Senior Network Engineer

AeroVironment•Annapolis Junction, MD

18d•$150,000 - $265,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructures, including routers, switches, firewalls, and security appliances. It involves extensive work with Cisco networking platforms and Linux-based networking, requiring a deep understanding of both traditional networking and Linux system administration. The engineer will also be involved in end-to-end systems design, documentation, and leading technical teams. The position requires the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies under pressure with minimal supervision, and may involve occasional travel.

Requirements

Minimum of 15 years of experience in network engineering, including routing, switching, and network security in enterprise or mission‑critical environments.
Significant hands‑on experience with Cisco networking and security technologies (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).
Demonstrated, practical experience with Linux networking and Linux systems in an operational or production environment (beyond basic Linux system administration).
Experience with tools/technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, VPN, and firewall configuration.
Proven ability to design and document networked systems and architectures.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and resolve complex network and infrastructure issues.
Self‑starter capable of operating independently in small teams with limited ramp‑up time or mentoring resources.
Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph.
U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Prior CNO/TAO or similar offensive/defensive cyber operations experience.
Experience with Cisco ACI design/operations.
Experience with cellular and other non‑traditional communications technologies.
Experience supporting mission‑critical, high‑availability environments with strict security requirements.
Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support operations, testing, or deployments.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, configure, and support enterprise network infrastructures, including routers, switches, firewalls, and security appliances.
Install, configure, and maintain Cisco routing and switching platforms (e.g., Cisco 7600, 6500, and 3750 series or equivalent).
Develop and translate network security requirements and policies into detailed device configurations.
Monitor, troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve network performance, connectivity, and security issues.
Manage and support Cisco ASA firewalls, VPN technologies, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network management tools.
Design and implement enterprise‑level / ISP‑grade backbone networks to support mission‑critical operations.
Understand and work with Cisco ACI concepts and operations, including fabric concepts and integration with existing network architectures.
Understand basic physical connectivity, including fiber and Ethernet standards, optics, cabling, and patching.
Design, configure, and troubleshoot Linux-based networking (e.g., routing, bridging, VLANs, iptables/nftables, routing daemons, VPNs, firewalls) in production environments.
Configure and maintain Linux systems used as network infrastructure components (e.g., virtual routers, VPN concentrators, security gateways, monitoring platforms).
Utilize tools and technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, and related automation/orchestration frameworks to deploy and manage networked Linux systems.
Work effectively at the intersection of traditional Cisco-style networking and Linux system administration, with a particular focus on deep Linux networking rather than general-purpose system administration alone.
Design end‑to‑end systems that integrate Linux hosts, network equipment, and security components to meet defined operational and security requirements.
Develop high‑quality technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, network/system design documents, and implementation plans.
Translate mission and operational requirements into practical, implementable network and system architectures.
Contribute to system integration, test, and validation activities for complex networked solutions.
Lead and guide small technical teams in resolving complex network and infrastructure problems.
Provide technical direction for the operation, configuration, optimization, and maintenance of network devices and Linux-based systems.
Ensure network and system environments meet security, compliance, and operational requirements.
Support cellular/networked communications technologies as required by the mission.
Learn and adapt quickly to new systems and technologies under pressure, with minimal supervision.
Support occasional travel as required.