Senior Network Engineer

Sphinx Defense; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Profit sharing

401(k) contribution

Employer-covered healthcare (MS/VS/DV)

Job summary

Sphinx Defense is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, secure, and maintain resilient enterprise networks supporting national security space systems. You’ll work across classified and unclassified networks, collaborating with software, infrastructure, and cybersecurity teams.

The role emphasizes ownership of complex infrastructure challenges, with hands-on networking expertise and systems thinking, in a government/defense environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise or mission-critical network infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience with routing, switching, firewalls, and security-focused designs.
• Comfort working in classified or highly secure environments.
• Experience with Cisco networking technologies and enterprise protocols.
• Experience supporting cloud or hybrid infrastructure environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot secure network infrastructure.
• Support routers, switches, firewalls, gateways, and other enterprise networking tech.
• Investigate and resolve network performance, reliability, and connectivity issues across LAN/WAN.
• Maintain compliance with government security requirements in classified networks.
• Perform network monitoring, packet analysis, and root-cause troubleshooting with standard tools.
• Collaborate with cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity teams for modernization and scalability.
• Contribute to security controls and segmentation strategies.
• Assist with documentation, technical analysis, and operational reporting for stakeholders.
• Drive infrastructure improvements to increase reliability, automation, and efficiency.
• Support DNS, DHCP, IP management, and other core network services.

Skills

10+ years enterprise network

Cisco networking technologies

Network troubleshooting

Secure network architectures

Cloud/hybrid infrastructure

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Cisco IOS

Job description

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better.

We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

ABOUT SPHINX

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better.

We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Sphinx is hiring a Senior Network Engineer to help design, build, secure, and maintain resilient network infrastructure supporting next‑generation national security space systems. This role will support mission‑critical systems across classified and unclassified networks, and will require closely collaborating with software, infrastructure, products teams to ensure reliable and secure connectivity for operational systems.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys owning complex infrastructure challenges and can bring a strong mix of hands‑on networking expertise and systems thinking to the team. You will ensure that the infrastructure underpinning critical national security space missions is performant and secure. This role is designed for someone with deep technical experience supporting enterprise or mission‑focused environments, particularly within government, defense, or highly regulated spaces.

What you will be focusing on:

• Designing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting secure network infrastructure
• Supporting routers, switches, firewalls, gateways, and other enterprise networking technologies
• Investigating and resolving network performance, reliability, and connectivity issues across LAN/WAN environments
• Supporting secure classified network environments and maintaining compliance with government security requirements
• Performing network monitoring, packet analysis, and root cause troubleshooting using industry‑standard tools
• Collaborating with cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity teams to support modernization and scalability efforts
• Assisting with implementation and maintenance of network security controls and segmentation strategies
• Supporting documentation, technical analysis, and operational reporting for internal and customer stakeholders
• Contributing to infrastructure improvements that increase reliability, automation, and operational efficiency
• Supporting DNS, DHCP, IP management, and other core network services in enterprise environments

You might be a good fit if you:

• Have 10+ years of experience supporting enterprise or mission‑critical network infrastructure
• Have hands‑on experience with network troubleshooting, routing and switching, firewalls, and secure network architectures
• Are comfortable working within classified or highly secure environments
• Have experience with Cisco networking technologies and enterprise networking protocols
• Have experience analyzing network traffic and troubleshooting complex connectivity issues
• Have experience supporting cloud or hybrid infrastructure environments
• Can clearly communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Are highly collaborative, self‑motivated, and comfortable operating in fast‑paced environments with evolving priorities
• Hold an active TS/SCI clearance or are eligible to obtain one

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience supporting multi‑cloud or hybrid cloud networking environments
• Familiarity with infrastructure automation or network scripting tools
• Experience supporting space, defense, or government mission environments
• Hold an active DOD 8570 IAT Level II certification or higher (i.e. Security+)

LOCATION

This is a hybrid role based in Colorado Springs, CO, with a combination of onsite and remote work.

COMPENSATION

This role is between $144,000 - $176,000 base salary.

BENEFITS

Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be a US Citizen.
Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.

EEO STATEMENT

At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sphinx Defense is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances:click here .

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITARhere .