Principal Network Administrator - Top Secret

Northrop Grumman•Gilbert, AZ

1d•$89,400 - $134,200•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal Network Communications - Network Administrator to support information system lifecycle activities. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time at our Gilbert, Arizona location. This role involves performing Sr. Network Communications activities in support of classified government contracts. The position requires defining and executing long-term network architecture roadmaps (e.g., SDWAN, ZeroTrust, cloud-enabled networking), leading the design, integration, and implementation of large-scale, multidomain networks, and overseeing network migrations and cyber resilience initiatives. The candidate will serve as a senior technical liaison to government customers and internal leadership, authoring and enforcing network standards, policies, and security frameworks, and providing advanced monitoring, analysis, and planning for network systems. This role also includes delivering third-level technical support, developing innovative technical solutions, raising issues for management attention, and providing senior-level technical expertise through mentoring junior team members. Physical requirements include lifting and moving equipment up to 50 pounds, and the ability to work after hours and weekends as needed. Due to the classified nature of the work, this position does not offer virtual or telecommute options and requires on-site work.

Requirements

Master's Degree with 3 years of relevant technical experience; OR a Bachelor's Degree with 5 years of relevant technical experience; OR an Associate's Degree with 7 years of relevant technical experience; OR a High School Diploma (or equivalent) with 9 years of relevant technical experience is required.
Demonstrated experience designing and maintaining complex LAN/WAN based networks to include analysis, enhancements of routers, switches, and firewalls.
Candidates must meet the US Government 8140 requirements (8570 equivalent) for a Sr Principal Network Communications - IAT level II baseline certification (example: Security+ CE).
Candidates must have a current US Government Top Secret level security clearance (at a minimum), to include a closed investigation date completed within the last 6 years OR must be enrolled in the DOD Continuous Evaluation (CE) Program, in order to be considered.
Candidates must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, access to Special Programs as a condition of continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree Network Engineering
6 years of Network Engineering experience
CCNP certification
Security+ CE certification
Experience supporting Video Teleconferencing (VTCs), deploying audio/visual technologies in classified environments
Experience supporting Cisco Call Managers or other similar technologies
Experience designing, implementing, and managing largescale, multidomain network architectures; expertise in advanced routing, security, and mission critical systems
Experience with configuring TACLANES, and/or encryption solutions
Experience with Assessment & Authorization processes
Experience troubleshooting network procedures and best practices; experience with network challenges associated with systems integration, including COTS integration, capacity analysis and system architecture design
Evidence of published technical papers, patents, or internal knowledge‑sharing contributions
Current SAP/SAR access would be nice to have

Responsibilities

Perform Sr. Network Communications activities in support of classified government contracts.
Define and execute long-term network architecture roadmaps, such as SDWAN, ZeroTrust, and cloud-enabled networking, ensuring alignment with enterprise security and compliance requirements.
Lead the design, integration, and implementation of large-scale, multidomain networks supporting classified missions, and oversee network migrations and cyber resilience initiatives.
Serve as a senior technical liaison to government customers and internal leadership, negotiating requirements, delivering status briefings, and participating in external technical forums, proposals, and procurement discussions.
Author, maintain, and enforce enterprise-wide network standards, policies, and security frameworks; regularly audit compliance and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide advanced monitoring, analysis, and planning for network systems, coordinating third-party maintenance as needed and supporting environments through ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, JIRA).
Deliver third-level technical support for complex network, hardware, software, and telecommunications issues.
Develop innovative technical solutions to complex problems, support project designs, clarify requirements, and ensure solutions adhere to established standards.
Raise issues requiring management attention and measure performance against KPIs, implementing corrective actions to exceed operational standards.
Provide senior-level technical expertise by mentoring junior and experienced team members, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team capabilities.
Lifts and moves equipment up to 50 pounds.
Work after hours, and weekends, as needed.