Senior Staff Network Engineer – Lead Design & Security

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff Network Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network infrastructures supporting defense‑tech systems. The role blends strategic oversight with hands‑on technical execution across network, cybersecurity, base media, and server‑room hardware domains.

Key responsibilities

• Define, decompose, and implement cybersecurity requirements into system architecture and ensure compliance with DoD standards.
• Design and enforce secure network topologies, including segmentation, firewalls, VPNs, and zero‑trust models.
• Architect, design, and deploy enterprise‑grade LAN, WAN, cloud, and hybrid network infrastructures.
• Oversee server‑room infrastructure: rack design, cabling, power, cooling, and hardware layout for high availability.
• Develop Base Media solutions to execute POA​Ms and mitigate cyber risks.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams on threat detection, mitigation, and incident response.
• Evaluate and select networking hardware, vendors, and technologies; develop standards, documentation, and roadmaps.
• Support troubleshooting of complex network and infrastructure issues.

Required profile

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret 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.
• Strong expertise in cyber best‑practice concepts such as zero‑trust architecture.
• Hands‑on experience with networking hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers) and server‑room design.
• Working knowledge of containers and securing cloud infrastructure.
• Experience with UAV C2 systems or similar classified network environments.

Required skills

• Network design and security architecture
• Firewalls, VPNs, zero‑trust models
• Routers, switches, load balancers
• Server‑room infrastructure (rack, cabling, power, cooling)
• Containers and cloud security
• Software‑defined networking (SDN) and network automation
• Infrastructure as Code tools: Terraform, Ansible
• Modeling tools: NX, SolidWorks