Network & Cybersecurity Engineer

Prestwick Aerosystems; Bingen (WA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Prescription insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

Life and Disability insurance

401(k)

Paid time off including paid holidays

Tuition Assistance

Bonus(es) subject to performance

Airbus corporate perks

Job summary

Airbus is seeking a hands-on Network Engineer to own the stability, security, and real-time diagnostics of communications linking UAS to ground control stations. The role spans VPN, firewall, RF relays, and Starlink links, with deployments scaling across Windows and Linux environments.

You will lead network architecture, monitor health, and provide field support for complex issues, shaping resilient expeditionary networks for autonomous flight connectivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in network engineering, systems administration, or field communications with hands-on responsibility.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting VPNs, firewalls, and routing across Windows and Linux.
• Experience with wireless RF networking and satellite communications (Starlink, VSAT, or similar).
• Experience designing or scaling network architectures for growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of network architecture across VPNs, firewalls, RF relays, and Starlink links as deployments scale.
• Diagnose and resolve network issues, including degraded RF/satellite links, latency, and connectivity, primarily via remote troubleshooting.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and tools for monitoring and troubleshooting network health in field environments.

Skills

Strong troubleshooting

Field/networking experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Scripting (PowerShell/Python)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/IT

Tools

VPN

Firewalls

Linux

Windows

Starlink

VSAT

n2n VPN

Python

PowerShell

Job description

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail] Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (English) Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminación (Spanish) Job Description: Are you a Network Engineer who thrives when the \"data center\" is a tactical field rig, a Starlink dish, and a multi-hop RF relay? Airbus is looking for a hands‑on Network Engineer to own the stability, security, and real‑time diagnostics of the communications linking our Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to ground control stations. In this high-impact role, you won’t just be managing routine server racks—you’ll be engineering resilient VPN, firewall, and wireless architectures across Linux and Windows devices operating in unpredictable field environments. If you bring a background in tactical/expeditionary communications, WISP field networking, or remote SCADA environments—and enjoy designing systems that don’t break far from a help desk—we want to hear from you. Help us shape the future of autonomous flight connectivity!

Meet the Team

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Your Working Environment

Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game‑changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it’s solving complex challenges, or celebrating victories, you’ll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Northwest has to offer!

How We Care for You

Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (\"ESOP\") Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program. Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high‑deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (\"EAP\") and other supplemental benefit coverages.

Your Challenges

Network Architecture & Infrastructure Engineering: 35% Lead the design and evolution of network architecture across VPNs, firewalls, RF relays, Starlink links, and Ground Control Station (GCS) connectivity as deployments scale to a larger fleet. Configure and maintain VPN servers and clients, firewalls, routing, and related network services across mixed Windows and Linux environments. Design network architecture for scalability, ensuring configurations, infrastructure, and deployment approaches remain repeatable and maintainable as the fleet grows. Collect, manage, and route data flows between field‑deployed UAS/GCS systems and home‑base or office infrastructure. Maintain network topology documentation, interface definitions, and configuration standards across GCS variants and deployment sites.

Network Operations, Monitoring & Field Support: 35% Diagnose and resolve network issues including degraded or intermittent RF and satellite links, interference, obstruction, latency, packet loss, routing, and connectivity problems, primarily through remote troubleshooting. Establish network monitoring, logging, alerting, and health‑check capabilities to identify and surface network issues proactively. Build, or partner with Software Engineering to develop, diagnostic tools and dashboards that provide operators with clear and actionable visibility into network health. Serve as the technical escalation point for network issues beyond operator or first‑line troubleshooting capability. Provide occasional in‑field support for complex network or communications issues that cannot be resolved remotely. Identify recurring network failure modes, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement corrective actions that improve system reliability and reduce operator IT support burden.

Cybersecurity, Standardization & Operational Resilience: 30% Apply secure network design practices including network segmentation, secure remote access, VPN/encryption, firewall configuration, authentication, and access control across UAS and ground network infrastructure. Configure and harden Windows, Linux, VPN, firewall, and other network devices using established security baselines and configuration‑control practices. Support vulnerability identification and remediation, security logging and monitoring, patching, and network security improvements across deployed systems. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, secure configuration standards, troubleshooting guides, and operator documentation that enable field personnel to resolve common issues without requiring deep networking expertise. Ensure cybersecurity, network configurations, monitoring capabilities, and documentation remain standardized and maintainable across GCS variants and deployment locations.

Your Boarding Pass

Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in network engineering, systems administration, or field communications, with direct, hands‑on responsibility for network stability and troubleshooting (not primarily help‑desk/tier‑1 support). Demonstrated experience configuring and troubleshooting VPNs, firewalls, and routing across both Windows and Linux environments. Experience with wireless/RF networking and satellite communications (e.g., Starlink, VSAT, or similar), including working with degraded, intermittent, or high‑latency links. Experience designing or scaling network architectures, not solely maintaining existing ones — you’ll be shaping how our networks evolve as we grow. Scripting or automation experience (PowerShell and/or Python) sufficient to build basic diagnostic tools and health checks, or to partner effectively with a software engineering team on more complex tooling. Demonstrated ability to stabilize and improve an existing, imperfect network environment rather than only building greenfield systems. Strong working knowledge of TCP/IP networking fundamentals: routing, subnetting, NAT, DNS, DHCP. Proficiency configuring and troubleshooting VPNs (e.g., n2n or similar peer‑to‑peer/supernode‑based VPN architectures), firewalls, and network security policies. VPN technology: n2n (or similar peer‑to‑peer/supernode VPN). Firewall platforms: pfSense, iptables/nftables, Windows Defender Firewall/advanced security (or equivalents).

Preferred Skills

Experience operating in field, remote, or expeditionary environments — tactical communications, WISP field networking, industrial/SCADA remote‑site networking, or similar. Experience supporting non‑technical end users (operators) in troubleshooting network issues, with an eye toward simplifying and self‑service enablement. Experience securing field‑deployed, tactical, aerospace, or defense networks, including VPNs, firewalls, encrypted communications, network segmentation, and secure remote access. Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity practices such as RMF, NIST SP 800‑53, and DISA STIGs as they relate to network infrastructure and system hardening. Experience supporting vulnerability assessments, security configuration reviews, patching, or remediation of network and operating‑system security findings. Cisco CCNA or CCNP (or equivalent vendor certification). Relevant military communications/signal corps training or certification. Relevant network or cybersecurity certification such as Security+, CCNP Security, CISSP, or equivalent practical experience.

Travel Required

Minimal- 5% Domestic and International Citizenship: Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license) Physical Requirements: Onsite or remote: 50% onsite in Bingen, WA Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. Daily Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms. Daily. Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. Daily. Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment. Daily. Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Daily. Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Daily. Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Occasionally. Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer. Daily. Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving. Occasionally. Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor. Daily. Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice. Occasionally. Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces. Daily. Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site Administrative position only PPE required: Steel‑toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Salary range based on the required profile: $97k to $155k /year. Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Prescription insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Short and Long‑term Disability insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off including paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically‑advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel‑efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world’s leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide. From sending your resume to participating in successful interviews, here you can access all important pieces of information to guide you in your candidate journey. Learn more