Senior Network Architect/Technical Leader

Job Description

Readiness Delivered. At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees, and families. Recognized as thought leaders in our industry, we are motivated by creating and delivering innovative solutions to our nation and global customers. Kratos is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Network Architect and Technical Leader with 15+ years of progressive experience designing, implementing, modernizing, and supporting large-scale, remote manned/unmanned, mission-critical network environments. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise across WAN/LAN routing and switching, ESXi VMs and virtualization, and network security, with a proven ability to lead teams, modernize customer environments, and support complex government customers.

This role involves high-impact, hands-on troubleshooting and maintenance, maintaining technical documentation, modernization initiatives, proactive consulting, and mentoring of engineering staff. Experience supporting DoW and/or Intelligence Community customers is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Program and Customer Leadership to ensure all Network Engineering requirements are understood and defined, align solutions, and strengthen long-term technical relationships.
• Architect, design, implement, and support scalable and secure WAN/LAN network solutions for DoW environments.
• Lead comprehensive network modernization efforts, including device refreshes, routing changes, software deployments, and security hardening initiatives.
• Prototype network designs and issues using modeling environments (e.g., Cisco Modeling Labs) to validate and optimize architectures.
• Serve as a technical lead guiding teams of engineers through design, configuration, and stabilization of complex customer networks.
• Provide proactive networking support, issue troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and performance optimization.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers with respect to networking, contribute to knowledge transfer, and support team development.
• Ensure secure system networking configuration, risk mitigation, and compliance with DoW and enterprise security standards.
• Participate in CDRL and technical artifact generation based on internal and customer prescribed schedules
• Attend and support highly technical engineering team meetings
• Develop and deliver effective customer presentations, demonstrating an ability to communicate comfortably at a system level
• Travel as necessary to attend customer meetings and establish/maintain remote system locations

Experience And Skills

• U.S. citizenship with active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
• BS in STEM degree field (CS, EE, etc) -with CCIE or CCNP or equivalent
• Cisco CCNP (Required) or CCIE (Preferred) certification
• DoDM 8140.03 Certification (Security +, CASP+, CEH, CISM, CISSP, or equivalent)
• Supporting programs through SRR, PDR, CDR, or equivalent design reviews
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in network architecture, engineering, and technical leadership
• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise or Department of War networks, ideally including the U.S. Air Force.
• Hands-on experience with network security technologies including ASA firewalls, hardening, and access control systems.
• Expertise with routing and switching technologies including OSPF, BGP, , multicast protocols, LAN switching, and advanced WAN solutions (DMVPN, SD-WAN, SD-Routing).
• Data center experience across, SAN, storage networking, High Availability (HA), power distribution/UPS solutions, and virtualization (VMware, Linux).
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams through complex network deployments and upgrades.
• Strong troubleshooting capabilities and ability to simulate, replicate, and resolve complex issues.
• Ability to articulate technical concepts orally and in written forms for internal team, external customer, and users

Preferred Skills And Experience

• 15+ years of experience in network architecture, engineering, and technical leadership
• Experience with network modeling and automation principles (e.g. CML)
• Experience supporting high availability and multi-site environments
• Other advanced certifications and specialization tracks beyond CCIE
• Experience working alongside or in a network architect role
• Experience with cloud networking platforms and integrations

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Salary Range: $170,000-$185,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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