Principal Network Engineer

Iridium Satellite LLC; Chandler (AZ); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Iridium Satellite LLC is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to manage and build reliable network infrastructures. This position requires collaborating with multiple teams and designing networking solutions to support LAN/WAN networks across diverse technologies.

The successful candidate should have extensive experience with Cisco hardware, AWS services, and network troubleshooting, ideally supported by a Bachelor's degree in IT or a related field. A hybrid work model is available, with at least 60% on-site presence.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience managing and maintaining mid-to-large scale LAN/WAN networks.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with designing and configuring networks.
• In-depth knowledge of IP routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal and external teams for tasks and projects.
• Independently determine methods for networking installations.
• Lead efforts to address complex networking issues.

Skills

Networking and security hardware expertise

Problem-solving skills

Critical thinking

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar field

Tools

Cisco routers and switches

AWS Cloud services

Fortinet firewalls

Palo Alto firewalls

Ansible

Job description

Principal Network Engineer

Location(s): McLean, VA | Chandler, AZ

Job ID: 2026-4975

What We’re Looking For

If you are passionate about deploying disruptive technology, then you will be excited about the Principal Network Engineer opening with Iridium. As Principal Network Engineer, you’ll be working with senior management and use your knowledge and experience to establish strategic plans and objectives as it relates to Iridium’s Enterprise, Mission, and Commercial networks. You will be responsible for managing multiple activities and projects, collaborating across functional teams, that include designing, implementing, managing, maintaining, and troubleshooting networking and security hardware, protocols, and features necessary to ensure a reliable and scalable network infrastructure. In this role, you will work independently to determine methods and procedures, to develop, improve or redesign processes, tools, and methodologies within, and outside of, the team, and to contribute to the overall success of our customer and Iridium by designing and implementing solutions that follow industry best practices.

What You’ll Do

• Use your technical expertise and knowledge of Iridium business to collaborate with internal and external teams, manage operations and engineering tasks and projects, and provide guidance and recommendations to colleagues, team members, and the management team.
• Independently determine methods and procedures that lead to the successful installation, configuration, and management of networking devices such as Cisco ISR/ASR routers, Catalyst and Nexus switches, Fortinet and Palo Alto firewalls, and AWS Cloud services.
• Lead efforts to understand how complex issues are or could be affecting reliable network operations.
• Utilize critical thinking skills and an in-depth evaluation of complex factors to identify, design, and present innovative and creative solutions from concept through completion to support LAN and WAN across multiple sites.
• Provide technical assistance to Iridium Ops‑team with issues related to WAN traffic congestion, latency issues, link outages, and performance, provide authoritative advice to management, and leverage knowledge to enhance process/procedure supporting the Iridium systems operations.
• Work independently to perform installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of networking and security hardware, operating systems, and review work of junior team members.
• Conduct research on network products, services, protocols and standards to remain abreast of developments in the DevOps and network industries, technologies, and best practices and transform research to support direction and decision making.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or similar field.
• 10+ years of experience managing and maintaining mid‑to‑large scale LAN/WAN networks that include Cisco routers, switches, firewall and other vendors networking technologies.
• 5+ years’ hands‑on experience with designing, configuring, deploying and managing complex networks that comprise multiple technologies and vendors.
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding, and multi‑year hands‑on experience configuring, managing, and maintaining IP routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP.
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding, and multi‑year hands‑on experience of IP communication protocols such as OSI model, MPLS, spanning‑tree, VDC, VRF, VPC, VSS, NHRP, and MCLAG.
• Excellent network troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in a high‑pressure environment. Work on issues requiring an in‑depth knowledge of the network and related variable factors and autonomously make decisions or create solutions to address problems.
• Have confidence and be able to build relationships with leadership and colleagues outside of our team. Can clearly summarize information and confidently present to them solutions and ideas they may be unfamiliar with and present with confidence and conviction complex results and analyses.
• Capable of managing and prioritizing own tasks, and the tasks of others, while adhering to deadlines and managing shifting priorities. Leads by example to promote adherence to deadlines, policies, and procedures.
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions and come up with out‑of‑the‑box solutions.

Things That Would Be Great if You Brought to the Table

• Experience configuring and managing AWS cloud features, solutions, and services such as VPC, Direct Connect Gateway, Transit Gateway, and AWS partners virtual appliances such as routers and firewalls.
• Experience with configuration management, application deployment, provisioning, and orchestration tools such as Ansible.
• Comfortable working in a Linux environment, RHEL preferred, and virtualized environment.
• Well versed in use of MS Office Suite and Visio.
• Network certifications like CCNP or CompTIA Network+.

We’ll Also Need You To

• Be available to support 24x7 on‑call on an as‑needed basis.
• Be able to travel occasionally, typically 3 to 4 times per year.
• Be a US Citizen; provide dual citizenship information, if applicable.
• Be able to lift 25 lbs. and climb a ladder.
• Must be able to work a hybrid schedule that includes at least 60% of your time (3 days per week) in‑office.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in‑person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship‑building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.