Network Engineer/ Principal Network Engineer

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel 25%

Top Secret clearance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Network Engineer to design and implement secure IP-based network systems for avionics. The role requires expertise in subnetting, routing protocols, and Cisco IOS-XE configurations to support mission-critical aircraft.

Responsibilities include architecture definition, design drawings, verification testing, and cross-functional collaboration with suppliers. Clearances and readiness for SAP are required and occasional travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Must have a STEM degree and 2 years of relevant military/professional experience; OR a Master's in STEM.
• For Principal level: 5 years of relevant experience; OR Master's +3 years; OR Ph.D. +1 year in engineering.
• US Government Secret clearance with ability to obtain interim Top Secret before starting; continuous evaluation.
• Ability to obtain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Experience with requirements analysis and technical requirement documentation for hardware/software subsystems.
• Experience supporting acquisition activities (RFP development, supplier coordination, reviewing supplier deliverables).
• Experience with MIL‑STD‑1553 or equivalent data acquisition interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and implement secure IP-based network communications systems for mission-critical aircraft.
• Produce detailed architecture schematics, hardware/software specifications, and capacity forecasts.
• Create verification matrices; oversee hardware/software test; manage test documentation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and interface with suppliers; communicate effectively across teams.
• Understand IP4 network design, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), and Cisco IOS-XE configurations.
• Configure and troubleshoot network devices; work with GRE/IPSEC tunnels, VRF, VRRP.
• Manage network management protocols like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS.

Skills

IP subnetting

Routing protocols

Cisco IOS‑XE

GRE/IPSEC

VRF/VRRP

SNMP/SSH/syslog

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Master's in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time 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.

Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Network Engineer or Principal Network Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in our Avionics organization. This position is located in Melbourne, FL.

In this role, you will design, plan, and implement secure IP‑based network communications systems for mission‑critical aircraft, delivering detailed architecture schematics, hardware/software specifications, and capacity forecasts. The role demands solid expertise in IP subnetting, routing protocols such as BDP, OSPF, and EIGRP, hands‑on Cisco IOS‑XE configuration, and advanced technologies like GRE/IPSEC tunnels, VRF, and VRRP, together with thorough testing and validation of network designs. You will maintain technical proficiency across routers, multiplexers, firewalls, hubs, bridges, and gateways, evaluate emerging communications technologies to enhance performance and cost‑effectiveness, and produce comprehensive documentation for short‑ and long‑range network planning.

Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Practical knowledge of functional and physical architecture definition, interface control, and creation of design drawings.
• Hands-on involvement in test and verification processes, including creating verification matrices, overseeing hardware/software test, and managing test documentation.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and supplier interaction.
• Solid Understanding of IP4 network design, including IP subnetting and routing protocols including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP.
• Ability to configure and troubleshoot common network devices; Required: Cisco IOS-XE.
• Solid Understanding of advanced network topics, such as GRE/IPSEC tunnels, VRF, VRRP.
• Solid understanding with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS.

Basic Qualifications:

At a Network Engineer Level:

• Must have a Bachelor's of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 2 years of relevant military/professional experience; OR a Master's of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline.

At a Principal Network Engineer Level:

• Must have a Bachelor's of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 5 years of relevant military/professional experience; OR a Master's of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 3 years of relevant military/professional experience, OR a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline AND 1 year of related professional/military experience in Engineering.

And At Both Levels:

• Must have an US Government Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an interim Top Secret prior to starting, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the business (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Must have experience performing requirements analysis and developing technical requirement documentation for hardware/software subsystems.
• Must have experience supporting acquisition activities such as RFP development, supplier coordination, and reviewing supplier deliverables.
• Must have experience with data acquisition from aerospace interfaces, specifically MIL‑STD‑1553 or equivalent bus protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

• DODD 8570 certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar network/security certifications.
• Familiarity with AGILE processes and SCRUM tools (JIRA, Confluence).
• Familiar with Windows and Linux configuration and troubleshooting.
• A professional certification specific to the networking industry like a CCNA/CCNP/CCIE or equivalent.
• Experience with authen