We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff Network Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network infrastructures. This role requires deep expertise across network engineering, cybersecurity protocols, base media development and server room / hardware infrastructure, with a strong ability to architect scalable, secure, and resilient systems.
The ideal candidate will operate at a strategic level while remaining hands-on, serving as a technical expert and key decision-maker across network, base media and infrastructure domains.
Key Responsibilities
Define, decompose, allocate and implement cyber security requirements into system architecture.
Define and enforce network security architecture, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and best practices.
Develop documentation for installations and configurations required to obtain Authorizations to Operate (ATOs).
Design and optimize secure network topologies, including segmentation, firewalls, VPNs, and zero-trust models.
Design & oversee server room infrastructure, including rack design, cabling, power, cooling, and hardware layout for high availability.
Develop Base Media solutions that enable execution of Plans of Actions and Milestones (POAMs) to mitigate cyber risks.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement threat detection, mitigation, and incident response strategies.
Evaluate and select network and hardware technologies, vendors, and solutions.
Develop network standards, documentation, and architectural roadmaps.
Ensure system scalability, reliability, and performance through proactive design and monitoring strategies.
Support troubleshooting and resolution of complex network and infrastructure issues.
Lead the architecture, design, and deployment of enterprise-grade network infrastructure (LAN, WAN, cloud, and hybrid environments).
Required qualifications:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD government clearance at the Secret level
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related IT field
8+ years of experience in platform engineering, cyber, network engineering and architecture roles
Strong expertise in Cyber best practice security concepts, models, and methods (e.g., zero trust architecture and maturity model, advanced
Hands-on experience with networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers)
Proven experience designing and managing server rooms, including physical infrastructure
Working knowledge of containers and securing the infrastructure through the cloud
Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity infrastructures and experience researching new Cybersecurity capabilities and performing trade studies
Experience working in Network Engineering/ Base Media Development for UAV C2 Systems or similar applications
Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
Industry certifications such as CCIE, CCNP, CISSP, or equivalent
Experience designing architectures for classified networks.
Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) and network automation
Familiarity with DevOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
Experience modeling complex network systems in a modeling tool such as NX or SolidWorks.
Knowledge of compliance requirements (e.g. DoD, or other regulated environments)
Skills Required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret government clearance
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related IT field
- 8+ years of experience in platform engineering, cyber, network engineering, and architecture roles
- Expertise in cybersecurity best practices and models (e.g., zero trust architecture)
- Hands-on experience with networking hardware: routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers
- Proven experience designing and managing server rooms (rack design, cabling, power, cooling, HA)
- Working knowledge of containers and securing infrastructure in the cloud
- Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity infrastructures and experience performing trade studies
- Experience in Network Engineering/Base Media Development for UAV C2 Systems or similar applications
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Industry certifications such as CCIE, CCNP, CISSP, or equivalent
- Experience designing architectures for classified networks
- Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) and network automation
- Familiarity with DevOps and Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
- Experience modeling complex network systems in tools such as NX or SolidWorks
- Knowledge of compliance requirements (e.g., DoD or other regulated environments)
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
