Senior Network Engineer

Phalanx Griffon (PG) is the Air Force's open-architecture aerial node that pushes multi-level-secure data to warfighters in seconds, not minutes. As the SME, Network Engineering, you will shape the tactical and enterprise networking underpinnings of Major Release 2 (FY 25-27)-orchestrating SATCOM, SDR, cross-domain solutions, and software-defined networking that connect airborne platforms to the Digital Infrastructure (DI) and the broader DAF BATTLE NETWORK.

Essential Job Functions:

• Architect & Design
  
  • Lead creation of the PG network reference architecture spanning Nomad hardware, Smith software builds, and Watch node-management elements.
  • Define routing schemas (BGP/OSPF/IS-IS), QoS policies, IPSec/crypto overlays, and multi-level security / cross-domain data-flow rulesets that comply with NSA and DISA STIG requirements.
  • Produce SysML/CAMEO artifacts feeding the government-owned digital thread.
• Integration & Lab Leadership
  
  • Specify and configure routers, switches, firewalls, SATCOM modems, and SDRs inside the Integration SIL; drive interface-control documentation (ICDs) for airborne PIMs.
  • Develop automated test harnesses (IXIA/TestCenter, Spirent, Ansible) to validate throughput, latency, packet-loss, and IA posture before DT/OT.
• DevSecOps & Cyber Hygiene
  
  • Embed network-security controls into the PG DevSecOps pipeline; champion zero-trust principles and continuous ATO artifacts (RMF eMASS packages, ACAS/SCAP scans).
  • Guide implementation of Software Defined Networking (SD-WAN, OpenFlow, or comparable) for dynamic airborne/ground path selection.
• Fielding & Operations
  
  • Partner with platform SPOs and flight-test organizations to translate lab configs into flight-worthy builds; draft Interim Authorizations To Test (IATT) and airworthiness network annexes.
  • Support Watch help-desk playbooks, operational runbooks, and remote monitoring dashboards (Elastic, Grafana, Prometheus).
• Leadership & Mentoring
  
  • Serve as the chief technical adviser to Government IPT leads; brief network readiness, risk, and performance metrics at program reviews.
  • Mentor mid-level engineers and ensure knowledge transfer to Government personnel.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred) and 15+ years designing, integrating, and securing DoD or IC mission-critical IP networks.

Active TS/SCI clearance.

Deep expertise in routing/switching (Layer 2/3), SATCOM backhaul, RF/mesh networking, and transport enclaves in contested or bandwidth-limited environments.

Demonstrated experience with cross-domain solutions, NSA Type-1 crypto, and multi-level security architectures.

Hands-on with network test/validation tools and scripting/automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

Desired Skills:

CCNP/CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent expert-level certification.

Prior work on CJADC2, ABMS, OMS/UCI, tactical data links (Link-16/22, TTNT), or airborne networking programs.

Familiarity with containerized networking (CNI plugins, Service Mesh) and classified DevSecOps pipelines (Platform One, Iron Bank).

Experience shepherding RMF packages through eMASS to full ATO.

Agile/Scrum or SAFe certification.