and NAS/SANExperience installing and operating SNMP-based network management tools (e.g. SolarWinds)Experience briefing senior leaders on projectsCertified RTX CORE Professional or higherActive and transferable U.S. Government issued Top Secret security clearanceWhat we offer:Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.Relocation - this role is relocation eligible if the applicant meets company policy criteria.Learn More & Apply Now!Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee