Sr. Principal Network Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Sr Principal Network Engineer to join our team in Orlando, FL. You will sustain and troubleshoot a secure, defined network architecture supporting DoD and CLS contracts, with exposure to advanced encryption devices and next-generation firewalls.

The role requires strong Cisco/IOS expertise, DoD Secret clearance, and a track record in end-to-end fault isolation and joint IT/test activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Electrical Engineering or related STEM with 8+ years of network engineering experience OR Master’s in STEM with 6+ years; 12 years in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship and active DoD Secret clearance.
• Extensive hands-on experience configuring Cisco-based network infrastructure at enterprise/mission scale.
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP, routing protocols (OSPF/BGP/EIGRP), VLANs, trunking, spanning-tree, QoS.

Responsibilities

• Sustain and troubleshoot a defined network architecture including secure external connectivity via next-gen firewalls and DoD encryption devices.
• Manage COMSEC materials and cross-train to support system/integration test activities with multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform end-to-end fault isolation to separate product issues from customer network issues under CLS or similar contracts.

Skills

Senior network engineering

DoD security clearance

TCP/IP networking

Firewall concepts

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering

8+ years network engineering experience

Master’s degree in STEM (optional)

Tools

Cisco IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS

Palo Alto firewalls

TACLANE encryption devices

Wireshark/SolarWinds/NetFlow

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

Description

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 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.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems has an opening for a Sr Principal Network Engineer. We are looking for you to join our team as a Sr Principal Network Engineer based out of Orlando, FL. As a Sr Principal Network Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Cross-Domain Handling of Releasable Data (CHORD) portfolio. CHORD is a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Cross Domain Solution (CDS). The CHORD portfolio comprises multiple contract awards and with various customers. The successful candidate will be exceptionally meticulous, collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & personal responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of seeking the best performance from everyone.

Roles & Responsibilities

• The Sr Principal Network Engineer serves as a senior technical resource responsible for sustaining and troubleshooting a fully defined network architecture, including secure external connectivity through next-generation firewalls (preferably Palo Alto) and DoD end-to-end encryption devices such as TACLANE.
• Manages and handles COMSEC material in accordance with DoD directives, and cross-trains as a tester to support system and integration test activities alongside multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• The engineer also performs end-to-end fault isolation to distinguish product issues from customer network issues under a CLS contract.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM discipline with 8+ years of relevant network engineering experience OR Master’s degree in STEM and 6+ years of experience OR 12 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship and Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Extensive hands-on experience configuring, operating, and troubleshooting Cisco-based network infrastructure, including enterprise-/mission-scale switches and routers (IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS).
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP networking, routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), VLANs, trunking, spanning-tree, and QoS.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and troubleshooting a fully defined/fielded network architecture in a production or mission environment.
• Proven ability to perform end-to‑end fault isolation and root cause analysis, including clearly determining whether issues originate within the supported product/system or in the customer’s external network.
• Experience supporting systems under a Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) or similar sustainment contract, including incident/ticket management and documentation of findings.
• Working knowledge of firewall concepts (e.g., security zones, ACLs, NAT, VPNs) and secure external connectivity.
• Familiarity with DoD end‑to‑end encryption devices (e.g., TACLANE or equivalent) and their role in secure network architectures.
• Willingness and ability to cross‑train as a system/test engineer and support execution of formal and informal test activities (e.g., test setup, test execution, defect documentation).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interface with customers, operations staff, and internal engineering/test teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Cisco certification (e.g., CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, or higher).
• Current DoD 8570/8140-compliant cybersecurity certification, such as: CompTIA Security+
• Ability to obtain and maintain a higher DoD clearance status as required
• (ISC)² CISSP (or Associate of CISSP)
• Hands‑on experience with Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including configuration of security policies, NAT, VPNs, and routing, and troubleshooting using logs, packet captures, and CLI/GUI tools.
• Experience integrating Cisco routing/switching with Palo Alto (or similar next‑generation firewalls) to provide secure external connectivity for deployed systems.
• Experience in a senior network engineer role, including reviewing/approving network changes and mentoring junior engineers.
• Experience operating in DoD or other secure/regulated network environments, including exposure to RMF, DISA STIGs, or equivalent cybersecurity/compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, SolarWinds, NetFlow, SNMP) for proactive issue detection and performance troubleshooting.
• Hands‑on experience with TACLANE or similar DoD end‑to‑end encryption devices, including configuration, operational management, and integration with routing and firewall policies.
• Experience managing and handling COMSEC material, including key loading/changes, adherence to handling and storage procedures, and coordination with COMSEC custodians.
• Experience supporting system and integration test activities, such as:
  • Building and configuring test network environments
  • Executing test procedures and capturing objective evidence
  • Reproducing and troubleshooting defects found during test
  • Experience coordinating with multi‑disciplinary teams (systems engineering, software, cybersecurity, logistics, test) to resolve complex field and test issues under CLS or similar support constructs.

Primary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $167,500.00

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. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

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.

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.