Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Network Engineer or Principal Network Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in our Avionics organization. This position is located in Melbourne, FL.
In this role, you will design, plan, and implement secure IP‑based network communications systems for mission‑critical aircraft, delivering detailed architecture schematics, hardware/software specifications, and capacity forecasts. The role demands solid expertise in IP subnetting, routing protocols such as BDP, OSPF, and EIGRP, hands‑on Cisco IOS‑XE configuration, and advanced technologies like GRE/IPSEC tunnels, VRF, and VRRP, together with thorough testing and validation of network designs. You will maintain technical proficiency across routers, multiplexers, firewalls, hubs, bridges, and gateways, evaluate emerging communications technologies to enhance performance and cost‑effectiveness, and produce comprehensive documentation for short‑ and long‑range network planning.
Responsibilities and Expectations:
- Practical knowledge of functional and physical architecture definition, interface control, and creation of design drawings.
- Hands-on involvement in test and verification processes, including creating verification matrices, overseeing hardware/software test, and managing test documentation.
- Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and supplier interaction.
- Solid Understanding of IP4 network design, including IP subnetting and routing protocols including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP.
- Ability to configure and troubleshoot common network devices; Required: Cisco IOS-XE.
- Solid Understanding of advanced network topics, such as GRE/IPSEC tunnels, VRF, VRRP.
- Solid understanding with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS.
This position may be filled by either at the Network Engineer OR Principal Network Engineer level based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
At a Network Engineer Level:
- Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least some of relevant military / professional / academic experience
At a Principal Network Engineer Level:
- Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military / professional / academic experience
And At Both Levels:
- Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Must have experience performing requirements analysis and developing technical requirement documentation for hardware/software subsystems.
- Must have experience supporting acquisition activities such as RFP development, supplier coordination, and reviewing supplier deliverables.
- Must have experience with data acquisition from aerospace interfaces, specifically MIL-STD-1553 or equivalent bus protocols.
Preferred Qualifications:
- DODD 8570 certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar network/security certifications.
- Familiarity with AGILE processes and SCRUM tools (JIRA, Confluence).
- Familiar with Windows and Linux configuration and troubleshooting.
- A professional certification specific to the networking industry like a CCNA/CCNP/CCIE or equivalent.
- Experience with authentication and data encryption methods, to include securing communications at either the datalink or network layer.
- Experience with embedded systems, Unix and Linux operating systems, single board computers, servers and Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions.
- Experience with non-Cisco networking environments such as Juniper or Palo Alto.
- Experience with virtualization environments.
- Working knowledge of cyber security and Risk Managed Framework (RMF), STIGs and associated elements.
- Familiar with network management applications, like Splunk, Firepower Management Center (FMC), and/or Cisco ISE.
- Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE and other military COMSEC/CRYPTO equipment and procedures.
- Experience with tactical/military radio networks, like Common Data Link (CDL) and ANW2.
- Experience performing troubleshooting with traffic capture tools, such as Wireshark and tcpdump, nmap and netcat.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant military or professional experience for the Network Engineer level
- Master’s degree in a STEM field and some relevant military, professional, or academic experience for the Network Engineer level
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military or professional experience for the Principal Network Engineer level
- Master’s degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military or professional experience for the Principal Network Engineer level
- PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military, professional, or academic experience for the Principal Network Engineer level
- Active US Government Secret or higher clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- Experience performing requirements analysis and developing technical requirements documentation for hardware and software subsystems
- Experience supporting acquisition activities, including RFP development, supplier coordination, and supplier deliverable reviews
- Experience acquiring data from aerospace interfaces, specifically MIL-STD-1553 or equivalent bus protocols
- Knowledge of IPv4 subnetting and BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP routing protocols
- Experience configuring and troubleshooting network devices using Cisco IOS-XE
- Knowledge of GRE/IPsec tunnels, VRF, VRRP, SNMP, SSH, syslog, and RADIUS/TACACS
- DODD 8570 certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or equivalent
- Familiarity with Agile processes and Scrum tools including JIRA and Confluence
- Experience configuring and troubleshooting Windows and Linux systems
- Networking certification such as CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent
- Experience with authentication and data encryption at the datalink or network layer
- Experience with embedded systems, Unix/Linux, single-board computers, servers, or NAS solutions
- Experience with Juniper or Palo Alto networking environments
- Experience with virtualization environments
- Knowledge of cybersecurity, RMF, STIGs, and related elements
- Experience with Splunk, Firepower Management Center, or Cisco ISE
- Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE and military COMSEC/CRYPTO equipment and procedures
- Experience with tactical or military radio networks such as CDL and ANW2
- Experience using Wireshark, tcpdump, nmap, or netcat for troubleshooting
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







