Principal Network Engineer (Distributed Networks)

• Designing and building distributed networks from device-level networking through overlay fabrics to integration with customer and partner networks.
• Designing mesh SD-WAN and overlay topologies that perform reliably in denied disrupted intermittent and limited (DDIL) environments.
• Designing multi-bearer link aggregation failover and path-selection mechanisms across LTE satellite and bespoke RF links.
• Establishing the zero-trust connectivity model for our systems: certificate-based device identity mutual authentication and policy enforcement at the network edge.
• Owning routing traffic engineering QoS and congestion behaviour across constrained and adversarial links.
• Building observability into networks that are by nature partly opaque including telemetry path analytics and operator-facing situational awareness.
• Acting as a key technical decision-maker balancing trade-offs across resilience performance security and operational simplicity.
• Producing high-quality network architecture documentation design artefacts and reference patterns.
• Working directly with users partners and stakeholders to make sure the network architecture meets real operational needs.

Key skills experience and behaviours

• Deep hands-on networking background: routing protocols L2/L3 networking NAT multicast and the practical realities of running them at the edge.
• Strong experience with overlay and tunnelling technologies such as WireGuard and IPsec.
• Practical experience with SD-WAN software-defined networking or programmable data planes.
• Working knowledge of mesh networking protocols and a feel for where they shine and where they break.
• Strong Linux networking: nftables/iptables namespaces tc eBPF-adjacent tooling and debugging at the packet level.
• Experience designing zero-trust network architectures including PKI certificate lifecycle and identity-aware policy.
• Strong scripting and automation and infrastructure-as-code for network configuration.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and influence engineering direction operating autonomously in complex and ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to explain complex networking concepts clearly to a range of stakeholders.

• Direct experience designing deploying and supporting networks at the far-edge in denied disrupted intermittent or lossy environments.
• Background in regulated sectors delivering complex connected systems such as defence national security telecommunications or critical infrastructure.
• Experience with multi-bearer / multi-path systems combining cellular satellite Wi-Fi and bespoke RF links.
• Familiarity with MANET routing (OLSR BATMAN OSPF-MDR) or disruption-tolerant networking approaches.
• Familiarity with RF and waveform-level constraints sufficient to design well at the IP layer above them.
• Experience with network observability platforms and telemetry pipelines for distributed networks.

• Systems thinker: You reason naturally about large-scale interconnected networks and balance short-term delivery with long-term architectural health.
• Hands On: Youre excited by building not by delegating.
• Curious & Adaptive: You continuously learn and youre comfortable working in spaces where the right answer isnt yet known.
• Pragmatic: You pick the right tool and the right level of process for the problem and you know when an elegant protocol is the wrong choice operationally.
• Problem-solver: You troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues efficiently including the ones that only show up in the field.
• Continuous improvement mindset: You proactively identify opportunities to improve networks processes and ways of working.

Working at Rowden