MQ-9 Senior Network Engineer

Sigma Defense is seeking a MQ-9 Senior Network Engineer who will support MQ-9 communications systems to include the MQ-9 aircraft control network (ACN), sensor product dissemination including full motion video, squadron operations center (SOC) ancillary systems, and relay site architectures.

The Senior Network Engineer will architect the ACN with Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite-based services through the PLEO boundary security stack architecture, assist with the continued development and management of the MQ-9 remote split operations global architectures, management practices, and provide assistance with cyber security and configuration management of the enterprise.

The Senior Network Engineer will support all MQ-9 stakeholders including ACC, ANG, AFSOC, USMC, and allied nations in the identification and troubleshooting of anomalies, provide recommendations on solutions, and support test and fielding of those solutions.  They will design, install, and provide technical assistance to stand-up new MQ-9 sites/nodes at new locations, and serve as the SME for and represent Air Force on matters relating to the MQ-9 network at conferences, develop test plans, provide network architecture designs, author supporting cyber documentation, and create configuration management of MQ-9 architectures.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled: Sigma Defense Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Requirements

• 7 years of communications engineering experience with ISR systems.
• Knowledge of Cisco routers and switches, firewalls configuration and maintenance, network monitoring tools and engineering knowledge of ISR mission systems.
• Experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting High Assurance IP Encryptor (HAIPE) devices (e.g. KG-175 TACLANE.
• Experience with network diagnostic, monitoring and analysis tools (e.g. SolarWinds network tools).
• The work location for this position is remote, however, the hired candidate must be within one hour from a military base with MQ-9 operations.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Mandatory Certifications:

• CCNP or equivalent experience.

Candidate Differentiators:

• Experience supporting a remote piloted aircraft (RPA) command and control network, preferably MQ-9 (3-5 years).

• Familiarity with a variety of the field concepts, practices, and procedures supporting RPA operations and sensor product dissemination particularly full motion video.

• Detailed knowledge of current MQ-9 ACN architecture, the network operations and controls, system hardware, and network management requirements.

• Detailed knowledge of current MQ-9 SOC, ancillary systems, network operations supporting the SOC and controls, system hardware, and network management requirements.

• Understanding of ACAS scanning; running and reviewing DISA STIGs; and Pen Testing.

• Knowledge of Air Force and DISA network technology; planning documents, and application of these documents to the system infrastructure; deployment and mobility requirements; management of program projects and logistics support actions; and management of program or project implementation actions.

Personnel Clearance Level:

• Candidate must possess an active, DoD-issued Top Secret security clearance. A TS/SCI security clearance is required for this position.
• A clearance will be sponsored for the right candidate.

Essential Job Duties (not all-inclusive):

• Exceptional background in network administration and architectures with access control models and network security.

• Design, deploy, and maintain functional networks (LAN, WLAN, WAN).

• Design, install, configure, and maintain the integration of PLEO boundary security stack consisting of encryption devices, routers, firewalls, and cyber sensors integrating the ACN with PLEO satellite-based services (e.g. Starshield).

• In-depth understanding of routing protocols (e.g. BGP, OSPF).

• In-depth understanding of multicast.

• Configure, install, and maintain routers switches, firewalls, servers and other network devices.

• Support, maintain, and troubleshoot Juniper Circuit-to-Packet (CTP) devices and repoint their bundles. Juniper CTPs are menu driven devices that bridge legacy serial data applications with IP architectures.

• Monitor network performance and integrity.

• Resolve issues tiers of support have escalated by troubleshooting the infrastructure.

• Automate tasks and monitor their effectiveness.
• Create, oversee and test security measures (e.g. access authentication and disaster recovery).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintain complete technical documentation.
• Solid understanding of network operating systems (Cisco IOS).
• Suggest improvements to network performance, capacity and scalability.
• Mentor team members on technical issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Travel 25 to 40% to CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000 annually.

Benefits

• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Medical Insurance to Include HSA, FSA, and DFSA Plans
• Life and AD&D coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Matching Contributions
• 160 Hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) with Carry-Over up to 240 hours
• 12 (Floating) Holidays
• Educational Assistance
• Highly Competitive Salary
• Flexibility