Senior Network Engineer

Orbis Operations Pty Ltd; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbis Operations Pty Ltd in Canberra is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, deploy, and support mission-critical government networks across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments. The role emphasizes secure, high-availability architectures for classified domains.

The position requires NV2-level clearance, 8+ years in network engineering (3+ in senior roles), and hands-on experience with Cisco/Juniper routers, firewalls, VPNs, and Zero Trust. Travel up to 10% is anticipated.

Qualifications

• Active Australian Government Top Secret (NV2) clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
• 8+ years in network engineering, with at least 3 years in a senior/lead capacity in defence/intelligence or similar.
• Hands-on expertise with enterprise routing/switching, firewalls, and VPN/remote-access technologies.
• Experience designing/operating networks in classified or multi‑level environments, incl. cross-domain solutions.
• Working knowledge of cloud networking (Azure and/or AWS) in gov/hardened environments.
• Strong understanding of Zero Trust Architecture and defence‑in‑depth security.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure networks for classified and multi‑domain systems.
• Configure routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs across on‑premises and cloud.
• Monitor performance, diagnose incidents, and lead root‑cause analysis.
• Implement and enforce network security controls per Zero Trust and government frameworks.
• Support accreditation activities including IRAP/ISM assessments.
• Collaborate with software/platform teams to ensure network design supports data platforms at scale.
• Provide senior mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to standards and disaster‑recovery planning.
• Engage with government and allied customers on requirements, design reviews, and incident response.

Skills

Network engineering

Cloud networking

Zero Trust

Cross-domain

Communication

Security

Tools

Cisco devices

Juniper devices

Firewalls

VPNs

Azure

AWS

Job description

Orbis Operations is a technology company that helps the Australian Government and partners across the Indo-Pacific make faster, better-informed decisions. We convert complex information and operational systems into decisive outcomes, giving our clients the tools and insights they need in an increasingly contested world.

In Australia, our work spans network, data, and analytic capabilities - supporting national security, defence, and intelligence programs. Our team is made up of senior experts with deep national security experience. Working with Orbis offers real opportunities to contribute to critical programs for Australian Government clients and partners across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Job Summary

Orbis is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to join our team based in Canberra, Australia, supporting mission‑critical network infrastructure for government and allied defence customers. This role will design, deploy, and sustain secure, high‑availability networks across classified and multi‑domain environments - including on‑premises, cloud, and contested/disconnected edge deployments - in direct support of customer and Orbis' data and decision platforms. You will work alongside practitioners who have operated at the mission edge, with direct responsibility for the network backbone that Orbis' governed data fabric runs on.

This role is based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, with an on‑site presence required to support classified network infrastructure and customer facilities. Some domestic and international travel may be required to support program and customer needs.

Travel

Occasional, up to 10%. Domestic and international travel may be required to support program and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure network architectures supporting classified and multi‑domain systems, including cross‑domain solutions and air‑gapped or contested‑edge deployments.
• Configure and administer routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and network security appliances across on‑premises and cloud (e.g. Azure, AWS/GovCloud-equivalent) environments.
• Monitor network performance and availability, diagnose and resolve complex incidents, and lead root‑cause analysis for high‑priority outages.
• Implement and enforce network security controls in line with Zero Trust Architecture principles and applicable Australian and allied government security frameworks.
• Support accreditation and certification activities, including documentation for Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) assessments or equivalent.
• Partner with software and platform engineering teams to ensure network design supports Orbis' data‑movement and collection platforms at the required scale and security posture.
• Provide senior technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to network standards, runbooks, and disaster‑recovery planning.
• Engage directly with government and allied customer stakeholders on network requirements, design reviews, and incident response.

Required Qualifications

• Active Australian Government Top Secret (minimum NV2) security clearance, or eligibility to obtain and maintain one through AGSVA - Australian citizenship is required.
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead capacity supporting defence, intelligence, or other classified environments.
• Deep hands‑on expertise with enterprise routing and switching (Cisco, Juniper, or equivalent), firewalls, and VPN/remote‑access technologies.
• Demonstrated experience designing and operating networks in classified or multi‑level‑security environments, including cross‑domain solutions.
• Working knowledge of cloud networking (Azure and/or AWS), including hybrid and hardened government‑cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of network security principles, including Zero Trust Architecture, segmentation, and defence‑in‑depth.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with government customers and technical stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

• Industry certifications such as CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting tactical‑edge, disconnected, or intermittently connected network environments.
• Familiarity with IRAP assessment processes and Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) requirements.
• Experience with network automation and infrastructure‑as‑code tooling.
• Prior experience supporting Australian Defence Force or other allied coalition network environments.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Participation in virtual and in‑person meetings
• Ability to attend planned meetings and/or work in classified spaces for extended periods within the specified work regions

Joining Orbis means real ownership over outcomes that matter - the chance to work on critical programs that give the Australian Government and partners across the region a genuine advantage. We offer superannuation contributions at 15.4% and a leave policy that encourages real time off, because doing your best work shouldn't come at the cost of a life outside it.

Our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We'll walk you through the full details after an initial conversation with our HR team.

Orbis Locations

Orbis works in whatever arrangement the mission requires. Depending on the role, that might mean five days a week on a customer site, full‑time in one of our offices, a hybrid schedule, or fully remote work - our team is spread across four countries. We make sure every team member has the tools and access needed to do the work, wherever that work happens.

Travel is common across many Orbis roles, particularly those supporting customer missions in the field.

Orbis is headquartered in McLean, VA, with office locations in Canberra, Australia and Taipei, Taiwan.

Orbis Operations is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment, and we make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business need. Orbis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Orbis complies with all applicable equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws in every jurisdiction in which we operate. Reasonable accommodation is available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.