Network & Cybersecurity Architect | C-sUAS

Description

Security Clearance: Active Top Secret security clearance with eligibility and ability to obtain SCI access. 

Travel Requirement: Up to 50%

Sherpa 6 is seeking an experienced Network Architect with a strong cybersecurity background to provide direct technical support to the JIATF 401 Command and Control (C2) Capability Manager. The engineer will support the integration of tactical communications systems, mission networks, command-and-control applications connecting C-UAS sensors, data platforms, and authorized effectors.  

This position serves as the C2 Capability Manager's lead technical advisor for network architecture. The engineer will translate operational C2 requirements into a network architecture that is secure, interoperable, and supportable architectures for Department of War enterprise, tactical, classified, unclassified, and mission-partner environments. The network engineer will also ensure and lead cybersecurity compliance design, oversee the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process, and work to ensure the solution is achieves an Authorization to Operate (ATO). 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Develop network diagrams, data-flow and authorization-boundary diagrams, IP address plans, port and protocol matrices, interface-control documents, and connection requirements. 
• Design, configure, and troubleshoot routing, switching, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, SD-WAN, SATCOM, cellular, terrestrial WAN, wireless, and tactical-radio interfaces. 
• Design secure architectures connecting C-UAS sensors, track-management services, C2 applications, mission databases, tactical radios, data platforms, and authorized effectors. 
• Support C2 integration with NIPRNet, SIPRNet, tactical networks, laboratory environments, Mission Partner Environments, and other authorized Department of War networks. 
• Provide direct network engineering and cybersecurity support to the JIATF 401 C2 Capability Manager. 
• Advise the C2 Capability Manager on network architecture, cybersecurity risk, authorization strategy, interoperability, integration readiness, and technical courses of action. 
• Translate operational C2 requirements and mission threads into network, cybersecurity, interface, and data-exchange requirements. 
• Evaluate C2 systems for interoperability, cybersecurity, scalability, resiliency, latency, availability, data integrity, and operational suitability. 
• Define secure, vendor-neutral interfaces and data exchanges among sensors, C2 platforms, data fabrics, AI-enabled applications, and authorized effectors. 
• Develop and maintain C2 architecture baselines, interface standards, approved configurations, and system-of-systems documentation. 
• Lead or support the full RMF lifecycle for C2 capabilities and supporting network infrastructure in accordance with applicable Department of War and service policies. 
• Develop, update, and maintain eMASS authorization packages, including System Security Plans, control implementation statements, inventories, diagrams, risk assessments, Security Assessment Reports, POA&Ms, and continuous-monitoring evidence. 
• Determine applicable security controls and overlays based on system categorization, information types, authorization boundaries, operating environments, and mission requirements. 
• Coordinate RMF activities with the C2 Capability Manager, system owners, ISSMs, ISSOs, Security Control Assessors, Authorizing Officials, network service providers, program offices, and vendors. 
• Support Interim Authorizations to Test, Authorizations to Operate, Interim Authorizations to Operate, Authorities to Connect, reciprocity decisions, and other required approvals. 
• Develop authorization strategies that enable rapid C2 integration, testing, operational assessment, fielding, and sustainment. 
• Collect, review, organize, and maintain objective evidence required for security-control validation and authorization decisions. 
• Review vendor cybersecurity documentation and identify gaps that could delay integration, connection approval, testing, or operational deployment. 
• Implement and validate DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides and secure configuration baselines. 
• Conduct or coordinate ACAS, Nessus, SCAP, or other approved vulnerability assessments; analyze findings, coordinate remediation, document residual risk, and maintain POA&M entries. 
• Support Zero Trust implementation through identity management, least-privilege access, device compliance, segmentation, data protection, logging, monitoring, and continuous validation. 
• Troubleshoot connectivity, authentication, encryption, certificates, firewalls, routing, DNS, application, and C2 data-exchange issues using packet captures, system logs, security events, and performance data. 
• Develop and execute cybersecurity and network test plans for laboratory, field, interoperability, operational, and mission-thread testing. 
• Participate in C2 demonstrations, exercises, operational assessments, new-equipment fielding, and other JIATF 401 events. 
• Track technical risks, cybersecurity findings, integration dependencies, interface issues, and corrective actions for the C2 Capability Manager. 
• Prepare technical assessments, decision briefs, engineering recommendations, and courses of action for JIATF 401 leadership. 
• Coordinate with other JIATF 401 capability managers to ensure the C2 architecture supports sensor, identification, tracking, data, communications, and authorized defeat mission threads. 
• Maintain C2 network and cybersecurity documentation throughout capability evaluation, integration, fielding, modification, and sustainment. 

Requirements

• Eight or more years of experience in network engineering, C2 systems integration, cybersecurity engineering, information assurance. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting Department of War or classified federal C2 systems and tactical networks. 
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, segmentation, wireless networking, and enterprise network services. 
• Ability to translate operational mission requirements into technical architecture requirements and brief risks to senior leaders. 
• Experience integrating systems, applications, sensors, and other data sources into a C2 systems. 
• Working knowledge of the DoD Risk Management Framework and NIST SP 800-53 security controls. 
• Experience supporting ATO, IATT, IATO, ATC, reciprocity, or equivalent authorization activities. 
• Experience developing SSPs, POA&Ms, SARs, control implementation statements, network and data-flow diagrams, inventories, and authorization evidence. 
• Experience, or strong knowledge of, implementing DISA STIGs and conducting vulnerability analysis and remediation with ACAS, Nessus, SCAP, or comparable tools. 
• Bachelor's degree with a focus on network engineering, computer science, information technology, systems engineering, or a related field. 
• Ability to work on-site, primarily in the National Capital Region, and travel up to 50 percent. 
• Active Top Secret security clearance with eligibility and ability to obtain SCI access. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Current Top Secret/SCI clearance. 
• Experience supporting C-UAS, integrated air and missile defense, force protection, airspace management, or tactical C2 systems. 
• Experience integrating radar, RF detection, EO/IR, acoustic sensors, AI-enabled applications, tactical data links, and authorized effectors. 
• Current DoD 8140-compliant certification appropriate to the assigned work role; CISSP, CAP/CGRC, CASP+/SecurityX, Security+, CCNP, CCNA, CISM, or GIAC preferred. 
• Experience with NIPRNet, SIPRNet, tactical networks, Mission Partner Environments, and coalition networks. 
• Experience with Cross Domain Solutions, Commercial Solutions for Classified, NSA-approved encryption, PKI, certificate management, and identity services. 
• Experience with Zero Trust architectures and Department of War Zero Trust implementation requirements. 
• Experience supporting rapid acquisition, experimentation, operational assessments, prototyping, and new-equipment fielding. 
• Knowledge of TAK, FAAD C2, common operating pictures, track management, sensor fusion, or comparable tactical C2 platforms. 
• Military or government civilian experience involving tactical communications, cybersecurity, network operations, air defense, or C-UAS missions. 

About Sherpa 6:

At Sherpa 6 we love to solve problems and provide the best solutions for our customers. Our approach to a problem is to find a user-focused and design-driven solution that is simple yet functional and effective. We are a group of enthusiastic forward-thinkers who are excited to build amazing solutions with bleeding-edge technology. We hire people who are forward thinkers, passionate about what they do, love to collaborate and want to constantly learn. We enjoy what we do and we're not afraid to put the extra effort in to accomplish the mission; call us Sherpas. As a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, we know what it means to serve. We have made it our mission to be the leaders in solutions that protect and give our Warfighters the edge they need when put into harm's way.

Background Screening/Check/Investigation:

Successful completion of a background screening/check/investigation will/may be required as a condition of hire.

ADA:

Sherpa 6 will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990.

EEO/AA:

Sherpa 6 does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services and is an equal access/opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive benefits package, covering the cost of medical for you and your family; we also offer dental, vision, health and wellness benefits and a generous retirement savings plan. We believe that our employees can manage their workload and their personal life, therefore we extend a generous PTO policy. This allows our employees to balance their lives as they see fit.

Salary Range:

The proposed salary range is reflective across all Sherpa 6 locations, years of experience, and skill levels. Salary negotiations will be based on a host of factors including but not limited to your geographic location, prior experience, relevant skills, education, and certifications.