Principal Network & Systems Engineer

About Otto Aviation

OTTO is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through the innovative use of advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight tests of our technology demonstrator validate a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and allow a sizeable improvement in cabin comfort. Otto Aviation is designing world-class aircraft from first principles physics and delivering ground-breaking aircraft and economic performance.

Job Summary

Otto Aviation is seeking a Principal Network & Systems Engineer to join our fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative technology team. As a key member of the ITCS Team, the Principal Network & Systems Engineer will play a critical role in growing and supporting the company’s network and systems architecture. The ideal candidate will use sound judgment and decision-making skills to maintain the innovative technology infrastructure of the company. This position offers an excellent benefits package, numerous opportunities to foster strong internal and external relationships, and the ability to enhance Otto’s technology service offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Stay current with emerging technology trends and recommend future technology solutions to ensure high availability and performance of critical technology resources.
• Perform regular patching and upgrades on networking equipment, including switches and firewalls, while managing vendor relationships with hardware manufacturers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and other service providers.
• Assist with user onboarding, including creating accounts within O365, laptop procurement, setup, and delivery.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, and networking infrastructure issues, ensuring systems remain secure from unauthorized access and user abuse.
• Assist with Incident, Change, and Capacity Management as it relates to network and systems infrastructure, while adhering to all Otto corporate guiding principles, processes, policies, standards, and procedures.
• Work autonomously on multiple high-profile projects while ensuring timely delivery of expected outcomes and maintaining thorough documentation.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support critical infrastructure and travel to other Otto offices as required.
• Install and maintain operating systems and application software, following a regular patching and upgrade schedule, while performing daily system monitoring to verify hardware integrity, review logs, and ensure scheduled jobs (e.g., backups) are completed successfully.
• Oversee daily backup operations, ensuring all required systems and data are successfully backed up, while performing file archival and purge operations as necessary.
• Provide Tier III support for escalated technical issues, including after-hours or weekend support as required, and coordinate system recovery efforts for hardware or software failures.
• Upgrade and configure system software supporting infrastructure applications and asset management while conducting performance tuning, hardware upgrades, and resource optimization as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or equivalent training/work experience.

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant experience in network and systems administration.

Required Qualifications:

• Certifications:
• CCNA (preferred), CCNP (a plus).
• Microsoft MCSA 2012 or higher (preferred).
• Networking Expertise:
• LAN, WAN, SDWAN, MPLS, and wireless network administration experience.
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst switches, Cisco FPR firewalls (or equivalent), Meraki (MS, MR, MX Platforms), Ubiquiti Wireless Platform.
• Strong understanding of routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP).
• System Administration Expertise:
• Microsoft Windows Server & Active Directory/Azure AD administration.
• Experience with VMware infrastructure administration.
• Experience with SAN devices such as Dell PowerStore, HPE Nimble, Pure, Dell EMC, or NetApp.
• Experience with Office 365, Azure, AWS, Intune, IIS, and SQL administration (preferred).
• Experience with web servers (IIS, Tomcat, Apache, etc.).
• Familiarity with backup solutions such as Cohesity and/or Veeam Backup & Replication (preferred).
• Scripting & Automation:
• Strong scripting experience in Bash, Korn, csh, sh, PowerShell, or VBScript (preferred).

Interpersonal Skills

• Active Listening: Practice to gain insight and truly understand all project stakeholders.
• Critical Thinking: Make prompt, informed and value-based decisions for the project.
• Organization: Focus on agenda, schedules, frameworks, and methodologies, as well as communicating tasks, updates, progress, and blockers.
• Problem Solving: Assess issues from different vantage points and formulate the best solution in addressing specific challenges.
• Self-Motivation: Exude the highest level of commitment and motivation to see it through from start to finish.
• Teamwork and Team Building: Establish a collaborative culture where people with unique personalities and skills happily work together and accountable to shared goal.
• Strong Business Communication: Use the right language, tone and storytelling techniques when communicating, describing, or explaining issues over email, chat, reports, presentations and other forms and channels of communication.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand on feet and walk around for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to sit at a desk for prolonged periods of time and work on computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.

Otto Aviation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.”

**This role is on-site at our facility at Meacham Airport in Ft Worth, TX.