Principal Enterprise Network Engineer
Arlington, TX - USA
Job Summary
About Us:
VT-ARC a technical services and applied research company has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values: Teamwork Integrity Excellence and Service. Integral to our success is our staffs enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employees contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT-ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards. Moreover we promote a sense of community larger than VT-ARC alone where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country.
We are proud to be the recipient of the Best Workplace in Defense Award by Emergent Magazine an honor that recognizes companies with positive cultures that not only impact their people but also make a meaningful difference in the community.
About You:
You are a principal-level enterprise network engineering subject matter expert with deep experience designing implementing integrating and modernizing complex enterprise networks in mission-critical environments. You bring broad technical authority across enterprise networking technologies including Cisco Juniper Aruba and related routing switching wireless transport security and network infrastructure platforms.
You have experience across both WAN and LAN environments including internet-connected enterprise networks classified enclaves multi-site mission networks and fully air-gapped environments. You understand how to design resilient secure interoperable network architectures that support mission operations high availability segmentation performance and long-term modernization.
You are comfortable leading complex architecture and integration efforts while remaining hands-on with design implementation troubleshooting documentation and deployment. You thrive in high-assurance environments where reliability security interoperability and disciplined execution are essential. You provide technical leadership across network engineering unified communications cybersecurity infrastructure and performance engineering teams.
Position Overview:
VT-ARC is seeking a Principal Enterprise Network Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority for enterprise network architecture implementation sustainment and modernization supporting mission-critical programs within TS/SCI environments.
This role is focused on SME-level enterprise networking across the full network lifecycle from requirements interpretation and architecture input through detailed design implementation validation documentation and operational transition. The position is not limited to a single vendor stack or a narrow WAN/SD-WAN scope; it includes holistic network engineering across LAN WAN campus data center classified air-gapped multi-enclave and mission communications environments.
This is a principal-level network engineering role responsible for translating mission and architecture objectives into executable network designs implementation plans and operationally supportable solutions. The Principal Enterprise Network Engineer will guide network unified communications cybersecurity and infrastructure teams while actively contributing to system stand-up modernization efforts architecture validation and mission integration within classified enterprise environments.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end enterprise network engineering activities including architecture input detailed design implementation planning integration validation and operational transition.
- Design implement and modernize enterprise network infrastructures across WAN LAN data center campus classified multi-enclave and air-gapped environments.
- Provide SME-level technical leadership across a wide range of enterprise networking technologies including Cisco Juniper Aruba and related network infrastructure platforms.
- Develop and validate network designs that account for routing switching segmentation transport security performance resiliency interoperability and sustainment.
- Translate enterprise architecture objectives and mission requirements into executable network designs implementation plans configuration standards and deployment roadmaps.
- Lead design and deployment of enterprise routing and transport technologies including BGP OSPF MPLS QoS VPN SD-WAN and related overlay/underlay architectures.
- Develop cross-domain multi-enclave and secure network integration approaches for classified and high-assurance mission environments.
- Collaborate with program architecture cybersecurity UC systems engineering infrastructure and network performance teams to ensure end-to-end mission integration.
- Lead proof-of-concept demonstrations lab validation technical pilots integration events and network deployment activities.
- Develop technical documentation network diagrams configuration baselines implementation guides test plans and operational transition materials.
- Mentor network engineering staff establish network engineering standards and promote best practices across the program.
Required Education Certification Skills Capabilities:
- Demonstrated senior-level experience designing implementing and modernizing complex enterprise networks in mission-critical or high-assurance environments.
- Broad hands-on expertise across enterprise networking technologies including routing switching transport segmentation wireless edge data center and secure enclave networking.
- Experience with multi-vendor network environments including platforms such as Cisco Juniper Aruba or equivalent enterprise networking technologies.
- Strong practical knowledge of enterprise routing and transport protocols including BGP OSPF MPLS QoS VPN and related network services.
- Experience designing and supporting WAN LAN campus data center classified and air-gapped network environments.
- Experience standing up operating integrating or modernizing networks within TS/SCI classified multi-enclave or other secure mission environments.
- Strong understanding of network segmentation secure enclave integration access control Zero Trust-aligned architecture and defense-in-depth network design.
- Experience supporting RMF processes ATO documentation security controls STIG compliance or equivalent cybersecurity compliance activities for network infrastructure.
- Ability to lead architecture discussions evaluate design tradeoffs develop implementation plans and guide technical teams through complex integration efforts.
- Ability to produce clear technical documentation architecture diagrams configuration standards operational procedures and executive-level technical summaries.
- Ability to work fully onsite in Arlington VA.
Desired Education Certification Skills Capabilities:
- Professional certifications such as CCNP CCIE JNCIP JNCIE Aruba Certified Professional/Expert Security CISSP or equivalent technical credentials.
- Experience with SD-WAN technologies including Cisco Viptela Juniper Aruba VMware/VeloCloud or equivalent platforms.
- Experience integrating WAN LAN wireless unified communications and mission communications transport in high-availability environments.
- Experience with cloud or hybrid networking architectures in AWS GovCloud Azure Government or similar government cloud environments.
- Experience with network automation scripting and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Python Ansible REST APIs Git or related toolsets.
- Experience with network modeling simulation lab validation or digital engineering environments.
- Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle reviews including SRR PDR CDR TRR and related technical review processes.
- Experience producing architecture artifacts aligned with DoDAF mission engineering model-based systems engineering or enterprise architecture frameworks.
- Experience mentoring engineers establishing technical standards and serving as a trusted technical advisor to program leadership and mission stakeholders.
Primary Work Location: Work is expected to be fully onsite in Arlington VA.
Special Work Conditions: Travel may be required up to 10%.
Security:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required
Competitive Salary: VT-ARC offers competitive pay based on a number of factors including but not limited to conducting comparable salary market research education years of experience and benefits.
Salary Range: $220000$250000 annually
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation: VT-ARC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech or VT). Our mission is to provide superior analytic and technology solutions across multiple domains by leveraging Virginia Techs multidisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem. With unique access to the broad and rich research enterprise found at Virginia Tech VT-ARC forms multi-disciplinary teams to apply innovative solutions to the real-world problems that strain our social political industrial and economic foundations.
To learn more about VT-ARCs Benefits Perks Culture & more visit our Careers page: Tech Applied Research Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability veteran status or any other status protected by law. As a federal contractor we are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities under Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process please contact Human Resources at
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities please visit .
Required Experience:
Staff IC
About Company
A leader in innovative solutions that safeguard the nation and advance global welfare.