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LeidosLE

Principal Network and Protocol Architect

Leidos is an American defense, aviation, information technology, and biomedical research company that provides scientific, engineering, systems integration, and technical services to government and commercial customers.

Leidos

Employee count: 5000+

Salary: 126k-228k USD

United States only

As a Principal Network and Protocol Architect, you will be responsible for creating and evaluating innovative network concepts across multiple domains, including Wireline, RF, and Free Space Optics. This role requires deep technical expertise in network protocols, security, and cloud technologies, combined with leadership and communication skills. You will operate in a dynamic, high-impact environment where state-of-the-art solutions intersect with emerging technologies such as quantum communications.

**Ability and willingness to work onsite in either San Diego California or Arlington Virginia is highly preferred.**

Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop novel networking approaches and protocol concepts that integrate traditional solutions with emerging technologies.
  • Design and prototype new versions of networking protocols (e.g., extending BGP to incorporate quantum sensing for link security evaluation).
  • Define, simulate, and evaluate new networking protocols and extensions to address next-generation performance and security requirements.
  • Research, assess, and recommend emerging network infrastructure technologies.
  • Plan, design, and optimize network systems using both novel and existing protocols.
  • Produce technical documentation, mentor junior engineers, and lead knowledge transfer initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; Minimum of 12 years of professional experience in networking; Master’s degree with 6–10 years of relevant experience; Doctorate in a technical domain may be considered.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting networks.
  • Proficiency in simulating and assessing networking protocols and architectures.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of networking protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, and routing protocols such as OSPF and BGP.
  • In-depth understanding of network security principles, architectures, and best practices.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills; proven ability to work independently and lead technical initiatives.
  • Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Direct experience designing new networking protocols or protocol extensions, not only architecting networks with existing ones.
  • Experience conceptualizing, defining, and simulating novel approaches to networking, particularly in areas like secure routing and adaptive protocols.
  • Experience developing software implementations of novel or extended protocols.
  • Familiarity with quantum networking and integration of quantum sensing into traditional network architectures.
  • Active DoD Secret clearance.
  • Ability and willingness to work onsite in either San Diego California or Arlington Virginia is highly preferred.

Key Differentiator

This role goes beyond traditional network design and implementation. The focus is on defining and validating the next generation of networking protocols, leveraging advancements such as quantum communications and sensing. Candidates with backgrounds limited to applying pre-existing protocols are not the right fit — this position is for innovators who can invent, extend, and rigorously evaluate new protocols that will shape the future of secure, resilient, and adaptive networking.

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting:

October 2, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About the job

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Posted on

Job type

Full Time

Experience level

Senior
Director

Salary

Salary: 126k-228k USD

Location requirements

Hiring timezones

United States +/- 0 hours

About Leidos

Learn more about Leidos and their company culture.

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Leidos' story begins in 1969 when Dr. J. Robert Beyster, a visionary scientist, founded Science Applications Incorporated (SAI) in La Jolla, San Diego, California. With a modest investment and a powerful idea, Dr. Beyster embarked on a journey to apply scientific expertise to solve complex problems. The company's early days were marked by a focus on research and engineering, tackling challenges for various government and commercial clients. One of its initial significant projects involved studying radiation-based cancer therapy for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which laid the groundwork for Leidos' future health business. SAI soon expanded its reach, opening an office in Albuquerque to support the Air Force Weapons Laboratory's work on electromagnetic phenomena, a precursor to the company's Physical Science Group.

Throughout the 1980s, the company, then known as Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), strategically shifted its focus towards national security and defense, solidifying its position as a key government services provider. This era set the stage for substantial growth and diversification. The 1990s saw SAIC continue to expand its offerings and international presence, securing its first major global contract with the Kuwaiti Defense Forces. A pivotal moment arrived in 2013 when SAIC underwent a significant transformation, splitting into two independent, publicly traded companies: a new company retaining the SAIC name and the original company, which was rebranded as Leidos (a name derived from 'kaleidoscope'). Leidos, as the legal successor to the original SAIC, inherited its pre-2013 stock price and corporate filing history and established its new headquarters in Reston, Virginia. This strategic move allowed Leidos to sharpen its focus on national security, health, and engineering solutions. Another major milestone occurred in August 2016 when Leidos merged with Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) business, a landmark transaction that created the defense industry's largest IT services provider and significantly expanded Leidos' capabilities and market share. Today, Leidos stands as a Fortune 500® global science and technology leader, employing approximately 47,000 people worldwide and generating billions in annual revenue, committed to making the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through innovation and technology.

Employee benefits

Learn about the employee benefits and perks provided at Leidos.

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Paid sick days

Leidos offers paid sick days.

Health Insurance

Leidos offers health insurance.

Dental Insurance

Leidos offers dental insurance.

Vision Insurance

Leidos offers vision insurance.

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Leidos

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Leidos hiring Principal Network and Protocol Architect • Remote (Work from Home) | Himalayas