Principal Software Engineer - C++

Provide end-to-end delivery and operational performance of network services supporting DoD missions across IL4/5/6 environments. The SDM owns SLAs/SLOs, service governance, compliance alignment, vendor performance, and continuous improvement across data center, campus/branch, WAN/SD WAN, boundary security, and cloud connectivity. This role coordinates cross functional teams (Routing/Switching, Boundary Security, Platform, Cyber, Field Ops, Vendors) to deliver reliable, secure, and cost-effective services Establish the service vision, charter, and roadmap aligned to agency objectives and portfolio priorities Lead Service Governance (CAB/CCB/ARB participation) balancing velocity, reliability, and security; maintaining decision records and traceability Define and maintain network service policies, operating level agreements (OLAs), underpinning contracts (UCs), and escalation matrices Own Service Catalog entries for network services (definitions, owners, SLAs/SLOs, dependencies, support model, runbooks) Coordinate readiness for new/changed services (support model, staffing, monitoring/alerting, KPIs, DR/backup, ATO evidence, handover) Forecast demand and plan capacity (circuits, bandwidth, ports, licenses, spares, staff) to meet growth and seasonal mission loads Manage budgets, cost to serve, and chargeback/show back; deliver monthly variance analyses and optimization recommendations Chair/drive change quality: peer reviews, pre implementation checks, maintenance windows, freeze periods, and rollback validation Ensure deployments meet readiness gates (approvals, testing, monitoring, comms) and verify post change health and user impact Ensure high quality first response (Own P1/P2 Major Incident bridges, communications, and stakeholder updates through restoration Drive RCA with durable corrective actions; track aging and verify effectiveness Manage availability targets, error budgets, technical debt, and resiliency patterns (path diversity, ECMP, QoS policy hygiene) Maintain service continuity and DR plans; schedule and document periodic tests (RTO/RPO attainment) Align operations to DoD RMF, NIST SP 800 53/37, and DISA STIGs; steward POA&M items to closure Support ATO/cATO sustainment (control inheritance, artifacts, evidence collection) and apply Zero Trust operating principles Ensure data handling, identity/access, and audit logging meet policy; coordinate with Cyber/Blue Team on detections and after-action improvements Manage third party performance to underpin SLAs (circuits, managed services, hardware/software support); drive remediation plans where needed Validate vendor change participation, runbooks, notifications, and contribution to incidents/RCAs Provide daily/weekly/monthly performance reporting (site/service availability, SLO attainment, MTTA/MTTR, change success rate, incident induced change rate, capacity/utilization, ticket backlog aging, CSAT/NPS) Run MBRs/QBRs with stakeholders; publish dashboards and executive summaries with trend analysis and actions Lead a matrixed team of controllers/engineers/analysts; set objectives, staffing plans, training paths, and on call rotations Maintain runbooks, playbooks, KEDB, service standards, and knowledge articles; drive cross training and succession depth Other duties as assigned Requirements Education/Training:  Bachelor’s Degree in relevant engineering or science discipline required Master’s Degree preferred Must have, or obtain within 6 months of start date, current DoD 8570 or 8410 compliant certifications (i.e. Security+) ITIL v4 Foundation Certification preferred PMP or PMI certification preferred Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred AWS Advanced Networking – Specialty (or equivalent) or Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ 700) preferred Experience: 12+ years of professional experience in the required task area  5+ years of professional experience as an IT Service Delivery Manager or similar role 1+ years of professional experience working in a management or leadership role Experience, knowledge of, or exposure to delivering and/or managing IT Service Delivery within several large and complex organizations across government and commercial environments In-depth understanding of ITIL framework and best practices, including incident management, problem management, change management, and service release management Proven ability to manage budgets, vendor contracts, and executive reporting Familiarity with enterprise network architectures (data center, campus/branch, WAN/SD WAN, boundary security), observability concepts (telemetry, logs/metrics/flows), and RMF/STIG operating constraints in IL4/5/6 environments Security: Must be a US citizen Candidate must be in possession of a minimum DoD issued Secret Clearance and eligibility for TS/SCI Candidates with active current TS/SCI preferred Physical Requirements: Able to occasionally reach with hands and arms Prolonged periods of computer screen use, while sitting or standing at a desk Adhere to safety protocols when in work areas requiring use of PPE (e.g. eyewear, gloves, masks, hearing protection, steel toed shoes, etc.) Able to safely lift and carry up to 20 pounds at a time Benefits Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan (401k, IRA) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Short Term & Long Term Disability Training & Development Wellness Resources Salary: $150,000.00 - 180,000.00 Salary rates for this position are competitive and commensurate with experience and industry standards. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings options.