Senior Network Engineer - Global Backbone
Northwood Space
IT
Washington, DC, USA
USD 120k-160k / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 30, 2026
Location
Washington D.C., Torrance, CA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Engineering
Compensation
- Estimated Base Salary $120K – $160K
Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise. In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long-term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses. Benefits include equity, comprehensive health care, flexible vacation, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.
About Northwood:
Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company focused on connecting space and Earth. The world runs on space. Space will run on Northwood. Our global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail.
Role:
We're building the internet for space. Help us connect it.
Northwood is deploying a global network of phased array ground stations for mission-critical government and commercial space communications. We need a Senior Network Engineer - Global Backbone to design and build the core network infrastructure that connects our ground stations worldwide and handles terabytes of satellite communications data.
Responsibilities:
Design global network backbone architecture - Build high-performance WAN infrastructure connecting phased array ground stations across continents. Design resilient network topologies that ensure 99.9%+ uptime for mission-critical space communications.
Implement advanced routing protocols - Deploy and manage BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS across global network infrastructure. Establish peering relationships with service providers and internet exchanges for optimal routing and redundancy.
Deploy optical transport systems - Install and configure DWDM, optical switches, and fiber infrastructure for high-capacity data transport between ground stations. Manage Layer-1 circuit provisioning and troubleshooting.
Coordinate global circuit deployments - Work with service providers worldwide to provision circuits, cross-connects, and data center deployments. Manage circuit activations and coordinate with international carriers.
Build service provider relationships - Negotiate contracts and technical requirements with carriers, internet exchanges, and data center providers. Establish redundant connectivity paths for critical ground station sites.
Optimize network performance and capacity - Monitor network utilization and plan capacity upgrades for growing satellite communications traffic. Implement QoS policies and traffic engineering for mission-critical data flows.
Lead international network deployments - Coordinate network infrastructure deployment for new ground station locations worldwide. Work with local providers and regulatory requirements for international connectivity.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline AND 5+ years of enterprise networking experience; OR 7+ years of networking experience
Hands-on experience with Layer-1 technologies including fiber optics, DWDM, optical transport, and circuit troubleshooting
Deep understanding of BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and internet routing architectures with hands-on implementation experience
Experience with service provider networks, MPLS, and carrier-grade networking solutions
Proficiency with networking vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista for backbone infrastructure
Experience leading complex network infrastructure projects and vendor relationships
Ability to work independently across multiple time zones for global deployments
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in technical or engineering discipline
Industry certifications (CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent backbone networking certifications)
Experience with NetBox or similar network documentation and IP address management systems
Background in telecommunications, satellite communications, or mission-critical backbone networks
International networking experience with cross-border circuit deployments
Experience with network automation and infrastructure as code for backbone systems
Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance
Compensation Range: $120K - $160K