Principal Enterprise Network Engineer

About Us: VT-ARC, a technical services and applied research company, has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values: Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Service. Integral to our success is our staff's enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employee's contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT-ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients, and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards. Moreover, we promote a sense of community larger than VT-ARC alone, where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country. We are proud to be the recipient of the Best Workplace in Defense Award by Emergent Magazine, an honor that recognizes companies with positive cultures that not only impact their people but also make a meaningful difference in the community. About You: You are a principal-level enterprise network engineer with deep experience designing and integrating Cisco-based WAN and mission communications infrastructures within high-assurance, classified environments. You bring technical authority in enterprise routing architecture, SD-WAN modernization, cross-domain connectivity, and secure enclave integration. You are comfortable leading complex architecture and integration efforts while remaining hands-on with system design and deployment. You thrive in complex, mission-driven environments where reliability, security, and interoperability are paramount, and you provide technical leadership across WAN, Unified Communications, and network performance engineering teams. Position Overview: VT-ARC is seeking a Principal Enterprise Network Engineer & Architect to provide technical authority and leadership for Cisco-centric enterprise WAN and communications architectures supporting mission-critical programs within TS/SCI environments. This role combines enterprise architecture leadership with hands-on engineering expertise, ensuring routing, SD-WAN, and secure communications infrastructures are resilient, interoperable, and aligned with mission integration objectives. The Principal Engineer will guide WAN, Unified Communications, and network performance engineers while actively contributing to system stand-up, modernization efforts, and cross-domain integration within classified enterprise environments. Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.This position is contingent based upon contract awardDuties/Responsibilities: Architect and modernize enterprise Cisco-based WAN and secure communications infrastructures. Provide technical leadership for enterprise routing architecture and SD-WAN modernization initiatives. Develop cross-domain and multi-enclave network integration strategies. Lead design and deployment of enterprise routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, MPLS) and advanced QoS frameworks. Provide architectural oversight of unified communications transport integration. Ensure compliance with DoD network standards, STIGs, RMF, and interoperability requirements. Conduct risk-informed architecture assessments for enterprise communications infrastructures. Collaborate with WAN, UC, cybersecurity, and network performance engineers to ensure end-to-end communications integration. Lead proof-of-concept demonstrations, architecture validation, and enterprise integration pilots. Mentor engineering staff and establish architectural standards and best practices across the program. Required Education, Certification, Skills, Capabilities: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience in enterprise network engineering. 10+ years of progressive enterprise network engineering experience, including leadership of architecture or modernization efforts in classified environments. Demonstrated expertise designing and implementing Cisco enterprise networking solutions (ISR, ASR, Catalyst, Nexus). Advanced hands-on experience with enterprise routing and transport protocols including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and QoS. Experience architecting and deploying Cisco SD-WAN solutions (e.g., Viptela). Experience standing up, operating, and modernizing networks within TS/SCI or multi-enclave classified environments. Strong understanding of network segmentation, secure enclave integration, and Zero Trust-aligned architecture. Experience supporting RMF processes and ATO documentation for network infrastructure. Ability to develop technical architecture documentation, configuration baselines, and implementation roadmaps. Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required. CCNP Enterprise certification required; CCIE Enterprise strongly preferred. Desired Education, Certification, Skills, Capabilities: Advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline, or equivalent senior-level technical leadership experience in enterprise network environments. 15+ years of enterprise network engineering experience with demonstrated technical and systems architecture leadership. Experience integrating WAN and unified communications transport in mission-critical communications environments. Experience with cloud networking architectures in AWS GovCloud or Azure Government. Experience with infrastructure automation and scripting (e.g., Python, Ansible, REST APIs). Experience with network modeling or simulation tools. Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR). Experience producing architecture artifacts aligned with DoDAF or Mission Engineering constructs. Primary Work Location: Work is expected to be fully onsite in Arlington, VA. Special Work Conditions: Occasional CONUS travel may be required; up to 15% Possible travel to OCONUS locations; up to 10% Security: Must be a U.S. Citizen Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required Competitive Salary: VT-ARC offers competitive pay based on a number of factors including but not limited to conducting comparable salary market research, education, years of experience, and benefits. Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation: VT-ARC is a 501(c)(3), non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech or VT). Our mission is to provide superior analytic and technology solutions across multiple domains by leveraging Virginia Tech's multidisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem. With unique access to the broad and rich research enterprise found at Virginia Tech, VT-ARC forms multi-disciplinary teams to apply innovative solutions to the real-world problems that strain our social, political, industrial, and economic foundations. To learn more about VT-ARC's Benefits, Perks, Culture & more visit our Careers page: Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit

Created: 2026-03-10