Principal Network Engineer

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 103,600 - 155,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Exceptional healthcare benefits

401k matching program

Job summary

Join 0090 CORP-Corporate Office as a Principal Network Engineer, based in Sunnyvale, CA. This key role focuses on designing and deploying advanced network solutions that meet Northrop Grumman's high standards.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in network engineering, including familiarity with Cisco technology and security provisions. Exceptional benefits and a supportive work environment make this position an exciting opportunity for experienced engineers.

Qualifications

• Current U.S. Government Secret level security clearance required.
• Experience with Cisco, Firewall Technology, and cellular technology.
• Knowledge of scalable network engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design enterprise level network solutions.
• Troubleshoot WAN, LAN, and SD-WAN environments.
• Implement security policies as per DoD guidelines.

Skills

Cisco Router and Switch equipment

TCP/IP protocol

LAN/WAN protocols and technologies

Managed network solutions

Security policy enforcement

Education

Associate's degree with 7 years of relevant experience

Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience

Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience

PhD with 1 year of relevant experience

High School Diploma with 9 years of relevant experience

Tools

Network Associates Sniffer

Cisco Firewalls

Palo Alto Firewalls

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes. CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

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. At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and secure technological solutions to enable strategic objectives. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we will support your mission of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you will have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

Northrop Grumman’s Corporate Sector’s Chief Information & Digital Office (CIDO) is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to support its IT Infrastructure & Operations organization’s Network Communications and Visibility (NCV) team in Sunnyvale, CA. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time at our Sunnyvale campus. Their primary focus will be on supporting the Sunnyvale campus, with enterprise-wide responsibilities across the Northrop Grumman network footprint.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and deploy site and enterprise level network solutions in accordance with Northrop Grumman standards and best practices.
• Produce comprehensive design review packages, including schematics, bill-of-materials, and implementation schedules.
• Install and commission Cisco core network equipment (routers, multilayer switches, firewalls, wireless controllers, and access points).
• Coordinate fiber-optic and copper cabling projects with suppliers and internal construction teams.
• Provide Tier 2/3 troubleshooting for WAN, LAN, and SD-WAN environments, ensuring 99.9% availability of firewalls, routing, and wireless services.
• Execute corrective actions, hardware replacements, and software upgrades while maintaining accurate documentation in our configuration management database (CMDB).
• Serve as the primary technical liaison with vendors (Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, etc.) for escalations, service definitions, and new service onboarding.
• Work closely with the Sunnyvale sector customer base to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Implement and enforce security policies for network segmentation, access control, and vulnerability remediation in line with DoD and NIST guidelines.
• Participate in after-action reviews, recommend process enhancements, and mentor junior engineers on best-in-class networking practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience, Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience, Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience, or a PhD with 1 year of relevant experience; a High School Diploma or equivalent with 9 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.
• Applicants must have a current U.S. Government Secret level security clearance (at a minimum), with a closed investigation date completed within the last 6 years, or must be enrolled in the DoD Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) in order to be considered; the required security clearance must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Experience with managed network solutions and large-scale technical network engineering project experience.
• Experience with Cisco Router and Switch equipment, Firewall Cisco Network Equipment, Cisco Wireless Technology, and Cellular Technology.
• A strong knowledge of the TCP/IP protocol, Cisco Router and Switch products.
• Knowledge and experience with LAN/WAN protocols and technologies such as multicast, QoS, CoS & OSPF.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SD-WAN methodologies/equipment a plus.
• Experience leading enterprise projects for large networks.
• Experience in designing network solutions.
• Experience leading network implementation projects.
• Project Management certification.
• Experience using test equipment such as the Network Associates Sniffer, cable and fiber optics test sets, and other protocol analyzers.
• A strong knowledge of Cisco and Palo Alto Firewalls.
• Current U.S. government Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 (general guideline; may vary by factors such as scope, responsibilities, and candidate experience).
• Flexible work arrangements, learning opportunities, broad portfolio, very friendly team environment.
• Exceptional benefits/healthcare, 9/80 work schedule, and a 401k matching program.
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long-term incentives depending on position.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.