Sr Network Engineer

Job Title: Principal Network Engineer – Mission Performance & Security Systems

Job Description

In this position, you will serve as a Principal Network Engineer supporting multiple advanced defense and space programs with a primary focus on the Space Development Agency (SDA), U.S. Space Force, and other DoD customers. You will provide technical leadership for engineering teams responsible for designing, integrating, securing, testing, and evaluating space-based network architectures supporting nextgeneration satellite constellations and mission systems. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience leading network engineering efforts supporting space systems, satellite communications (SATCOM), mission operations centers, and ground infrastructure. Experience designing secure end-to-end communications across satellites, tactical users, terrestrial networks, cloud environments, and ground stations is highly desirable. Experience working with commercial and government satellite operators, telecommunications providers, cloud service providers, and defense contractors on both technical and contractual matters is required. The candidate must be capable of directly interfacing with customers on highly technical engineering issues, systems architecture, technical risk management, and program execution. Strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and outstanding analytical and problem‑solving abilities are essential. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the candidate will lead engineering efforts supporting research, development, integration, testing, cyber assessments, and operational evaluation of networking technologies. Responsibilities include Secure integration of space communications components and systems; Network modeling and simulation; Technology demonstrations; Prototype evaluations; Mission assurance assessment support; Network performance analysis; Communications resiliency assessments; and Zero Trust implementation across hybrid network environments. Must have an active Security Clearance. TS/SCI Preferred.

Responsibilities

• 10+ years designing engineering, integrating, or operating secure network infrastructures supporting space systems and defense communications architectures
• 10+ years of experience supporting space vehicle communications, ground systems, mission operations, and satellite networking
• 10+ years designing enterprise and tactical IP networks including IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, Ethernet switching, MPLS, SDN, QoS, WAN/LAN/MAN, multicast, and network resiliency
• 5+ years leading technical teams supporting satellite networking, mission operations centers, ground stations, or hybrid terrestrial/non‑terrestrial networking
• 5+ years managing technical projects involving telecommunications providers, satellite operators, cloud providers, equipment manufacturers, and government customers.
• 3+ years supporting cybersecurity engineering including Zero Trust Architecture, network segmentation, firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, RMF, DoD STIG implementation, vulnerability assessments, and cyber testing
• Experience integrating commercial and government space systems into resilient mission architectures.
• Experience supporting space networking test events, mission rehearsals, operational demonstrations, or developmental test activities

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with FPGA-based or embedded systems integration in laboratory environments.
• Experience with commercial LEO and MEO constellations and operators (e.g., SpaceX Starlink, OneWeb/Eutelsat, Amazon Kuiper, Telesat Lightspeed, SES/O3b mPOWER, Iridium)
• Experience with space-to-space (inter‑satellite) networking and routing across proliferated LEO meshes, including optical inter‑satellite links (OISL)/laser crosslinks and RF crosslinks
• Experience with direct‑to‑device / direct‑to‑cell and 3GPP Non‑Terrestrial Networks (NTN), including satellite‑hosted LTE eNodeB or 5G gNodeB interfaces (e.g., Starlink Direct to Cell, AST SpaceMobile, Lynk)
• Experience with adaptive link management for LEO (e.g., ALMM) and dynamic resource and beam management
• Experience with Ground‑Station‑as‑a‑Service and virtualized ground segments (e.g., AWS Ground Station, Azure Orbital, KSAT, Viasat RealTime Earth).
• Experience with SDA Transport Layer or similar proliferated LEO architectures.
• Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, SDA, Missile Defense Agency, NASA, or commercial satellite operators
• Experience with Software Defined Satellites
• Experience with cloud‑native networking supporting space missions
• Experience with network automation using Python, Ansible, Terraform, or REST APIs
• Experience with digital engineering and Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Experience supporting cyber assessments across satellite and ground infrastructures.
• Ability to clearly communicate highly technical engineering concepts to executive leadership and non‑technical stakeholders

Required Certifications

• CISSP
• CCNP Enterprise
• CCNP Security
• CCIE Enterprise Security

Preferred Certifications

• Sec+
• CASP+
• AWS Advanced Networking
• AWS Security Specialty

Space Systems Networking

Space vehicle communications architectures, satellite payload networking, inter‑satellite networking concepts, mission data transport architectures, space transport layer networking concepts, and software‑defined satellite networking.

Network Engineering

IPv4/IPv6, MPLS, Software Defined Networking (SDN), segment routing, QoS, multicast, network automation, Continuity of Operations (COOP).

Ground Systems

Ground stations, satellite operations centers (SOC) / mission operations centers (MOC) / network operations centers (NOC), ground infrastructure modernization, tactical communications nodes.

Cybersecurity Responsibilities

Zero Trust Architecture, defense‑in‑depth, least privilege, identity‑based networking, SIEM integration, DoD STIG implementation, RMF, NIST 800‑53, NIST 800‑207, cyber resiliency for satellite and ground networks.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $160000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.