Network Communications/Principal Network Communications

Northrop Grumman; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 work schedule

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Network Communications professional for the Rolling Meadows, IL site to support classified contracts. You will manage LAN/WAN/VPN operations, implement secure network designs, and lead the rollout of routing and security appliances.

The role requires active clearance or CEP enrollment, experience with Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco ISE, and monitoring tools like SolarWinds and Splunk. On-site work and strong collaboration with program teams are expected.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret level clearance or CEP enrollment.
• Experience designing and maintaining LAN/WAN networks with routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and Panorama per guidelines.
• Knowledge of RADIUS/TACACS+ integrations with Cisco ISE.

Responsibilities

• Perform principal network communications activities for classified contracts.
• Maintain LAN/WAN/VPN operations and encryption technologies.
• Plan and implement LAN/WAN solutions meeting mission requirements.
• Lead rollout of routing and switching platforms and security appliances.
• Coordinate third‑party maintenance and resolve incidents with cross‑functional teams.
• Provide second‑level support for hardware, software, and network systems.
• Lead customer engagements, define requirements, and oversee delivery.
• Ensure security compliance and develop enterprise‑wide network standards.

Skills

LAN/WAN design

Routing protocols

Palo Alto firewalls

Cisco ISE

Network security best practices

Threat monitoring tools

Vendor coordination

Education

Master's degree in Network Engineering or related field

Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering or related field

Associate's degree with years of relevant experience

High School diploma with substantial relevant experience

Tools

Panorama

Palo Alto Firewall

Cisco ISE

SolarWinds Orion

Splunk

SNMP monitoring

Job description

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and secure technological solutions to enable strategic objectives. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we will support yours by expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you will have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

The Northrop Grumman CIDO Classified Solutions team is seeking a Network Communications/Principal Network Communications individual to support information system lifecycle activities. The selected candidate will be required to work on‑site, full‑time at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.

The responsibilities of this role will include but not be limited to the following:

• Perform Principal Network Communications activities in support of classified government contracts.
• Maintain operations of LAN/WAN/VPNs and encryption technologies
• Plan, design, configure, and implement small to medium scale LAN/WAN solutions that meet mission-requirements.
• Lead the configuration, testing, and roll‑out of routing/switching platforms and security appliances.
• Contribute to proposing technical network design solutions to management.
• Conduct capacity planning, performance forecasting, and present recommendations to program managers.
• Develop and maintain enterprise‑wide network standards, policies, and documentation, to ensure security compliance.
• Resolve incidents (WAN failures, security events, etc.) within expected tolerances, coordinating cross functionally with teams as needed.
• Coordinate third‑party maintenance for network equipment.
• Provide second‑level support resolution of technical problems and answer queries by telephone in support of internal customers’ computer hardware, software, network, and telecommunications systems.
• Perform work independently, seeking strategic guidance from senior staff when needed.
• Lead customer engagements, define requirements, develop implementation schedules, and oversee delivery.
• Implement and troubleshoot LAN/WAN technologies such as VLANs, trunking (port tagging), and spanning‑tree and protocols.
• Support environments by means of ticketing requirements systems (ServiceNow, JIRA, etc.).
• Raise issues that require senior level attention and/or involvement.
• Lift and move equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Work after hours and weekends, as needed.

Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options. Applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are willing to work on‑site, full‑time at our Rolling Meadows, IL campus.

This position may be filled as a Level2 or Level3, based on the qualifications outlined below.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 2:

• Master's degree with 0 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 2 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree with 4 years of relevant experience; a High School diploma (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:

• Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience; or an Associate's degree with 7 years of relevant experience; a High School diploma (or equivalent) with 9 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.

Basic Qualifications for Levels 2 and 3:

• Applicants must have an active U.S. Government Secret level security clearance (at a minimum), to include a closed investigation date completed within the last 6 years, or must be enrolled in the U.S. Government Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) in order to be considered; the required security clearance must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Experience designing and maintaining LAN/WAN based networks, managing routing protocols on large LAN environments, and experience with routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Experience configuring and managing Palo Alto firewalls and Panorama, including device groups, templates, and policies, per established guidelines.
• Experience with RADIUS and TACACS+ integrations on Cisco ISE.
• Experience building and tuning SolarWinds Orion, Splunk, SNMP, NetFlow, and Syslog monitoring and alerting tools.
• Experience applying DISA STIGs and leading patching efforts for network devices.
• Current Security+CE certification (Level 2) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification (Level 3) or equivalent; the required certification must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering.
• Active Top Secret or SCI clearance, SAP/SAR access, or Polygraph.
• Knowledge of NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3-ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG information system environments.
• Experience with the configuration, operation, and troubleshooting of Cisco ISE policy, including 802.1x, MAB, posture, and profiling, across the enterprise.
• Experience with the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of advanced WAN protocols (BGP, OSPF, MPLS) and complex telco circuits.
• Experience with designing, building, and testing automation for configuration, compliance, and patching using Python, Ansible, or PowerShell.
• Experience configuring TACLANEs.
• Experience with the Assessment & Authorization processes.

We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, a 9/80 work schedule, and a great 401k matching program. Come join us!

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,600.00 - $119,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.