Principal Network Engineer

The MITRE Corporation

• $162K — $243K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of related experience; Bachelor's degree, Master's degree with 8 years, or PhD with 5 years; or equivalent experience
  • Deep expertise in network architecture and design
  • Strong background in network automation and provisioning orchestration
  • Experience with network APIs and system integrations
  • Ability to translate architecture into operational capabilities
  • Strong knowledge of routing, switching, and operational network design
  • Familiarity with WAN technologies and TCP/IP protocols

Responsibilities

  • Lead the architecture and design of complex network environments
  • Develop automated resource planning systems for the Teleport Program
  • Define reference architectures and implementation standards
  • Design network automation solutions to enhance operational efficiency
  • Create APIs for interoperability with various systems
  • Translate operational requirements into ready-to-deploy capabilities
  • Advise on vendor implementations and ensure technical alignment

Benefits

  • Active SECRET clearance required
  • 100% onsite work at DISA Headquarters, Fort Meade
  • Travel required for stakeholder cooperation and vendor engagement
  • Opportunity to oversee critical national security projects
  • Work in a mission-critical environment within the DoD SATCOM community
Full Job Description
Department Summary:

The L614 - Intelligent Network Services Department within MITRE Technology and Engineering specializes in complex network challenges vital to national well-being. This position is for the Teleport Program Office (TPO) project that is seeking a Network Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and delivery support for modernized Teleport management, control, and service orchestration capabilities. This role will develop an enterprise Teleport management and control reference/solution architecture that supports DISA Teleport and mission partner operations, including situational awareness, common operational picture, automated SATCOM service fulfillment, automated resource planning, end device provisioning, and dashboarding of Teleport resources.

This individual will serve as a hands-on technical leader responsible for translating approved architecture and operational requirements into operator-ready capabilities. The role also includes product ownership support, vendor oversight, acquisition support, and coordination across the broader DoD SATCOM community to ensure the Teleport solution integrates effectively with adjacent programs and systems.

The work location and clearance include:
  • Active SECRET clearance required
  • 100% onsite at DISA Headquarters, Fort Meade
  • Travel required in support of stakeholder coordination, vendor engagement, and integration activities


Roles & Responsibilities:
  • Lead the architecture, design, and documentation of enterprise, hybrid, and specialized network environments
  • Develop system architecture enabling automated resource planning and end device provisioning across the Teleport Program
  • Define reference architectures, standards, implementation patterns, and best practices
  • Design and implement network automation solutions to improve provisioning, configuration management, compliance, and operational efficiency
  • Design APIs and integration patterns to enable interoperability with adjacent tools, platforms, and operational systems
  • Translate approved architecture and requirements into deployable, operator-ready orchestration capabilities
  • Support acquisition-related efforts by helping define technical and programmatic objectives tied to Teleport automation goals
  • Assess and advise government stakeholders on the effectiveness of the selected vendor's implementation
  • Remain closely involved in day-to-day vendor activities to ensure technical quality and mission alignment
  • Represent the Teleport Program Office across the DoD SATCOM community and coordinate dependencies with external organizations
  • Drive initiative from concept to execution by independently defining key tasks, evaluating solutions with project sponsors, and advocating for optimal outcomes. Serve as a trusted technical advisor across multi-contractor teams, leveraging deep subject matter expertise to mentor peers, foster collaboration, and guide technical direction.


Basic Qualifications:
  • Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related experience and work experience.
  • Deep expertise in network architecture, design, and documentation
  • Strong experience with network automation
  • Experience with provisioning orchestration and service delivery automation
  • Experience designing network APIs and system integrations
  • Experience translating architecture and requirements into operational capabilities
  • Strong understanding of routing, switching, resiliency, service assurance, and operational network design
  • Experience developing reference architectures, solution designs, and technical standards
  • TCP/IP (IPv4/IPv6), OSI model, DNS, DHCP, NAT
  • WAN technologies such as SD-WAN, MPLS, and metro Ethernet/E-line
  • Routing concepts and protocols including segment routing, BGP, OSPF, and ISIS
  • Switching technologies including VLAN, VXLAN, link aggregation, access control features
  • Cloud networking, including hybrid cloud/on-premises designs
  • Virtualization concepts including network virtualization, containers, and hypervisors
  • NMS/EMS concepts and operational Management and Control (M&C) environments, including NetOps functions such as monitoring, logging, and performance management
  • Must have an active Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
  • This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with SATCOM networks and Teleport or similar ground infrastructure
  • Experience supporting common operational picture or situational awareness platforms
  • Experience with ServiceNow ITOM and CMDB management
  • Familiarity with CDS/CDES and AWS Diode technologies
  • Background in cyber security and network security engineering
  • Experience with Cisco 9300/9300X, HAIPE/TACLANE, Versa, Viasat, and iDirect
  • Familiarity with DISA, mission partner, or broader DoD SATCOM operational environments
  • Knowledge of SATCOM terrestrial infrastructure and commercial SATCOM provider offerings


The ideal candidate is a systems-minded, strategic technical leader who can define architecture, guide implementation, oversee vendor execution, and coordinate across stakeholders to deliver resilient, integrated, operator-ready Teleport capabilities in a mission-critical environment.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

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