Network Software Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

robust education assistance program

unparalleled retirement contributions

healthy work/life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland, is looking for a Network Software Engineer to develop solutions for critical government communications. The role demands over 10 years of software development experience, especially in Linux environments, and a strong understanding of networking concepts. The ideal candidate is adept in languages like C, C++, and Python, with essential debugging skills. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar is required, along with an active Top Secret security clearance. This position offers a salary range of $100,000 to $245,000 annually.

Qualifications

• At least ten years of relevant experience in software system development.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals.
• Demonstrated skill with software development best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop software systems for critical communications.
• Lead software application development initiatives.
• Interact with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Rust

BASH scripting

TCP/IP

network debugging tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science

Tools

Linux

tcpdump

Wireshark

Job description

Description

Do you love to develop creative and impactful communications and networked systems solutions for the nation's most critical challenges? Are you searching for meaningful work in software engineering? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking an experienced Network Software Engineer to help us solve the nation's security challenges. As a member of our team, you will be responsible for the design, development, integration, and test of communications and network software, including protocol implementation, network services, and distributed systems for the Government across numerous departments and agencies. Our solutions need to be able to operate in a timely and reliable manner in degraded or contested environments, ranging from integration or adoption of existing solutions to first-of-their-kind capabilities. Ultimately, you will join a team whose goal is to build meaningful capabilities to enable the availability of information to decision makers and warfighters under challenging conditions.

You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers and scientists who are passionate about building creative and novel communication systems. Our team is committed to national security. We strive to cultivate an environment that promotes professional growth and a balanced life. We value the exchange of different thoughts and ideas.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical contributions and leadership in the development of software systems as part of critical communications systems for the Government.
• Provide thought leadership in the areas of communications systems and application software development by teaming with colleagues to propose creative approaches and new concepts to address hard problems.
• Architect, develop, integrate, and test software‑based command and control, secure communication, and networking systems in operationally realistic environments, working closely with sponsors to ensure mission success.
• Interact with technical specialists in other fields as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Detail work in technical reports and memoranda and present work to sponsors and the technical community.

The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals and experience with networking concepts to understand performance tradeoffs of networked systems and systems of systems.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or another related, technical discipline.
• At least ten years of relevant experience in the development of software systems, ideally in a Linux environment.
• A strong understanding of networking fundamentals (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, routing, switching, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS).
• Demonstrated skill with software development following current software engineering best practices using several of the following languages: C, C++, Python, Rust, and BASH scripting.
• Experience devising approaches and using tools to debug networked systems (e.g., tcpdump, Wireshark, netstat, ss).
• Excellent interpersonal skills, work independently, and work in a multi‑organizational team.
• Willingness and ability to travel on an as needed basis.
• An active Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:

• A Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or another related, technical discipline.
• At least twenty years of relevant experience in the development of software systems.
• Experience leading software projects and managing teams of engineers.
• Exposure to U.S. Government and military communication systems and network technologies, voice and video streaming, or conferencing software.
• Experience implementing or adapting network protocols (application, transport, routing, or custom protocols).
• Deep knowledge of Linux networking internals (kernel stack, netfilter, eBPF, XDP).
• Experience developing and troubleshooting real‑time, low‑latency, or high‑bandwidth systems.
• Experience with container networking and orchestration (Kubernetes, CNI plugins, service meshes).
• Familiarity with software‑defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV).
• Experience and passion for DevOps practices, processes, and tools.
• Experience applying software expertise to full project lifecycles, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, and testing.
• An active Top Secret security clearance with SSBI and have recently been adjudicated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually