Sr. IT Network Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

SpaceX
Washington, DC
On-site

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with classified network engineering experience who lead design and deployment of secure, high-performance systems. Must have active Top Secret clearance and be based in Washington, DC, with a focus on enterprise and classified IT environments.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 7+ years of network engineering experience and a background in classified systems
    — “Bachelor's degree ... 7+ years of professional network engineering experience”
  • Individuals who have led network integration and troubleshooting in classified environments
    — “Lead the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of classified networks”
  • Professionals with hands-on experience deploying enterprise-grade Cisco and Arista switches
    — “Cisco Catalyst and Arista data center class switches”

Things to consider

  • Active Top Secret clearance with Polygraph is mandatory, not negotiable
    — “Active Top Secret or TS/SCI with Polygraph”
  • This role requires on-call availability and may involve irregular hours
    — “Must be available for on-call rotations”
  • Travel requirements include both domestic and international trips, up to 10% of time
    — “Must be willing to do some travel domestically and globally (<10%)”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with classified network deployments and security improvements
    — “classified IT networks which support critical national security missions”
  • Demonstrate leadership in network design and optimization projects
    — “own the network design and be responsible for proposing and implementing continual improvements”
  • Showcase automation and scripting skills, especially with Python
    — “Experience with Python scripting”
  • Emphasize hands-on hardware deployment and firmware management capabilities
    — “Assist with system configuration updates and firmware management”
  • Include experience with network access control using 802.1X in your resume
    — “Support the deployment of network access control (NAC) using 802.1X”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • classified network design and implementation
  • network integration and troubleshooting
  • network performance and reliability improvement
  • network optimization deployments
  • network access control deployment
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or other STEM discipline and 7+ years of professional network engineering experience1+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and web-scale networks

Skills & requirements

Required

Network Design And ImplementationNetwork TroubleshootingNetwork Performance And Reliability ImprovementNetwork OptimizationNetwork Access Control DeploymentNetwork AutomationNetwork Policy And Standard EnforcementNetwork Documentation

Preferred

Linux/windows System AdministrationPython ScriptingCisco, Juniper, Arista Or Other Industry Certification

Stack & domain

Classified NetworksNetwork DesignNetwork IntegrationNetwork TroubleshootingNetwork PerformanceNetwork ReliabilityNetwork SecurityNetwork OptimizationSystem Configuration UpdatesFirmware ManagementCampus NetworksData Center NetworksNetwork Access Control (nac)Network AutomationNetwork PoliciesNetwork StandardsNetwork DocumentationCisco CatalystArista Data Center Class SwitchesNetwork Access Control (nac) Using 802.1xDNSDHCPSNMPIP HelpersARPCDPLLDPBGP RoutingSwitch Port Security FeaturesNetwork Monitoring ToolsLinux/windows System AdministrationPython ScriptingCiscoJuniperAristaIndustry CertificationIndependent WorkTeamworkInitiativeEffective CommunicationITNetwork EngineeringNational Security

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. IT NETWORK ENGINEER – TOP SECRET CLEARANCE 

SpaceX is looking for an experienced senior network engineer to drive the build, deployment, and operation of classified IT networks which support critical national security missions. This position will own the network design and be responsible for proposing and implementing continual improvements to add more capabilities and customers. This position is also responsible for monitoring and improving network security, improving network performance and reliability, and optimizing network deployments. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Lead the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of classified networks

Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts

Improve network performance and reliability using system performance metrics, including capacity planning, failure detection, and remediation

Support capacity augmentation and network optimization deployments

Assist with system configuration updates and firmware management

Configure, install, and support campus and data center networks

Support the deployment of network access control (NAC) using 802.1X

Build automation for network devices, operational processes, and deployment tools

Develop and enforce network policies and standards

Create and maintain comprehensive network documentation 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or other STEM discipline and 7+ years of professional network engineering experience; OR 10+ years of professional network engineering experience in lieu of a degree

1+ year of networking experience deploying enterprise network solutions and/or cloud and web-scale networks

Layer-1 experience (e.g., transport, DWDM, optical fiber, circuit troubleshooting, activations, etc.) 

Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Hands-on experience with the deployment of networking hardware (routers, modems, switches, firewalls, etc..)

Expert understanding of the OSI model and network standards

Experience with physical troubleshooting of fiber and circuits

Hands on experience with the following: 

Cisco Catalyst and Arista data center class switches

Network Access Control (NAC) using 802.1X

DNS, DHCP, SNMP, IP helpers, ARP, CDP, LLDP

BGP routing

Switch port security features

Network monitoring tools

Network documentation 

Linux/Windows system administration

Experience with Python scripting

Cisco, Juniper, Arista or other industry certification

Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Active Top Secret or TS/SCI with Polygraph. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

Must be willing to do some travel domestically and globally (<10%) in the future as needed

Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Must be available for on-call rotations 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 3: $155,000.00 - $215,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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