Senior Staff Network Engineer (R4843)

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Dallas is seeking a Senior Staff Network Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network infrastructures across LAN/WAN, cloud, and on‑prem environments. You will blend strategic leadership with hands‑on engineering to architect secure, scalable systems.

The role requires deep expertise in cybersecurity, zero‑trust models, and base media and infrastructure for UAV C2 systems, focusing on risk reduction and compliance.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret clearance.
• BS/MS in cybersecurity, CS, or related IT field.
• 8+ years in platform engineering, cyber, network engineering and architecture roles.
• Strong expertise in cybersecurity concepts, models (e.g., zero trust).
• Hands-on experience with networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls).
• Experience designing and managing server rooms and physical infrastructure.
• Experience with containers and cloud security.
• Experience with DoD cybersecurity infrastructures and trade studies.

Responsibilities

• Define, decompose, allocate and implement cyber security requirements into system architecture.
• Define and enforce network security architecture with cybersecurity standards.
• Develop documentation for AT0s (Authorizations to Operate).
• Design and optimize secure network topologies including firewalls, VPNs, zero-trust models.
• Oversee server room infrastructure design, cabling, power, cooling, and hardware layout.
• Develop Base Media solutions to mitigate cyber risks and POAMs.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams on threat detection and incident response.
• Evaluate network hardware technologies, vendors, and solutions.
• Develop network standards, documentation, and roadmaps.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and performance through proactive design and monitoring.

Skills

Zero trust architecture

Network engineering

Cybersecurity concepts

System design

Threat detection

Incident response

DoD clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity

Master’s degree in Cybersecurity

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering

Tools

Networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls)

Load balancers

Terraform

Ansible

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Position Overview:

We areseekinga highly experienced Senior StaffNetworkEngineerto lead the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network infrastructures. This role requires deepexpertiseacross network engineering, cybersecurity protocols,base mediadevelopmentand server room / hardware infrastructure, with a strong ability to architect scalable, secure, and resilient systems.

The ideal candidate willoperateat a strategic level whileremaininghands-on, serving as a technicalexpertand key decision-maker across network, basemediaand infrastructure domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, decompose,allocateand implement cyber security requirements into system architecture.

• Define and enforce network security architecture, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and best practices.

• Develop documentation for installations and configurationsrequiredto obtain Authorizations to Operate (ATOs).

• Design and optimize secure network topologies, including segmentation, firewalls, VPNs, and zero-trust models.

• Design & oversee server room infrastructure, including rack design, cabling, power, cooling, and hardware layout for high availability.

• Develop Base Media solutionsthat enable execution of Plans of Actions and Milestones (POAMs) to mitigate cyber risks.

• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement threat detection, mitigation, and incident response strategies.

• Evaluate and select network and hardware technologies, vendors, and solutions.

• Develop network standards, documentation, and architectural roadmaps.

• Ensure system scalability, reliability, and performance through proactive design and monitoring strategies.

• Support troubleshooting and resolution of complex network and infrastructureissues.

• Lead the architecture, design, and deployment of enterprise-grade network infrastructure (LAN, WAN, cloud, and hybrid environments).

Required qualifications:

• This position requires the ability to obtain andmaintaina DoD government clearance at the Secret level

• Bachelor’s orMaster’sdegree inCybersecurity,Computer Science,ComputerEngineering, orrelatedITfield

• 8+ years of experience inplatform engineering, cyber,network engineering and architecture roles

• StrongexpertiseinCyber best practice security concepts, models, and methods (e.g., zero trust architecture and maturity model, advanced

• Hands-on experience with networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers)

• Proven experience designing and managing server rooms, including physical infrastructure

• Working knowledge of containers and securing the infrastructure through the cloud

• Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity infrastructuresand experience researching new Cybersecurity capabilities and performing trade studies

• Experience working inNetworkEngineering/ Base Media Development for UAV C2 Systemsor similar applications

• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

• Industry certifications such as CCIE, CCNP, CISSP, or equivalent

• Experience designing architectures for classified networks.

• Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) and network automation

• Familiarity with DevOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)

• Experience modeling complex network systems in a modeling tool such as NX or SolidWorks.

• Knowledge of compliance requirements (e.g.DoD, or other regulated environments)

$170,000 - $250,000 a year

Full-time regular employee offer package:

• Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

• Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.