Principal Network Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Southern Pines (NC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive pay

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

Paid time off (3 weeks)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation seeks a Principal Network Engineer to lead strategic network infrastructure across our MST product lines. You will architect, implement, and maintain secure networks, guiding teams in adopting new technologies and best practices while ensuring high reliability and performance.

The role requires deep expertise in TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Cisco equipment, and cloud platforms (Azure/AWS). You will work in a hybrid office environment with opportunities to influence DoD and DHS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years in network engineering or related field; substitutions allowed for degree.
• Strong knowledge of OS and networking concepts.
• Experience with Cisco networking equipment and advanced networking technologies.
• Experience designing and managing network implementation projects.
• Experience with network security policies and SLA management.
• Experience with DevSecOps or security-focused DevOps is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic vision and execution of the product line's network infrastructure designs.
• Drive adoption of new technologies and best practices within the team.
• Oversee development and enforcement of network security policies and procedures.
• Configure and maintain Azure and AWS environments.
• Manage Windows Server and Linux configurations.
• Administer Nutanix platforms.

Skills

Cisco equipment

Networking protocols

TCP/IP DNS DHCP

Network security

Project leadership

Network automation

Zero trust networking

DevSecOps

Azure AWS

Windows Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Azure

AWS

Nutanix

Cisco IOS

Job description

Do you have an eye for detail and a passion for developing innovation solutions? As a Principal Network Engineer, you will be at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in network engineering. You will provide visionary leadership in the design, implementation, and maintenance of cutting‑edge network solutions. This position will require a blend of technical prowess, leadership skills, and extensive experience in network engineering. This role demands exceptional technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to network security and reliability. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn‑key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of the product line's network infrastructure design, implement, expand, and maintain highly advanced and secure network architectures.
• Drive the adoption of new technologies and best practices within the engineering team.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of network security policies and procedures.
• Azure and AWS configuration and maintenance.
• Windows Server and Linux operating system configuration and maintenance.
• Nutanix administration.

Qualifications – You Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in a related field. Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications.
• In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 14 years of related experience is required.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Strong knowledge of operating systems and networking concepts.
• Ability to rapidly work with minimal supervision on projects involving both small and large teams.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative, fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Mastery of network protocols and services [e.g., Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)].
• Extensive experience with Cisco networking equipment and advanced networking technologies.
• Experience supporting a corporate network, maintaining SLA's, providing support to corporate IT departments.
• Experience Design & manage network implementation projects in a dynamic fast paced environment.

Qualifications – We Prefer:

• Experience implementing DevSecOps processes within existing DevOps pipelines.
• IAT Level III certification (CISSP, CASP, GCIH, etc.).
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.
• Expertise in Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) WAN, Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD‑WAN), and emerging networking technologies.
• Strong background in network security and compliance.
• Proven track record of leading and managing complex network projects.
• Extensive and demonstrated hands‑on expertise and experience with a wide variety of network related tools, concepts, technologies, best practices and security procedures.
• Extensive and demonstrated expertise knowledge of MPLS, DNS, DHCP, directional wireless.
• Extensive experience with network hardware, protocols, and media including but not limited to Fiber Optics, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Internetwork Operating System (IOS), SD‑WAN, DNS, DHCP, wireless.
• Experience in past roles as a principal network engineer or architect.
• Hands‑on experience with network automation platforms.
• Experience engineering zero trust networking solutions.

Essential Functions:

• Must be able to lift 25 lbs regularly.
• Work primarily at a computer for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hand/finger dexterity for computer work.
• Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• The ability to participate in afterhours on‑call duties.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission‑focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state‑of‑the‑art technologies that safeguard freedom, SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non‑traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid‑tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.