Network Engineer

AEVEX Corp.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AEVEX Corp. seeks a skilled Network Engineer to design, deploy, and sustain mobile DoD networking solutions for unmanned and maritime platforms.

You will implement mesh networks, secure routing, and resilient architectures in dynamic, contested environments. The role requires hands-on experience with mesh technologies, tactical radios, and secure networking practices supporting expeditionary platforms, including unmanned systems such as UAS.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and sustaining mobile DoD networks with mesh capabilities.
• Hands-on work with tactical radios, RF networking, and secure configurations.
• Familiarity with drone software tools and ground control stations (Mission Planner, ArduPilot, QGroundControl).
• DoD cybersecurity controls and STIGs understanding is required.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and maintain network architectures for mobile DoD systems.
• Implement routing, switching, and transport-layer solutions for mobility and dynamic topologies.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, field technicians, and leadership to support deployments and testing.
• Perform network diagnostics, performance analysis, and optimization in lab and field.
• Integrate RF comms, tactical radios, and mobile networking for unmanned platforms.

Skills

Mesh networking

Tactical radios

Secure networking

Drone software tools familiarity

DoD cybersecurity practices

Layer 2/Layer 3 fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Info Systems

DoD 8570.01-MIAT Level II cert (e.g., Security+, CCNA-Security, GSEC)

Tools

Mission Planner

ArduPilot

QGroundControl

MAVLink protocol

Job description

AEVEX - Maritime Systems is seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer to support the development, integration, and deployment of advanced networking solutions for mobile Department of Defense (DoD) platforms and unmanned systems. This role focuses on designing and sustaining resilient, distributed communications architectures capable of operating in contested, bandwidth-limited, and highly dynamic operational environments.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with mesh networking technologies, tactical radio systems, and secure networking practices supporting mobile or expeditionary platforms. Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or other unmanned systems is strongly desired, including familiarity with common drone software tools and communication protocols.

This position involves engineering, integrating, and troubleshooting mobile network solutions that support autonomous systems, maritime platforms, and tactical communications infrastructure, while meeting DoD cybersecurity and operational requirements.

Essential Functions

• Design, configure, and maintain network architectures for mobile and tactical DoD systems, including mesh networks, MANET-based solutions, and distributed communications frameworks.
• Implement routing, switching, and transport‑layer solutions optimized for mobility, intermittent connectivity, and rapidly changing network topologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, field technicians, and program leadership to support deployment, testing, and sustainment of operational systems.
• Perform network performance analysis, diagnostics, and optimization in both laboratory and field environments.
• Integrate and troubleshoot RF communication systems, tactical radios, and mobile networking infrastructure.
• Support integration and testing of networking systems for unmanned platforms, including aerial, maritime, and ground systems.
• Apply DoD cybersecurity requirements, including implementation of network‑related STIGs and security controls.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architecture diagrams, configuration baselines, and operational procedures in accordance with program and DoD standards.
• Participate in field testing, system integration events, and operational demonstrations.
• Perform other duties as required.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Strong understanding of Layer 2 / Layer 3 networking fundamentals, including routing, switching, and IP networking concepts.
• Ability to travel for field testing, integration events, or operational deployments.
• Familiarity with common drone software tools and ground control stations, including:
  • Mission Planner
  • ArduPilot
  • QGroundControl
• Knowledge of MAVLink protocol and drone communication architecture preferred.
• Familiarity with waveform technologies and tactical radio configuration environments preferred.
• Preferred knowledge of transport technologies used in tactical networks, such as:
  • Line-of-Sight (LOS) radios
  • Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications
  • SATCOM
  • Tactical 5G systems

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Current DoD 8570.01-MIAT Level II certification (or higher), such as:
  • Security+
  • CCNA-Security
  • GSEC

Experience

• 5+ years of relevant work experience.
• Strong understanding of Layer 2 / Layer 3 networking fundamentals, including routing, switching, and IP networking concepts.
• Demonstrated experience with mesh networking protocols and technologies, such as:
  • OLSR
  • BATMAN
  • DLEP-aware systems
  • Proprietary MANET solutions
• Hands‑on experience with tactical radio systems, RF networking, or mobile ad hoc communications.
• Experience working with virtual machines, containers, or containerized network services.
• Experience supporting DoD systems, platforms, or defense programs.
• Experience with unmanned systems networking, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned surface vehicles (USV), or other autonomous platforms preferred.
• Experience with embedded or expeditionary networking systems deployed on mobile platforms preferred.
• Experience with network automation, scripting, or configuration management tools (Python, Ansible, etc.) preferred.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

• Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment

For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the workday, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain/maintain a DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

Disclaimer

AEVEX Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

About AEVEX

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full‑spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission‑system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

Recruitment Communication Notice

All official correspondence regarding your application, application status, interviews, or the AEVEX hiring process will come directly from an AEVEX representative using an @aevex.com email address or through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system. Please use caution with communications claiming to represent AEVEX from other email domains, and always verify the sender before responding or providing personal information.

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in AEVEX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.