Principal Network Engineer

Position Overview

The Principal Network Engineer provides advanced network engineering support for the design, integration, optimization, and sustainment of complex enterprise and mission networks. This role focuses on enhancing network performance, implementing scalable solutions, and supporting architectural improvements across LAN, CAN, WAN, and telecommunications environments.

The engineer translates mission and business requirements into secure, high‑performing network solutions and collaborates with operations personnel, program management, and engineering teams to ensure reliable network performance in DoD/IC environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Optimize end‑to‑end system performance and dataflow through analysis, monitoring tools, and data captures, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput.
• Design, integrate, configure, deploy, test, maintain, and enhance network devices and infrastructure across LAN, CAN, WAN, and telecommunications systems.
• Implement network solutions supporting server and mission requirements, including load balancing, VPNs, firewall contexts, traffic shaping, VoIP, GRE, IPSec, IP encryption, MoIP, and NAT.
• Contribute to the design and improvement of network and mission architecture to support evolving partner and mission requirements.
• Resolve complex network issues using advanced diagnostic tools such as network analyzers, WAN test equipment, and simulators.
• Support network operations by maintaining system documentation, diagrams, and accreditation artifacts while ensuring compliance with ISO 9000 and DoD/IC standards.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to support network equipment, system integrations, and infrastructure changes, including conversions and cutovers.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related technical discipline and 15+ years of related experience, or Bachelor’s Degree in a related technical discipline and 17 years of experience providing network engineering support.
• Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level I certification in accordance with DoD 8570.01‑M.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and maintaining complex network infrastructures.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving advanced network performance and integration issues.
• Security Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
• Participate in a rotational on‑call schedule (estimated every 4‑6 weeks), with flexible team‑managed scheduling and guaranteed on‑call compensation
• Provide primarily remote on‑call support; occasional on‑site response may be required (rare)

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.