Network Engineer

Network EngineerIcarus was founded on the belief that the Stratosphere is the Forgotten Frontier and that reclaiming it will define the next era of aerospace and what is possible from the sky. We build solar-powered aircraft that fly at 60,000 ft for weeks at a time, delivering persistent, affordable, and scalable presence from this layer of the atmosphere.MissionRe-establish and maintain dominance in the Stratosphere.What You'll DoNetwork Engineering:Design, deploy, and maintain networking infrastructureConfigure and manage routers, switches, VPNs, firewalls (including Palo Alto), and network segmentation for both on-site and field-deployed systemsSolve novel networking challenges at field events and exercises—each deployment may involve different radio systems, routing paradigms, and connectivity constraintsBuild and document network architectures that are flexible enough to support rapidly evolving mission requirementsSecurity & Compliance:Own and drive the IATT and ATO process end-to-end, building on Icarus's existing IATT foundation. There will be lots of support from the IT team, the software team, and the firmware team, but you will own the network.Conduct and manage STIG reviews, ACAS/Nessus vulnerability scans, and remediation across compute systems, cameras, and other networked componentsCoordinate directly with government cybersecurity leads on compliance artifacts, scan submissions, and risk acceptance packagesDevelop and maintain security documentation including system security plans, network diagrams, and compliance evidence packagesBuild approved CI/CD pipelines so that products can continue to be improved after authorizationAI-Assisted Operations:Use AI tools daily to accelerate compliance documentation, network analysis, vulnerability remediation, and configuration managementBuild AI into production workflows—not just prototyping. AI will be an integral part of how you do this job. Before AI this job would not have been possible by just one personStay current with evolving AI capabilities and continuously find new ways to apply them to security and networking challengesWhat We're Looking For5+ years of experience in network engineering, IT security, or a related fieldDeep hands-on expertise with VPNs, routers, switches, firewalls, and network architecture—you can configure, troubleshoot, and design from scratchDirect experience with the government IATT process—you have taken at least one system through a full IATT end-to-end and have seen the ATO processFamiliarity with STIGs, ACAS/Nessus scanning, and DoD cybersecurity compliance frameworks (RMF, NIST 800-171)Experience working with or supporting DoD/military customers on network securityComfort working across satellite communications, tactical radio networks, and conventional IP networkingStrong documentation skills—you can produce the compliance artifacts that government reviewers needBonus Points ForFamiliarity with Tailscale or similar mesh networking solutionsExperience with CI/CD pipeline design and DevSecOps practicesBackground in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industriesFamiliarity with CUI/SBU data handling requirementsWhy IcarusMeaningful equityTop market salary and bonusesHealth, dental, and vision insuranceFactory in El SegundoReal ownership, real hardware, real flightSmall team, massive responsibility (but growing very fast)High signal (engineering) to noise (management) cultureDream desk setupDaily lunchUnlimited CelsiusThis Is Not a Normal IT JobWe are pioneers, not corporate managers. Icarus deliberately optimizes for a high signal (engineering) to noise (management) ratio, where engineering, manufacturing, flight, and execution matter more than process, politics, or management overhead.Your users are engineers. They will find the edge of anything you deploy and they will tell you about it. Support them accordingly.You are supporting a factory, not just an office. Test benches, CAD workstations, license servers, and manufacturing equipment are all in scope.You are building the function, not maintaining it. There is no existing Network Engineering team, no inherited backlog, and no one to tell you which ticketing system to use.We expect full extreme ownership. This is a high-trust, no-BS team, and everyone pulls their weight.We want builders. No hand-holding, no fluff, no fake projects. Real problems, real data, and real results.You must thrive under pressure, learn fast, and solve problems across functions.We move fast. We expect results and an obsession with quality and speed.No tourists. No bystanders. Only builders.Hiring ProcessIntro callInterview with Head of OperationsMeet the CEO and team in-personUS Salary Range$115,000 - $165,000 USDThe salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Icarus' total compensation package.