Principal Network Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Southern Pines, NC

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Network Engineer, you will be at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in network engineering. You will provide visionary leadership in the design, implementation, and maintenance of cutting-edge network solutions. This position will require a blend of technical prowess, leadership skills, and extensive experience in network engineering. This role demands exceptional technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to network security and reliability. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
12+ years of experience in a related field.
Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 14 years of related experience is required.
Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
Mastery of network protocols and services [e.g., Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)].
Extensive experience with Cisco networking equipment and advanced networking technologies.
Experience supporting a corporate network, maintaining SLA's, providing support to corporate IT departments.
Experience Design & manage network implementation projects in a dynamic fast paced environment.
This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.
Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.
Expertise in Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) WAN, Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and emerging networking technologies.
Strong background in network security and compliance.
Proven track record of leading and managing complex network projects.
Extensive and demonstrated hands-on expertise and experience with a wide variety of network related tools, concepts, technologies, best practices and security procedures.
Extensive and demonstrated expertise knowledge of MPLS, DNS, DHCP, directional wireless.
Extensive experience with network hardware, protocols, and media including but not limited to Fiber Optics, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Internetwork Operating System (IOS), SD-WAN, DNS, DHCP, wireless.
Experience in past roles as a principal network engineer or architect.
Hands-on experience with network automation platforms.
Experience engineering zero trust networking solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic vision and execution of the organization’s network infrastructure.
Design and implement highly advanced and secure network architectures.
Serve as the top-tier escalation point for the most complex network issues.
Drive the adoption of new technologies and best practices within the network engineering team.
Mentor and inspire junior, intermediate, and senior network engineers.
Provide top-tier support for network incidents and service requests.
Oversee the development and enforcement of network security policies and procedures.
Collaborate with executive leadership to align network initiatives with business goals.
Conduct comprehensive network performance and capacity planning.
Provide guidance and mentorship to junior network engineers and IT staff.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
Stay current with emerging networking technologies and industry best practices.
Recommend, design, and implement improvements to network infrastructure and processes.