Network Transport Engineer

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 119,736 - 197,604; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University seeks a Network Architect to join the Innovation and Technical Operations Department in San Diego, CA. You will design and deploy secure, scalable network solutions across field and remote locations and provide guidance to systems administrators.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, an active Top Secret clearance, and knowledge of DoD IA policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 6+ years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Active Top Secret clearance required; ability to obtain DoD access.
• Proven experience designing and implementing network architectures.
• Knowledge of DoD IA policies and security best practices.
• Comfort working in customer-facing roles and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement complex network solutions across field/remote locations.
• Install and configure network equipment; support systems administrators.
• Monitor performance; lead troubleshooting across sites.
• Maintain network engineering tools library for testing and diagnosis.
• Develop and document standards, procedures, and guidelines.
• Produce installation, configuration, and troubleshooting documentation.
• Work with customers to plan and strategize.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

IAT Level 2

DoD IA policies

Jira/Confluence/GitLab

Network architecture

Agile methodologies

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Jira

Confluence

GitLab

Job description

Position

We are searching for a Network Architect to join our Innovation and Technical Operations Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University.

Your work location is San Diego, CA.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement communications complex solutions (CI/CD) that can be deployed to field/remote locations to connect secure facilities and support the exchange of required data within a cloud environment.
• Participate in the design and implementation of approved networking and transport solutions to support long‑term information system management goals; install and configure network equipment, and provide support to systems administrators.
• Monitor computer systems to improve network performance; lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve networking issues between local and external sites.
• Manage and maintain a library of network engineering tools for system testing and diagnosis of network‑related issues, locally and abroad.
• Apply leading‑edge principles, theories, and concepts to develop, maintain, and implement network engineering standards, procedures, and guidelines.
• Maintain current knowledge and implement best practices in networking security to provide the best solutions and protection to information systems.
• Produce documentation to support installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and operator use of systems.
• Contribute technical content and tutorials to product documentation.
• Work directly with customers to plan and strategize.

Additional Responsibilities (Higher‑Level Position)

• Serve as the technical architect responsible for developing and maintaining technical architecture standards, principles, and processes.
• Establish a technical architecture discipline and lead enterprise implementation and collaboration.
• Lead and/or contribute to the development of technical architecture strategies for a broad range of core infrastructure and services.
• Lead the review of current and future system technical architecture designs to ensure they deliver required performance, availability, resiliency, and capacity to support business and mission‑critical activities.
• Research architectural best practices and collaborate to establish and implement best practices.
• Analyze, design, and plan the phases of technology systems.

Required Skills / Experience

• Implementation and understanding of engineering principles in a professional environment.
• Development, implementation, and maintenance of network architectures.
• Experience maintaining, configuring, operating, and troubleshooting complex electronic computer interface systems and network equipment.
• Active government Top Secret security clearance.
• Minimum IAT Level 2 (CompTIA Security+ and OS/Computing Environment certification).
• Working knowledge of DoD Information Assurance (IA) policies applied to the design and maintenance of communications solutions.
• Flexibility and comfort in a customer‑facing role, working within company and customer schedule requirements that may vary depending on criticality and necessity.
• Ability to work independently and implement technical solutions autonomously.
• Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to define and formulate ideas to reach a solution.
• Ability to represent successful completion of work in Agile management systems (e.g., Jira, Confluence, GitLab).

Preferred Certifications

• CCNA/CCNP
• Palo Alto PCNSE
• Juniper JNCIS/JNCIP

Work Location & Travel

Work is fully on‑site in San Diego, CA and will be in secure facilities approximately 75% of the time. Remote work may be available in a limited capacity. Up to 25% travel may be required to support distant installation or break‑fix actions at quick notice.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Bachelor's Degree with 6+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. No additional certifications required.

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. A U.S. citizen is required.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $119,736.00 – $197,604.00, inclusive of adjustments based on geographic work location. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, substantial paid time off, and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.

EEO Is the Law

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.