Network Engineer; Subject-Matter Expert

Phalanx Griffon (PG) is the Air Force’s open‑architecture aerial node that pushes multi‑level‑secure data to warfighters in seconds, not minutes. As the SME, Network Engineering, you will shape the tactical and enterprise networking underpinnings of Major Release 2 (FY 25‑27)—orchestrating SATCOM, SDR, cross‑domain solutions, and software‑defined networking that connect airborne platforms to the Digital Infrastructure (DI) and the broader DAF BATTLE NETWORK.

Essential Job Functions:

• Architect & Design

  • Lead creation of the PG network reference architecture spanning Nomad hardware, Smith software builds, and Watch node‑management elements.

  • Define routing schemas (BGP/OSPF/IS‑IS), QoS policies, IPSec/crypto overlays, and multi‑level security / cross‑domain data‑flow rulesets that comply with NSA and DISA STIG requirements.

  • Produce SysML/CAMEO artifacts feeding the government‑owned digital thread.

• Integration & Lab Leadership

  • Specify and configure routers, switches, firewalls, SATCOM modems, and SDRs inside the Integration SIL; drive interface‑control documentation (ICDs) for airborne PIMs.

  • Develop automated test harnesses (IXIA/TestCenter, Spirent, Ansible) to validate throughput, latency, packet‑loss, and IA posture before DT/OT.

• DevSecOps & Cyber Hygiene

  • Embed network‑security controls into the PG DevSecOps pipeline; champion zero‑trust principles and continuous ATO artifacts (RMF eMASS packages, ACAS/SCAP scans).

  • Guide implementation of Software Defined Networking (SD‑WAN, OpenFlow, or comparable) for dynamic airborne/ground path selection.

• Fielding & Operations

  • Partner with platform SPOs and flight‑test organizations to translate lab configs into flight‑worthy builds; draft Interim Authorizations To Test (IATT) and airworthiness network annexes.

  • Support Watch help‑desk playbooks, operational runbooks, and remote monitoring dashboards (Elastic, Grafana, Prometheus).

• Leadership & Mentoring

  • Serve as the chief technical adviser to Government IPT leads; brief network readiness, risk, and performance metrics at program reviews.

  • Mentor mid‑level engineers and ensure knowledge transfer to Government personnel.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred) and 20+ years designing, integrating, and securing DoD or IC mission‑critical IP networks.

Active TS/SCI clearance.

Deep expertise in routing/switching (Layer 2/3), SATCOM backhaul, RF/mesh networking, and transport enclaves in contested or bandwidth‑limited environments.

Demonstrated experience with cross‑domain solutions, NSA Type‑1 crypto, and multi‑level security architectures.

Hands‑on with network test/validation tools and scripting/automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

Desired Skills:

CCNP/CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent expert‑level certification.

Prior work on CJADC2, ABMS, OMS/UCI, tactical data links (Link‑16/22, TTNT), or airborne networking programs.

Familiarity with containerized networking (CNI plugins, Service Mesh) and classified DevSecOps pipelines (Platform One, Iron Bank).

Experience shepherding RMF packages through eMASS to full ATO.

Agile/Scrum or SAFe certification.