Senior Network Engineer

• Enterprise / Traditional Networking Design, implement, configure, and support enterprise network infrastructures, including routers, switches, firewalls, and security appliances.
• Install, configure, and maintain Cisco routing and switching platforms (e.g., Cisco 7600, 6500, and 3750 series or equivalent).
• Develop and translate network security requirements and policies into detailed device configurations.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve network performance, connectivity, and security issues.
• Manage and support Cisco ASA firewalls, VPN technologies, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network management tools.
• Design and implement enterprise-level / ISP-grade backbone networks to support mission-critical operations.
• Understand and work with Cisco ACI concepts and operations, including fabric concepts and integration with existing network architectures.
• Understand basic physical connectivity, including fiber and Ethernet standards, optics, cabling, and patching.
• Linux Networking & Systems Design, configure, and troubleshoot Linux-based networking (e.g., routing, bridging, VLANs, iptables/nftables, routing daemons, VPNs, firewalls) in production environments.
• Configure and maintain Linux systems used as network infrastructure components (e.g., virtual routers, VPN concentrators, security gateways, monitoring platforms).
• Utilize tools and technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, and related automation/orchestration frameworks to deploy and manage networked Linux systems.
• Work effectively at the intersection of traditional Cisco-style networking and Linux system administration, with a particular focus on deep Linux networking rather than general-purpose system administration alone.
• Systems Engineering Design end-to-end systems that integrate Linux hosts, network equipment, and security components to meet defined operational and security requirements.
• Develop high-quality technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, network/system design documents, and implementation plans.
• Translate mission and operational requirements into practical, implementable network and system architectures.
• Contribute to system integration, test, and validation activities for complex networked solutions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead and guide small technical teams in resolving complex network and infrastructure problems.
• Provide technical direction for the operation, configuration, optimization, and maintenance of network devices and Linux-based systems.
• Ensure network and system environments meet security, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Support cellular/networked communications technologies as required by the mission.
• Learn and adapt quickly to new systems and technologies under pressure, with minimal supervision.
• Support occasional travel as required.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in network engineering, including routing, switching, and network security in enterprise or mission-critical environments.
• Significant hands-on experience with Cisco networking and security technologies (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).
• Demonstrated, practical experience with Linux networking and Linux systems in an operational or production environment (beyond basic Linux system administration).
• Experience with tools/technologies such as KVM, Ansible, Bash, Python, VPN, and firewall configuration.
• Proven ability to design and document networked systems and architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and resolve complex network and infrastructure issues.
• Self-starter capable of operating independently in small teams with limited ramp-up time or mentoring resources.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph., * Prior CNO/TAO or similar offensive/defensive cyber operations experience.
• Experience with Cisco ACI design/operations.
• Experience with cellular and other non-traditional communications technologies.
• Experience supporting mission-critical, high-availability environments with strict security requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support operations, testing, or deployments.

Salary Range: $150,000 - $265,000 The AV company pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

• medical
• dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• a 9/80 work schedule
• a paid holiday shutdown

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed., AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you’re ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.