Sr Staff Engineer - Network Systems Architect

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 192,800 - 289,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer – Network Systems Architect in Redondo Beach, CA, to drive innovations in space-ground networking and lead a research development team. The position entails overseeing research and applying cutting-edge network technologies in a classified environment.

The ideal candidate possesses significant experience, strong understanding of advanced networking protocols, and an ability to design networks that adhere to cybersecurity protocols. This role is pivotal for the development of next-generation networking solutions.

Qualifications

• At least 14 years of experience with a bachelor's degree.
• Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI.
• Solid understanding of L2–L6 networking.
• Experience developing and maintaining cloud-native SDN controllers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Network Emulation and Research Development team.
• Research in the proliferated space mesh networking sector.
• Design networks that meet unique system requirements.
• Apply cybersecurity controls and guidelines to network design.

Skills

IPv4/IPv6 knowledge

Dynamic routing protocols knowledge

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

GNS3

EVE-NG

Containerlabs

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Northrop Grumman is a leader in revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives worldwide. Their culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and a drive to solve the impossible.

We are seeking a Senior Staff Engineer – Network Systems Architect in Redondo Beach, CA. The role involves leading the Network Emulation and Research Development team and driving cutting‑edge innovation in networking and technology. The position is 100% on site and involves both classified and unclassified work.

Responsibilities

• Ongoing research in the emerging proliferated space mesh networking sector
• Apply open-source/commercial networking standards to space‑ground networks
• Create emulated network architectures using tools such as GNS3, EVE‑NG, and Containerlabs
• Work with Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, and other major vendors
• Design networks that meet unique system requirements and constraints
• Apply SDN concepts – data plane, control plane, and interfaces
• Use MPLS, IPv4/IPv6, SR‑MPLS, traffic engineering, and network emulation techniques
• Deploy virtual router and switch images on various hardware platforms
• Apply cybersecurity controls, Zero‑Trust Architecture, and guidelines to network design

Basic Qualifications

• At least 14 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, 12 years with a master’s, or 10 years with a PhD
• Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI at start
• Extensive knowledge of IPv4/IPv6, subnetting, and L2–L6 networking
• Solid understanding of dynamic routing protocols such as IS‑IS, OSPF, BGP
• Knowledge of carrier‑grade protocols—TP‑MPLS, SR‑MPLS, PCEP
• Experience in open‑source management/control plane interfaces (gNMI, RPC, YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF)
• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining cloud‑native SDN controllers
• Experience with DISA STIGs as applied to network devices
• Previous leadership experience
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• SCI clearance
• Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline
• Experience with Cisco, Juniper, and Nokia applications
• Proof of experience with Software Defined Networking
• Experience with hypervisors such as VMware, OpenShift, etc.
• Experience in virtual environments required to host router images (containers, hypervisors, VMs)
• Knowledge of crypto units such as HAIPE
• Experience with AWS
• Experience with Network Emulation (Containerlabs, EVE‑NG, GNS3)
• Mathematical familiarity with networking and traffic engineering algorithms (Dijkstra’s, Multi‑Commodity Flow)
• CISSP, Cisco, and/or Juniper certifications
• Knowledge of bridging hardware to software and virtual environments
• Knowledge of multiple hardware bases (x86, AMD, ARM)
• Awareness of industry partners and technology disruptors
• Experience with subcontract management
• Security+ or better certification
• Adjudicated CI Polyion
• Familiarity with space architectures

Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 – $289,200.00. This range represents a general guideline; actual offers depend on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, and market conditions.

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses. Additional incentives for VP or Director positions may include long‑term incentives. The company offers comprehensive benefits: health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For the 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.