Principal Network and Protocol Architect
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Job Location:
San Diego, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 131300 - 237350
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
As a Principal Network and Protocol Architect you will be responsible for creating and evaluating innovative network concepts across multiple domains including Wireline RF and Free Space Optics. This role requires deep technical expertise in network protocols security and cloud technologies combined with leadership and communication skills. You will operate in a dynamic high-impact environment where state-of-the-art solutions intersect with emerging technologies such as quantum communications.
**Ability and willingness to work onsite in either San Diego California or Arlington Virginia is highly preferred.**
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop novel networking approaches and protocol concepts that integrate traditional solutions with emerging technologies.
- Design and prototype new versions of networking protocols (e.g. extending BGP to incorporate quantum sensing for link security evaluation).
- Define simulate and evaluate new networking protocols and extensions to address next-generation performance and security requirements.
- Research assess and recommend emerging network infrastructure technologies.
- Plan design and optimize network systems using both novel and existing protocols.
- Produce technical documentation mentor junior engineers and lead knowledge transfer initiatives.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Computer Science Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering or a related technical field; Minimum of 12 years of professional experience in networking; Masters degree with 610 years of relevant experience; Doctorate in a technical domain may be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in designing implementing and troubleshooting networks.
- Proficiency in simulating and assessing networking protocols and architectures.
- Comprehensive knowledge of networking protocols including TCP/IP DNS DHCP VLANs VPNs and routing protocols such as OSPF and BGP.
- In-depth understanding of network security principles architectures and best practices.
- Strong analytical problem-solving and critical thinking skills; proven ability to work independently and lead technical initiatives.
- Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience designing new networking protocols or protocol extensions not only architecting networks with existing ones.
- Experience conceptualizing defining and simulating novel approaches to networking particularly in areas like secure routing and adaptive protocols.
- Experience developing software implementations of novel or extended protocols.
- Familiarity with quantum networking and integration of quantum sensing into traditional network architectures.
- Active DoD Secret clearance.
- Ability and willingness to work onsite in either San Diego California or Arlington Virginia is highly preferred.
Key Differentiator
This role goes beyond traditional network design and implementation. The focus is on defining and validating the next generation of networking protocols leveraging advancements such as quantum communications and sensing. Candidates with backgrounds limited to applying pre-existing protocols are not the right fit this position is for innovators who can invent extend and rigorously evaluate new protocols that will shape the future of secure resilient and adaptive networking.
If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
October 2 2025For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131300.00 - $237350.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job education experience knowledge skills and abilities as well as internal equity alignment with market data applicable bargaining agreement (if any) or other law.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
Key Skills
- Kubernetes
- S3
- Google Cloud Platform
- Cassandra
- System Architecture
- Redshift
- AWS
- Cloud Architecture
- NoSQL
- UML
- Kafka
- Distributed Systems
About Company
Leidos is an innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. Our 47,000 employees collaborate to create smarter technology solutions for customers in these critical markets.
