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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Enterprise Network Engineer - **Company:** Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation - **Location:** Arlington, VA, United States - **Salary:** $220,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Amazon Web Services, Systems Engineering, Microsoft Azure, Border Gateway Protocol, Cyber Security, Computer Networks, Data Centers, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Interoperability, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Multi-protocol Systems, Python (Programming Language), Local Area Networks, Network Security, Network Architecture, Network Diagrams, Network Model, Network Planning and Design, Routing, Network Segmentation, Network Service, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Software Architecture, Ansible, Zero Trust Network Access, Systems Integration, Wide Area Networks, Scripting, Computer Networking Systems, System Availability, ARUBA, Juniper, Git, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Transport Protocols, Restful APIs, Open Network Automation Platform, DODAF, Cisco, Vmware - **Published:** June 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9003668/principal-enterprise-network-engineer ## About the Role You are a principal-level enterprise network engineering subject matter expert with deep experience designing, implementing, integrating, and modernizing complex enterprise networks in mission-critical environments. You bring broad technical authority across enterprise networking technologies, including Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, and related routing, switching, wireless, transport, security, and network infrastructure platforms. You have experience across both WAN and LAN environments, including internet-connected enterprise networks, classified enclaves, multi-site mission networks, and fully air-gapped environments. You understand how to design resilient, secure, interoperable network architectures that support mission operations, high availability, segmentation, performance, and long-term modernization. You are comfortable leading complex architecture and integration efforts while remaining hands-on with design, implementation, troubleshooting, documentation, and deployment. You thrive in high-assurance environments where reliability, security, interoperability, and disciplined execution are essential. You provide technical leadership across network engineering, unified communications, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and performance engineering teams., * Demonstrated senior-level experience designing, implementing, and modernizing complex enterprise networks in mission-critical or high-assurance environments. * Broad hands-on expertise across enterprise networking technologies, including routing, switching, transport, segmentation, wireless, edge, data center, and secure enclave networking. * Experience with multi-vendor network environments, including platforms such as Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, or equivalent enterprise networking technologies. * Strong practical knowledge of enterprise routing and transport protocols, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, QoS, VPN, and related network services. * Experience designing and supporting WAN, LAN, campus, data center, classified, and air-gapped network environments. * Experience standing up, operating, integrating, or modernizing networks within TS/SCI, classified, multi-enclave, or other secure mission environments. * Strong understanding of network segmentation, secure enclave integration, access control, Zero Trust-aligned architecture, and defense-in-depth network design. * Experience supporting RMF processes, ATO documentation, security controls, STIG compliance, or equivalent cybersecurity compliance activities for network infrastructure. * Ability to lead architecture discussions, evaluate design tradeoffs, develop implementation plans, and guide technical teams through complex integration efforts. * Ability to produce clear technical documentation, architecture diagrams, configuration standards, operational procedures, and executive-level technical summaries. * Ability to work fully onsite in Arlington, VA. Desired Education, Certification, Skills, Capabilities: * Professional certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, JNCIE, Aruba Certified Professional/Expert, Security+, CISSP, or equivalent technical credentials. * Experience with SD-WAN technologies, including Cisco Viptela, Juniper, Aruba, VMware/VeloCloud, or equivalent platforms. * Experience integrating WAN, LAN, wireless, unified communications, and mission communications transport in high-availability environments. * Experience with cloud or hybrid networking architectures in AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or similar government cloud environments. * Experience with network automation, scripting, and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Git, or related toolsets. * Experience with network modeling, simulation, lab validation, or digital engineering environments. * Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and related technical review processes. * Experience producing architecture artifacts aligned with DoDAF, mission engineering, model-based systems engineering, or enterprise architecture frameworks. * Experience mentoring engineers, establishing technical standards, and serving as a trusted technical advisor to program leadership and mission stakeholders. ## Description VT-ARC is seeking a Principal Enterprise Network Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority for enterprise network architecture, implementation, sustainment, and modernization supporting mission-critical programs within TS/SCI environments. This role is focused on SME-level enterprise networking across the full network lifecycle, from requirements interpretation and architecture input through detailed design, implementation, validation, documentation, and operational transition. The position is not limited to a single vendor stack or a narrow WAN/SD-WAN scope; it includes holistic network engineering across LAN, WAN, campus, data center, classified, air-gapped, multi-enclave, and mission communications environments. This is a principal-level network engineering role responsible for translating mission and architecture objectives into executable network designs, implementation plans, and operationally supportable solutions. The Principal Enterprise Network Engineer will guide network, unified communications, cybersecurity, and infrastructure teams while actively contributing to system stand-up, modernization efforts, architecture validation, and mission integration within classified enterprise environments., * Lead end-to-end enterprise network engineering activities, including architecture input, detailed design, implementation planning, integration, validation, and operational transition. * Design, implement, and modernize enterprise network infrastructures across WAN, LAN, data center, campus, classified, multi-enclave, and air-gapped environments. * Provide SME-level technical leadership across a wide range of enterprise networking technologies, including Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, and related network infrastructure platforms. * Develop and validate network designs that account for routing, switching, segmentation, transport, security, performance, resiliency, interoperability, and sustainment. * Translate enterprise architecture objectives and mission requirements into executable network designs, implementation plans, configuration standards, and deployment roadmaps. * Lead design and deployment of enterprise routing and transport technologies, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, QoS, VPN, SD-WAN, and related overlay/underlay architectures. * Develop cross-domain, multi-enclave, and secure network integration approaches for classified and high-assurance mission environments. * Collaborate with program architecture, cybersecurity, UC, systems engineering, infrastructure, and network performance teams to ensure end-to-end mission integration. * Lead proof-of-concept demonstrations, lab validation, technical pilots, integration events, and network deployment activities. * Develop technical documentation, network diagrams, configuration baselines, implementation guides, test plans, and operational transition materials. * Mentor network engineering staff, establish network engineering standards, and promote best practices across the program. ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Your Infrastructure Is Not a Playground: AI Agents for Infra Done Right](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2084-your-infrastructure-is-not-a-playground-ai-agents-for-infra-done-right) - [Computer Vision from the Edge to the Cloud done easy](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/263-computer-vision-from-the-edge-to-the-cloud-done-easy) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) ## Related Articles - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [What Makes WeAreDevelopers World Congress Different From Every Other Tech Event?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/701-what-makes-wearedevelopers-world-congress-different-from-every-other-tech-event) - [Events like RSAC Get You CISOs. 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