IT Network Engineer, Mission Systems
On-siteCape Canaveral, Florida, United States
Job Summary
Design and implement highly available networks for launch and production operations, balancing routing and redundancy technologies across mission-critical environments. Maintain mission data center and site networks while evaluating, procuring, and deploying hardware including switches, firewalls, and SDWAN appliances. Troubleshoot network issues, publish root cause analysis documentation, and host retrospective data reviews to drive operational improvements. Contribute to network automation tooling by implementing configuration analysis and scalability into deployment frameworks using GitOps and Infrastructure as Code. Provide direct networking support during launch campaigns and maintain a 24x7 on-call rotation for real-time operations, including weekends and evenings. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify systemic failure modes and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards like ITAR and NIST. Work in high-flux environments requiring physical dexterity, extended hours, and potential travel up to 20% to support global launch sites.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or other STEM discipline
- 3+ years of professional network engineering experience
- 5+ years of professional network engineering experience
- Ability to pass DoD background check for launch site access
- Ability to work in tight quarters
- Physical dexterity is necessary to perform job functions
- Availability for extended hours and/or weekends
- Flexibility is required
- Ability to provide 24x7 on-call support in emergency situations
- Ability to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation
- Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide)
- Potential time at sea supporting marine systems
- Ability to lift 30 lbs
- Ability to work at heights
- Ability to drive (active valid driver's license)
- U.S. citizen or national
- U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder)
- Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157
- Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158
- Eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Desired Qualifications
- Extensive hands-on experience designing, deploying, supporting, and troubleshooting Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks in latency sensitive and/or industrial environments
- Functional experience with multiple network vendors either in production or lab environments
- Experience with GitOps and Infrastructure as Code frameworks, both as user and contributor
- Strong understanding of the OSI model and network standards
- Hands-on experience with Cisco, Arista, and Juniper data center class switches
- Experience with Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) and fiber optics infrastructure
- Extensive knowledge of common enterprise and media protocols
- Experience with switch port security features, network segmentation, QoS, multicast, and redundancy protocols
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools and layer 1 testing tools
- Proficiency in scripting (Bash/PowerShell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, etc.)
- Linux and Windows system administration experience professionally or from labs
- Industry standard certifications such as CCNA or CCNP
- Experience supporting real-time systems, industrial control networks, or operational technology (OT) environments in aerospace, defense, energy, oil & gas, or similar high-reliability industries
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, and management in both formal and informal situations
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.