Optical Transport Network Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab - Fort Meade, MD

Full-time - Mid Level

Fort Meade, MD

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Do you enjoy applying knowledge about the design and operation of networks to solving exciting problems in national security? Are you searching for meaningful work as a network engineer? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking an Optical Transport Network Engineer to help us solve the nation's security challenges. As a member of our group, you will be working with a small team of APL staff supporting the Government in support of critical mission challenges involving large-scale transport networks. You will work in a fast-paced environment with other technical and mission experts to apply your technical and operational knowledge to understand and articulate impacts of design choices to the mission while collaborating with other APL staff, government sponsors, and external partners to achieve mission success. Our team is committed to national security and recognizes the value of diversity of thought in the approaches we take. We strive to foster an environment that promotes professional growth and a balanced life. As an Optical Transport Network Engineer, your primary responsibilities will be to provide technical expertise and analytical support on the performance and mission use of Optical Transport Networks (OTNs). You will provide full-time support on-site at Ft. Meade and occasionally at the APL main campus in Laurel, MD. You will document technical work and recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences. You will need to quickly adapt to new directions and technical approaches based on internal team decisions, sponsor direction, and external factors. Additionally, you will keep pace with advances in global optical networking technologies and apply those to set strategic direction to modernize critical OTNs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and analytical support on the performance and mission use of Optical Transport Networks (OTNs).
• Provide full-time support on-site at Ft. Meade and occasionally at the APL main campus in Laurel, MD.
• Document technical work and recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Quickly adapt to new directions and technical approaches based on internal team decisions, sponsor direction, and external factors.
• Keep pace with advances in global optical networking technologies and apply those to set strategic direction to modernize critical OTNs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in information science and technology, computer science, computer engineering or another related technical field.
• At least ten years of relevant experience in the design and operation of transport networks.
• Knowledge of key network technologies including SONET, DWDM, Ethernet, and other Layer 2 and 3 protocols.
• Familiarity with network security concepts and ability to apply them to network design and operation.
• Well-versed in industry standards from organizations such as the IETF, MEF, or ITU.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively independently and in dynamic team environments.
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills with the ability to produce documentation that requires little to no rework.
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally 10-25%.
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree or higher in information science and technology, computer science, computer engineering or another related technical field.
• At least fifteen years of experience in the design and operation of optical transport networks.
• Demonstrated project leadership in design of architecture or recapitalization of global OTNs.
• Deep understanding of DoD network architectures, technologies, policies, and acquisition.
• Exposure to the development processes for one or more industry standards bodies.
• Vendor or industry certifications in the operation and management of varied vendor communications technologies.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program
• Unparalleled retirement contributions
• Healthy work/life balance