Network and Security Engineer, Defense

Applied Intuition • Sunnyvale, CA

1d • $150,000 - $200,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Applied Intuition is seeking a senior, hands-on individual contributor to own the architecture of high-performance, high-assurance networks for defense programs. The role designs networks that move terabits of radar, camera, and vehicle data with low, predictable latency, and secures them for classified environments up to Impact Level 6 (IL6). The engineer will shape technical direction across defense programs while continuing to solve complex networking and security problems directly.

The position combines network architecture, security engineering, automation, observability, and customer engagement. The engineer will work with customers, government stakeholders, and internal product teams to understand mission needs and deployment constraints, translate Navy and DoD guidance into practical engineering solutions, and lead technical direction and design reviews. Applied Intuition expects full-time employees primarily to work from an office five days a week, with flexibility for occasional remote work and schedule adjustments.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in network engineering and network security engineering, including significant experience architecting large-scale or mission-critical networks.
• Deep expertise designing and operating high-throughput data center or HPC networks, including routing, switching, QoS, congestion control, and performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience securing networks in regulated or classified environments, including segmentation, encryption, and identity-based access controls.
• Strong working knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST 800-53 and the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF).
• Scripting and automation ability in Python, Go, or Bash, and experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Ansible, Terraform, or Nornir.
• Track record of setting technical direction for multi-engineer efforts as an architect, technical lead, or senior individual contributor, and mentoring engineers.
• Track record of owning complex technical problems end to end in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; active TS/SCI is preferred.
• BS/MS degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with sensor data transport such as GigE Vision, VITA 49, or other high-rate radar and camera streaming protocols.
• Familiarity with open architecture approaches such as MOSA, SOSA, and VPX-based systems.
• Experience with SmartNICs, DPUs, DPDK, or eBPF for packet processing and in-network security.
• Experience with Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC), Type 1 encryption devices, or cross-domain solutions.
• Exposure to Navy and DoD frameworks such as DISA STIGs, the DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture, and NAVWAR/NAVSEA cybersecurity guidance.
• Experience with in-vehicle and avionics networks, including automotive Ethernet, ARINC 664/AFDX, and MIL-STD-1553.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build high-bandwidth network fabrics (100/400/800GbE) to carry radar, EO/IR camera, and vehicle bus data from sensor edge to compute and storage.
• Design deterministic, low-latency transport using technologies such as TSN, PTP/IEEE 1588, RDMA/RoCEv2, and multicast.
• Bridge in-vehicle networks, including automotive Ethernet, CAN, and legacy military buses, with modern IP-based backbones in rugged, size- and power-limited platforms.
• Design and implement security architectures supporting IL5/IL6 accreditation, including segmentation, encryption in transit, PKI, and cross-domain data flows.
• Apply zero trust principles across on-premises, tactical edge, and cloud environments.
• Automate network and security configuration with infrastructure as code and build continuous compliance checks into deployment pipelines.
• Build network observability through streaming telemetry, flow analysis, and security monitoring.
• Translate Navy and DoD guidance into practical engineering decisions and maintainable solutions.
• Work with customers, government stakeholders, and internal product teams to understand mission needs and deployment constraints.
• Set the technical roadmap for defense networking and security, lead design reviews, mentor engineers, and serve as a technical voice with customers and government stakeholders.
• Own complex technical problems end to end and drive them to completion.

Benefits

• Equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, for eligible roles.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement benefits with employer match.
• Learning stipends.
• Wellness stipends.
• Paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior