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Principal Network Administrator (Top Secret))

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

San Diego, CA
Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$103,600 - $155,400

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world's biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a well-qualified Network Administrator to join its dynamic team of technical professionals at Rancho Bernardo CA with frequent travel (50%) to support the NATO AGS program at Sigonella Italy. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time, at either Rancho Bernardo CA. or Sigonella Naval Air Base, Italy.

Roles and responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:
  • Maintain efficient operation of LAN/WAN/VPNs.
  • Plan, design, configure, and install network hardware in support of customer requirements.
  • Maintain technical expertise in all areas of networks and computer hardware and software interconnection and interfacing, such as routers, firewalls, switches, gateways, etc.
  • Propose solutions to management to ensure all communications requirements based on future needs and current usage, configuring such solutions to optimize cost savings.
  • Create and ensure that appropriate network documentation exists, including operational instructions.
  • Provide regular monitoring and network analysis regarding short- and long-range planning for in-house systems.
  • Perform troubleshooting analysis of network infrastructure and associated systems.
  • Install and configure Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls.
  • Implement and troubleshoot LAN technologies such as VLANs, Trunking (port tagging), Spanning-Tree, and Port Security.
  • Provide third-level support and troubleshooting of network problems. Periodically provide after-hours and weekend support.
  • Implement and troubleshoot WAN technologies such as EIGRP, BGP, OSPF, and telco circuits (T1, T3, OC3)
  • Interface regularly with customers and manage customer installation timelines and deliverables to help facilitate successful deployments.
  • Design and implement an enterprise network, and recommend data, voice, or video network investment decisions to management and customers based on results of independent assessment of current and future network performance, stability, and network management issues.
  • Report project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.


Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience
  • Current active DoD Top Secret level security clearance (will need to move to a NATO COSMIC once hired). Clearance is required on Day 1 of employment; maintaining the required clearance(s) will be a condition of continued employment.
  • Experience installing & maintaining Cisco brand networking equipment for both LAN & WAN configurations, not limited to IOS updates, port security, VLANs, routing protocols, IP filtering, and event logging.
  • Current Security+CE, CASP, CISSP, or similar DoD 8570/ 8140 security certification, and the ability to maintain the required certification as a condition of continued employment.
  • CISCO CCNA 200-301 or Comptia Network + with the ability to achieve a CISCO CCNA 200-301 certification within 6 months.
  • Experience working on a team of IT professionals.
  • Ability to travel 50% plus.
  • Ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
  • Ability to work after hours and on weekends as needed.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience
  • Cisco CCNA 200-301 , ENCOR Core CCNP Exam 350-401, or CCIE certification.
  • Knowledge of environmental monitoring tools (e.g., HBSS, Solar Winds, Splunk).
  • Experience using network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, Opnet, etc.).
  • Experience with Certification & Accreditation process.
  • Experience giving technical presentations to technical and non-technical attendees.


Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/ .

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO . U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
group id: 10122071

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Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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Northrop Grumman Jobs


Job Category
IT - Hardware
Clearance Level
Top Secret