Tier II Network Engineer (Help Desk)

DRS Global; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits package

Paid time off

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead design, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical C2/ISR transport networks for SOCOM GAN. You will guide secure SATCOM, baseband, and terrestrial IP/MPLS/SDN environments, ensuring latency reduction and high availability.

Candidates should have TS clearance eligibility and a strong background in DoD security frameworks, network architecture, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility; U.S. Citizenship required.
• Master's degree in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Network Security and/or Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Network/Web Security, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience supporting SOCOM GAN programs as a Principal Communications/IT Engineer or equivalent senior technical role.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience implementing DoD Information Assurance (IA), Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), and secure network architectures.
• Advanced experience designing, implementing, and sustaining SATCOM/baseband, ground gateway, terrestrial IP/MPLS/SDN networks, routing architectures, and enterprise communications infrastructure.
• Experience implementing and optimizing routing protocols, QoS, MPLS, SD-WAN, network monitoring, telemetry, automation, and enterprise transport technologies.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification or equivalent enterprise infrastructure certification is preferred.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to engage technical teams, customers, cybersecurity organizations, and program leadership.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, operate, and optimize mission-critical transport architectures supporting SOCOM GAN and C2/ISR communications environments.
• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of secure communications across SATCOM, terrestrial transport, and enterprise networking environments.
• Provide technical leadership for network architecture, system integration, modernization efforts, and operational sustainment activities.
• Develop and maintain network architectures, technical designs, configuration standards, diagrams, implementation plans, test procedures, and runbooks.
• Lead site surveys, network installations, system integrations, cutovers, acceptance activities, and operational transitions.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity capabilities including encryption solutions, CSfC, RMF artifacts, STIGs, vulnerability remediation, and security artifacts.
• Engineer monitoring, telemetry, automation, and visibility solutions to improve performance, reliability, and mission readiness.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting, incident response, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions across complex transport environments.

Skills

Network architecture

Cybersecurity

Routing & QoS

SD-WAN

Satellite basics

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in Computer Engineering (Network Security)

Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems (Network/Web Security)

Tools

CCNP Enterprise

JNCIP

SD-WAN certification

MCSE

Job description

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world's most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

This role is fully onsite at Pope AAF, NC.

What You'll Do / Impact You'll Own:

In this role, you'll serve as the principal technical authority for SES Space & Defense's mission-critical C2/ISR transport infrastructure, providing advanced network engineering, architecture, integration, and sustainment support for global SOCOM GAN operations. You'll lead the design, implementation, and optimization of secure communications capabilities across SATCOM, terrestrial transport, and enterprise networking environments while ensuring resilient, mission-ready connectivity supporting operational objectives.

• Design, integrate, operate, and optimize mission-critical transport architectures supporting SOCOM GAN and C2/ISR communications environments, including SATCOM/baseband systems, ground gateways, terrestrial IP/MPLS/SDN networks, and enterprise transport solutions.
• Serve as a principal communications and IT engineering authority, providing technical leadership for network architecture, system integration, modernization efforts, and operational sustainment activities.
• Engineer and implement advanced networking capabilities including routing, switching, SD-WAN, ISP interconnects, and transport optimization utilizing technologies such as BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and Quality of Service (QoS) to improve reliability, latency, and mission performance.
• Develop and maintain network architectures, technical designs, configuration standards, network diagrams, implementation plans, test procedures, and operational runbooks supporting complex mission environments.
• Lead site surveys, network installations, system integrations, cutovers, acceptance activities, and operational transitions supporting geographically distributed communications infrastructure.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity capabilities including encryption solutions, Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC), secure network configurations, RMF documentation, STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation, and security compliance artifacts.
• Engineer monitoring, telemetry, automation, and operational visibility solutions to improve network performance, fault detection, service reliability, and mission readiness.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting, incident response, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions across complex transport environments while coordinating with Technical Support Organizations (TSOs), Network Operations Centers (NOCs), cybersecurity teams, and program leadership.
• Collaborate with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and program management teams to support technology modernization, architecture improvements, and lifecycle management initiatives.
• Provide technical recommendations, engineering assessments, and subject matter expertise to ensure the continued evolution and operational effectiveness of secure global communications infrastructure.

Who You Are / Impact You'll Own:

You are a principal-level Network Engineer and communications technology expert with extensive experience supporting Department of Defense Special Operations Forces communications programs and mission-critical transport environments. You combine deep technical expertise in network architecture, cybersecurity, and communications engineering with the ability to lead complex engineering initiatives supporting global operations.

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility/access and the ability to maintain the required clearance; U.S. Citizenship required.
• Master's degree in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Network Security and/or Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Network/Web Security, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience supporting SOCOM GAN programs as a Principal Communications/IT Engineer or equivalent senior technical role.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience implementing Department of Defense Information Assurance (IA), Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), and secure network architectures.
• Advanced experience designing, implementing, and sustaining SATCOM/baseband, ground gateway, terrestrial IP/MPLS/SDN networks, routing architectures, and enterprise communications infrastructure.
• Active professional-level networking certification such as CCNP Enterprise, JNCIP, SD-WAN certification, or equivalent technical certification.
• Experience implementing and optimizing routing protocols, QoS, MPLS, SD-WAN, network monitoring, telemetry, automation, and enterprise transport technologies.
• Experience developing network architecture documentation, configuration standards, test procedures, RMF artifacts, STIG documentation, and operational engineering products.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification or equivalent enterprise infrastructure certification is preferred.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to engage technical teams, customers, cybersecurity organizations, and program leadership.

This role is fully onsite at Pope AAF, NC.

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position's location, the candidate's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense's benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.