Sr. Network Engineer

Principal Network Engineer – Mission Performance & Security SystemsIn 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 next-generation 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 architectures10+ years of experience supporting space vehicle communications, ground systems, mission operations, and satellite networking10+ years designing enterprise and tactical IP networks including IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, Ethernet switching, MPLS, SDN, QoS, WAN/LAN/MAN, multicast, and network resiliency5+ years leading technical teams supporting satellite networking, mission operations centers, ground stations, or hybrid terrestrial/non-terrestrial networking5+ 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 testingExperience integrating commercial and government space systems into resilient mission architectures.Experience supporting space networking test events, mission rehearsals, operational demonstrations, or developmental test activitiesAdditional 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 crosslinksExperience 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 managementExperience 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 operatorsExperience with Software Defined SatellitesExperience with cloud-native networking supporting space missionsExperience with network automation using Python, Ansible, Terraform, or REST APIsExperience 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 stakeholdersRequired Certifications:CISSPCCNP EnterpriseCCNP SecurityCCIE Enterprise SecurityPreferred Certifications:Sec+CASP+AWS Advanced NetworkingAWS Security SpecialtyTechnical Skills: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.