Senior Network Engineer

avav; Maryland; On-site; USD 150,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with company match

9/80 work schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking an experienced Enterprise Networking and Linux Systems Engineer to design and implement large-scale Cisco-based networks and Linux-based infrastructures for mission-critical operations.

You will lead small technical teams, create architecture diagrams and implementation plans, and ensure security and compliance across networks and systems. Periodic travel may be required, and TS/SCI clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in network engineering with enterprise or mission-critical environments.
• Hands-on Cisco routing, switching, firewall, VPN, IDS/IPS experience.
• Extensive Linux networking and production Linux systems experience.
• Experience with KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, VPN, and firewall configurations.
• Ability to design and document networked systems and architectures.
• Proven leadership of technical teams in complex environments.
• Self-starter with minimal ramp-up time or mentoring resources.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end network and systems architectures integrating Linux hosts, network gear, and security components.
• Develop high-quality architecture diagrams, network design documents, and implementation plans.
• Translate operational requirements into practical network/system designs and configurations.
• Contribute to system integration, testing, and validation of complex networked solutions.
• Lead small technical teams in resolving complex infrastructure issues.
• Provide technical direction for operation, configuration, and maintenance of devices and systems.
• Ensure security, compliance, and operational requirements are met.

Skills

Leadership

Independent work

Network design

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Communication

Security clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE

Tools

Cisco IOS

KVM

Ansible

Bash

Python

Job description

Enterprise / Traditional Networking

• Design, implement, configure, and support enterprise network infrastructures, including routers, switches, firewalls, and security appliances.
• Install, configure, and maintain Cisco routing and switching platforms (e.g., Cisco 7600, 6500, and 3750 series or equivalent).
• Develop and translate network security requirements and policies into detailed device configurations.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve network performance, connectivity, and security issues.
• Manage and support Cisco ASA firewalls, VPN technologies, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network management tools.
• Design and implement enterprise‑level / ISP‑grade backbone networks to support mission‑critical operations.
• Understand and work with Cisco ACI concepts and operations, including fabric concepts and integration with existing network architectures.
• Understand basic physical connectivity, including fiber and Ethernet standards, optics, cabling, and patching.

Linux Networking & Systems

• Design, configure, and troubleshoot Linux-based networking (e.g., routing, bridging, VLANs, iptables/nftables, routing daemons, VPNs, firewalls) in production environments.
• Configure and maintain Linux systems used as network infrastructure components (e.g., virtual routers, VPN concentrators, security gateways, monitoring platforms).
• Utilize tools and technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, and related automation/orchestration frameworks to deploy and manage networked Linux systems.
• Work effectively at the intersection of traditional Cisco‑style networking and Linux system administration, with a particular focus on deep Linux networking rather than general‑purpose system administration alone.

Systems Engineering

• Design end‑to‑end systems that integrate Linux hosts, network equipment, and security components to meet defined operational and security requirements.
• Develop high‑quality technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, network/system design documents, and implementation plans.
• Translate mission and operational requirements into practical, implementable network and system architectures.
• Contribute to system integration, test, and validation activities for complex networked solutions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead and guide small technical teams in resolving complex network and infrastructure problems.
• Provide technical direction for the operation, configuration, optimization, and maintenance of network devices and Linux‑based systems.
• Ensure network and system environments meet security, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Support cellular/networked communications technologies as required by the mission.
• Learn and adapt quickly to new systems and technologies under pressure, with minimal supervision.
• Support occasional travel as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in network engineering, including routing, switching, and network security in enterprise or mission‑critical environments.
• Significant hands‑on experience with Cisco networking and security technologies (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).
• Demonstrated, practical experience with Linux networking and Linux systems in an operational or production environment (beyond basic Linux system administration).
• Experience with tools/technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, VPN, and firewall configuration.
• Proven ability to design and document networked systems and architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and resolve complex network and infrastructure issues.
• Self‑starter capable of operating independently in small teams with limited ramp‑up time or mentoring resources.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior CNO/TAO or similar offensive/defensive cyber operations experience.
• Experience with Cisco ACI design/operations.
• Experience with cellular and other non‑traditional communications technologies.
• Experience supporting mission‑critical, high‑availability environments with strict security requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support operations, testing, or deployments.

Salary Range

$150,000 - $265,000

The AV company pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15.

Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.