Network Engineering - Remote

Network Engineer
LOCATION: On Site (Hybrid /Remote Option) - Kirtland AFB, NM
JOB STATUS: Full-time
CLEARANCE: Secret Clearance

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: % Astrion is seeking a Network Engineer to join the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate, in support of the Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development (RAPID) laboratory at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. The RAPID Lab plays a critical role in shaping the future of resilient space systems for the U.S. Space Force. This role will provide Network Engineering expertise to the RAPID program office, helping shape network engineering related requirements, verification approaches, system architectures, and deliverables.
Required Qualifications / Skills

U.S. Citizenship required
DoD Secret clearance
Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field
Minimum 3+ years of relevant technical engineering experience
Experience with network security, firewalls, and VPNs
Hands-on experience with Cisco, Juniper, or equivalent networking equipment
Strong knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, etc.)
Proficiency in configuring and managing routers, switches, and firewalls
Experience with network monitoring tools and troubleshooting methodologies
Understanding cybersecurity principles and network security best practices
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Current networking certification such as Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, Juniper JNCIA-Junos, or equivalent
Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage complex systems and technical requirements
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Self-motivated and capable of independent problem solving
Preferred Qualifications / Skills

DoD TS/SCI clearance
Cisco CCNP Enterprise, Juniper JNCIP-ENT, or equivalent; Security+ CE; AWS or Azure networking certification
Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, etc.)
Knowledge of VoIP and wireless networking solutions
Responsibilities

Serve as the program office's network engineering subject matter expert, advising the Program Manager, Technical Director, and systems engineering team on network-related requirements, design decisions, risks, and dependencies
Translate mission and operational needs into network requirements and support their allocation, traceability, review, and maintenance throughout the systems engineering lifecycle
Represent network requirements and interfaces in system architectures, operational concepts, interface definitions, and other program engineering artifacts
Support network architecture development and trade studies, assessing proposed approaches for mission fit, interoperability, performance, resilience, security, scalability, and supportability
Coordinate system network and facility network requirements as distinct engineering areas, identifying their interfaces and dependencies without combining their design baselines or work scopes
Identify and document network interfaces, assumptions, constraints, and dependencies involving mission systems, platforms, cybersecurity, facilities, cloud services, and external networks
Participate in technical interchange meetings, engineering reviews, and program decision forums; present network engineering positions and track resulting actions to closure
Review contractor and engineering team deliverables for consistency with approved requirements, architectures, interfaces, and program decisions
Support technical risk, issue, and opportunity management by identifying network-related concerns, assessing impacts, recommending mitigations, and tracking resolution
Assess proposed system changes for impacts to network requirements, interfaces, architecture, verification plans, and operational concepts; provide network engineering input to configuration and change control processes
Support development of network verification and validation strategies, requirements traceability, success criteria, and test plans
Review network-related test procedures and results, assess whether requirements have been met, and identify issues requiring corrective action
Coordinate with government stakeholders, other program offices, facility representatives, cybersecurity personnel, and engineering teams to resolve network-related dependencies and maintain alignment
Provide network engineering inputs to technical status reports, briefings, acquisition and planning documents, and program recommendations
Communicate network technical status, risks, decisions, and unresolved issues to program and customer leadership