Telecommunications Domain, SME

Peraton•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

The Telecommunications Domain Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the senior technical authority for the FAA Telecomm Domain, leading a team of Network Architects and Systems Engineers to define the FAA vision for telecommunications modernization and translate it into actionable Enterprise Architecture, capability roadmaps, and implementation-ready designs. This role requires deep domain expertise with FAA telecomm systems and modernization efforts—especially FTI, FENS, and TDM-to-IP transitions—and proven experience designing and implementing large-scale, nationwide networks with high availability, strict operational constraints, and rigorous change governance.

Requirements

Minimum of 16 years with BS/BA or Minimum of 14 years with MS/MA
Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
12+ years of experience in telecommunications/network architecture, systems engineering, or technical leadership on large-scale, mission-critical network programs (federal, aviation, defense, or similarly regulated environments).
Hands-on FAA Telecommunications Domain experience is required, including strong familiarity with FTI, FENS, and/or TDM-to-IP modernization (architecture, operations, deployment/sustainment, or transition planning).
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing nationwide networks, including multi-site architecture, routing strategy, resiliency, carrier diversity, and large-scale cutover planning.
Strong understanding of IP networking fundamentals and enterprise carrier-grade patterns: routing, segmentation, QoS/traffic engineering, high availability, network services (DNS/DHCP/NTP), and secure remote access as applicable.
Experience with systems engineering rigor: requirements development, interface definition, configuration/change management, design reviews, and verification/validation planning.
Familiarity with network management/observability concepts and tooling: performance monitoring, fault management, configuration compliance, inventory, and incident response workflows.
Ability to communicate with executive and operational stakeholders—translating complex network tradeoffs into clear decisions, risks, and sequencing plans.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (or higher), as required by the program.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Experience with FAA/NAS network environments, safety-critical operations, and deployment constraints (site access, maintenance windows, phased cutovers, service continuity).
Direct experience with large carrier/service-provider interconnects, diverse transport strategies, and vendor management across national footprints.
Familiarity with modern network architectures and practices (as applicable): SD-WAN, segmentation/zero trust network patterns, automation/IaC for network configuration, and secure telemetry pipelines.
Experience with architecture frameworks and artifacts (e.g., DoDAF, TOGAF, operational views, interface views, standards profiles, roadmaps).
Relevant certifications (one or more): CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, ITIL, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Serve as the principal Telecommunications Domain advisor to FAA leadership and program stakeholders for network modernization strategy, enterprise architecture, and technical governance.
Lead an integrated team of Network Architects and Systems Engineers to develop telecomm domain architectures, reference designs, and transition strategies aligned with FAA priorities and NAS operational requirements.
Define the Telecommunications Domain Vision-to-Execution blueprint, including target-state architecture, transition states, technology standards, and migration sequencing that minimizes operational risk.
Own the telecomm enterprise design across transport, routing/switching, voice, network services, timing/synchronization (as applicable), and operations/management—ensuring designs support NAS mission systems and enterprise integration needs.
Drive modernization of legacy transport and services, including TDM-to-IP evolution, voice and data convergence, and interoperability with existing NAS infrastructure during multi-year transitions.
Provide technical leadership for nationwide network design and implementation, including resiliency patterns (multi-region, diverse paths), capacity planning, performance engineering, and lifecycle planning.
Establish and chair domain-level architecture governance, including design reviews, standards/patterns, interface alignment, and technical debt management across telecomm capabilities.
Coordinate cross-domain integration with cybersecurity, automation, surveillance, infrastructure/platform, and test & evaluation teams to ensure telecomm designs are secure, deployable, supportable, and compliant.
Direct operational and sustainment alignment, ensuring architecture decisions account for monitoring/observability, fault isolation, maintenance windows, spares strategy, and continuity of operations (COOP) needs.
Lead vendor and integrator technical evaluations and trade studies (architecture options, migration approaches, service models), producing recommendations that balance safety, performance, schedule, and cost.
Mentor and develop senior technical staff, building consistent engineering rigor across design artifacts, implementation plans, and operational handoffs.