Okay, I've searched for senior network administrator positions in Rolling Meadows, IL requiring a Secret security clearance, full-time schedules, at least 8 years of experience, and Cisco networking skills. I have found 27 positions that match your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

This Senior Principal Network Administrator role at Northrop Grumman is firmly centered on ensuring the integrity, security, and high performance of complex classified network environments. The fundamental purpose of this position is to design, implement, and maintain LAN/WAN infrastructures that support critical national security missions. Beyond routine network administration, the role demands a strategic mindset to optimize cost, forecast capacity, and proactively solve multifaceted technical challenges—often within classified or sensitive environments that allow no remote work flexibility. The requirement to handle Cisco hardware and routing protocols like EIGRP, BGP, and OSPF underlines the technical complexity, while responsibilities like network documentation, vendor coordination, and after-hours support highlight the operational discipline expected. Success in this role means not only ensuring near-zero downtime in classified network operations but also demonstrating initiative by proposing innovative solutions. The layered qualifications—from education and certifications to clearance acquisition—reflect the interplay of advanced technical mastery with the strict regulatory, security, and procedural demands intrinsic to defense contractors. The candidate must be autonomous, capable of making high-stakes decisions under ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and interfacing effectively with stakeholders to achieve seamless network solutions aligned with evolving mission needs.

Company Analysis:

Northrop Grumman stands as a leading, innovation-driven giant within the global defense and aerospace industry, specializing in high-stakes technology solutions spanning autonomous systems, cyber, space, and beyond. Its market position as a pioneering tech provider with a legacy of historic achievements fosters a culture that prizes intellectual curiosity, diversity of thought, and a shared mission focus on global security. This cultural environment creates fertile ground for employees who thrive in dynamic, high-security settings—where collaboration and respect underpin breakthrough engineering and operational excellence. The role’s placement within the Classified Solutions team signals a highly specialized, technically rigorous function embedded in a larger ecosystem where mission-critical outcomes are non-negotiable. Given the company’s emphasis on cutting-edge technology and continuous learning, employees in this position benefit from substantial developmental support, but must also navigate the dual demands of stringent security protocols and rapidly evolving technologies. Strategically, this is a growth- and innovation-focused hire aimed at reinforcing network reliability and security in a classified context, directly supporting Northrop Grumman’s overarching commitment to pioneering secure, integrated, multi-domain systems that define the future of national defense.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex network issue involving multiple routing protocols under time pressure. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to coordinate with cross-functional teams or external vendors to deliver a network deployment. What challenges did you face and how did you ensure alignment?
• Behavioral: Share an example of when you proposed a technical solution that optimized costs or improved network performance. How did you convince leadership to implement it?
• Behavioral: Can you discuss a situation where you had to manage after-hours or weekend network support? How did you maintain your effectiveness and ensure resolution?
• Technical: How do you design and implement LAN/WAN networks to meet both current operational needs and anticipated future growth in a classified environment?
• Technical: Walk me through your experience configuring and troubleshooting Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls, including your familiarity with VLANs, spanning-tree, and associated protocols.
• Technical: Explain how you would use network analysis tools like WireShark or SolarWinds to diagnose and resolve intermittent network performance issues.
• Technical: What is your approach to managing routing protocols such as EIGRP, BGP, and OSPF in a multi-site enterprise network?
• Situational: Imagine you discover a persistent network security vulnerability in a critical classified system. How would you handle this while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations?
• Situational: Suppose a key network installation timeline is at risk due to unforeseen technical difficulties. How would you manage stakeholder expectations and drive the project to successful completion?
• Situational: A customer reports intermittent connectivity issues that your initial tests do not reveal. What steps would you take to identify and resolve the root cause?
• Company Fit: Why is Northrop Grumman’s mission and work environment particularly appealing to you, especially given the security and physical presence requirements of this role?
• Company Fit: How do your professional values and approach to network security align with Northrop Grumman’s emphasis on innovation, respect, and mission-critical performance?
• Company Fit: Given Northrop Grumman’s culture of pioneering and collaboration, how do you see yourself contributing to and benefiting from this environment?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe how the Classified Solutions team collaborates with other technical groups within Northrop Grumman to achieve network security objectives?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are the biggest current challenges facing your network administration team, and how would this role help address them?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does Northrop Grumman support ongoing professional development and certification opportunities for senior network professionals in classified settings?