Sr. Principal Network Communications

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

9/80 work schedule

401k matching program

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Linthicum, MD is seeking a Senior Network Communications specialist to design, implement, and maintain large-scale, multidomain networks for classified missions on-site. You will coordinate with government customers, lead architecture roadmaps, and ensure security standards across the enterprise.

The role requires active security clearance, certifications, and experience with LAN/WAN, VTC, and encryption technologies. On-site work and after-hours support may be required.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret level security clearance (at a minimum) or be enrolled in CEP.
• Current Security+ and CCNA certifications must be maintained.
• Experience designing and maintaining complex LAN/WAN networks.
• Experience supporting VTCs and deploying audio/visual technologies in classified environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform Sr. Network Communications activities in support of classified government contracts.
• Define and execute long-term network architecture roadmaps (SDWAN, ZeroTrust, cloud-enabled networking).
• Lead design, integration, and implementation of large-scale multidomain networks for classified missions.
• Serve as senior technical liaison to government customers and internal leadership.
• Author, maintain, and enforce enterprise-wide network standards and security frameworks.
• Provide advanced monitoring, analysis, and planning for network systems; coordinate third-party maintenance.
• Deliver third-level technical support for complex network, hardware, software, and telecom issues.
• Develop innovative technical solutions and ensure adherence to established standards.
• Mentor junior and experienced team members to enhance capabilities.

Education

Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience

Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience

Associate's degree with 10 years of relevant experience

High School Diploma (or equivalent) with 12 years of relevant experience

Tools

Security+ certification

CCNA certification

Cisco Call Manager

TACLANES

Encryption solutions

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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 yours by 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform Sr. Network Communications activities in support of classified government contracts.
• Define and execute long-term network architecture roadmaps, such as SDWAN, ZeroTrust, and cloud-enabled networking, ensuring alignment with enterprise security and compliance requirements.
• Lead the design, integration, and implementation of large-scale, multidomain networks supporting classified missions, and oversee network migrations and cyber resilience initiatives.
• Serve as a senior technical liaison to government customers and internal leadership, negotiating requirements, delivering status briefings, and participating in external technical forums, proposals, and procurement discussions.
• Author, maintain, and enforce enterprise-wide network standards, policies, and security frameworks; regularly audit compliance and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide advanced monitoring, analysis, and planning for network systems, coordinating third-party maintenance as needed and supporting environments through ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, JIRA).
• Deliver third-level technical support for complex network, hardware, software, and telecommunications issues.
• Develop innovative technical solutions to complex problems, support project designs, clarify requirements, and ensure solutions adhere to established standards.
• Raise issues requiring management attention and measure performance against KPIs, implementing corrective actions to exceed operational standards.
• Provide senior-level technical expertise by mentoring junior and experienced team members, fostering their professional growth, and enhancing team capabilities.
• Lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work after hours and weekends, as needed.

Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree with 10 years of relevant experience; a High School Diploma (or equivalent) with 12 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.
• Applicants must have an active U.S. Government Secret level security clearance (at a minimum), to include a closed investigation date completed within the last 6 years, or must be enrolled in the U.S. Government Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) in order to be considered; the required security clearance must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Current Security+ and CCNA certifications; the required certifications must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Demonstrated experience designing and maintaining complex LAN/WAN based networks to include analysis, enhancements of routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Experience supporting Video Teleconferencing (VTCs) and deploying audio/visual technologies in classified environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree Network Engineering.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance.
• Experience supporting Cisco Call Managers or other similar technologies.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing largescale, multidomain network architectures; expertise in advanced routing, security, and mission critical systems.
• Experience with configuring TACLANES, and/or encryption solutions.Experience with Assessment & Authorization processes.
• Experience troubleshooting network procedures and best practices; experience with network challenges associated with systems integration, including COTS integration, capacity analysis, and system architecture design.
• Evidence of published technical papers, patents, or internal knowledge‑sharing contributions.

Benefits

• exceptional benefits/healthcare, a 9/80 work schedule, and a great 401k matching program
• health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

Equal Opportunity & EEO

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.

Citizenship & Clearance

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

Application Period

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Location

Linthicum, MD (on-site, full-time). This position does not offer virtual or telecommute options.

About Northrop Grumman

Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.

Career Opportunities

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work.