Senior Network Engineer

Orbis; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbis is seeking a Senior Network Engineer based in Canberra to design, deploy, and sustain secure, high-availability networks for government and allied defence customers. You will work across on-prem, cloud, and contested-edge deployments to support Orbis data and decision platforms.

The role requires an active NV2 clearance or eligibility, 8+ years in network engineering (3+ in senior roles), and hands-on expertise with routing, switching, firewalls, and VPNs. Travel up to 10% is expected.

Qualifications

• Active Australian Government Top Secret security clearance (NV2) or eligibility.
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering with at least 3 years in a senior/lead capacity.
• Experience designing and operating networks in classified or multi-level-security environments.
• Deep hands-on expertise with enterprise routing and switching, firewalls, and VPN/remote-access technologies.
• Knowledge of cloud networking (Azure and/or AWS) including hybrid/government cloud.
• Strong understanding of Zero Trust, segmentation, and defence-in-depth principles.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure network architectures for classified and multi-domain systems.
• Configure routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Monitor network performance, diagnose incidents, and lead root-cause analysis for outages.
• Enforce network security controls in line with Zero Trust Architecture and government frameworks.
• Assist with accreditation activities and IRAP/ISM related documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to network standards and disaster-recovery planning.
• Engage with government and allied stakeholders on requirements, reviews, and incident response.

Skills

Network engineering

Zero Trust

Cloud networking

Cross-domain

Security clearance NV2

Government security

Routing & switching

VPN/Remote access

Tools

Cisco/Juniper routers

Firewalls

VPNs

Azure/AWS GovCloud

Job description

Orbis is a technology company that delivers sovereign intelligence and decision capabilities to the United States Government and its allies. We convert complex information and operational systems into decisive outcomes, giving public institutions and critical enterprises the tools to move faster, see clearer, and act first in an increasingly contested world.

We are not a consulting firm and not a systems integrator. Every Orbis team is built around practitioners who have operated at the mission edge, and every engagement is judged on one thing: whether it produces working capability, not slide decks. Solutions forged from experience; that is how we build, and it is how we hire.

Orbis Australia Overview

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

Beyond the opportunity to work alongside practitioners who have operated at the mission edge, joining Orbis means real ownership over outcomes that matter; the chance to build technology that gives the United States Government and its allies a genuine decision advantage, not just another dashboard. From competitive retirement matching to a PTO policy that encourages real time off, we're committed to creating an environment where our team can do their best work and still have a life outside of it.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. A full list of benefits is shared with candidates following an initial conversation with our HR team, so you'll have a clear picture of the support and resources available to you as part of the Orbis 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 25 states and four countries to match. 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 additional office locations in Taipei, Taiwan, and Canberra, Australia.

Orbis 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.