Principal Network Engineer

Position Title: Principal Network Engineer
Requisition ID: 1762
Position Location: Fairfax, VA
Position Reports To: Engineering Technical Lead
Supervises Others: No

Trident has built a reputation as a trusted provider of aerospace and defense electronics & processing systems including digital RF & Optical command and control solutions and atmospheric & airborne sensors. Our three operating units: Space Electronic Systems (SES), Integrated C4ISR Systems (ICS) and Optical Precision Systems (OPS), develop within the agile framework which enables us to produce proven, purpose-built systems that solve our customers' mission critical challenges across space, air, land, and sea.

Trident's Integrated C4ISR Systems (ICS) specializes in products and services which improve the safety and survivability of our armed forces. We develop solutions for a wide range of demanding missions and environments, including tactical communications systems for multi-national interoperability, autonomous predictive maintenance and logistics solutions, and scalable, responsive, all-domain surveillance systems. Trident's integrated systems support the protection of the National Capital Region and various military installations both domestic and abroad. We can deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that meet our customers' evolving requirements by integrating our specialized knowledge in electronic systems with appropriately scaled development methodologies.

Position Summary

This position will be part of a team supporting an aerial surveillance system for a Department of Defense customer. The Principal Network Engineer will provide technical expertise, support, maintenance, repair, and upgrades within a 24/7 mission support environment. In this capacity, the engineer must be knowledgeable in the areas of network communications, computer operating systems, debugging, and troubleshooting methods. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with deep experience in enterprise networking, including modern Cisco platforms (Catalyst 9400 and 8300 series), multicast video transport, and virtualized network environments. This individual must be capable of troubleshooting complex issues under operational pressure while also contributing to system design, integration, and continuous improvement efforts.

The engineer will work closely with program leadership, system engineers, and operational stakeholders to ensure resilient, low-latency, and secure network performance across classified and unclassified environments. This is an onsite position in Fairfax, VA.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility for this role will be to develop comprehensive solutions using enterprise-class routing, switching, and application services for the client. High level responsibilities include the implementation, design, and operation of Government network solutions and infrastructure.

• Assist in managing secure DoD networks and administering continuous support for mission ready classified/unclassified servers and systems
• Design, implement, and sustain enterprise network solutions supporting mission-critical C2 and surveillance systems
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Cisco-based infrastructure, including Catalyst 9400 (core/distribution) and Catalyst 8300 (edge/SD-WAN) platforms, Cisco Firepower 1120/1150 ASA platforms and Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
• Engineer and maintain multicast-enabled networks supporting real-time video distribution (e.g., PIM, IGMP, QoS tuning for video streams)
• Support secure DoD network operations across classified and unclassified environments, ensuring compliance with IA/STIG/EMSEC requirements
• Provide engineering support and analysis of system requirements related to the implementation of networked system and component infrastructure.
• When required, provide analysis research, recommendations, and procurement of hardware/software systems.
• Support the development of system design documents, configuration drawings, operator's guides, maintenance and training manuals and system administrator manuals.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in computer science or Information Systems, or equivalent from an accredited college or university, or additional work experience.
• Minimum of 9 years' experience in Network (Switches and Routers), TCP/IP routing protocol, and current Linux administration.
• Ability to obtain a US DoD Secret level clearance.
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP networking, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), and network design principles
• Experience with multicast networking (PIM, IGMP) and video transport over IP networks.
• Experience with virtualized network environments (e.g., VMware, virtual switching, network segmentation).
• Experience capturing, analyzing, and translating system performance trends, and providing technical inputs to create new requirements for systems of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience estimating, tracking, managing, and reporting status relating to technical, schedule, and risk performance for assigned projects.
• Be able to analyze information and complex issues using critical thinking, logic, and reasoning.
• Strong demonstrated capabilities in teamwork and project success is required.
• Experience multi-tasking in an environment with multiple competing deadlines.
• Ability to provide 24/7 quick response to critical system issues as needed.
• CCNP (Enterprise) or higher (CCNA required)
• CompTIA Security+ (or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 certification)
• LINUX Red Hat (RHCSA preferred)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written

Preferred Qualifications

• Active US DoD Secret level clearance.

  
  

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including automatic company contribution)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, pregnancy, and military)
• Potential annual bonus

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io .

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)