Deputy Chief Engineer

Job#: 3008630

Job Description:

Apex Systems is seeking a Deputy Chief Engineer to work onsite in Washington, D.C.

Summary:

We are seeking a Deputy Chief Engineer to provide hands-on technical leadership and oversight in support of a large-scale IT operations and modernization program for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This is a key on-site position responsible for driving engineering quality, systems integration, and the technical execution of services spanning infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, application platforms, and enterprise architecture.

This role is ideal for a senior-level engineer or architect who thrives in technically complex environments, can lead multidisciplinary teams, and understands how to balance innovation, stability, and compliance in a mission-critical federal setting.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior technical authority across the program, providing direction and oversight for systems design, integration, and implementation activities.
• Ensure engineering approaches are aligned with the customer's enterprise architecture, security posture, and operational requirements.
• Lead technical planning and execution for modernization initiatives, including cloud adoption, DevSecOps integration, automation, and zero-trust architecture implementation.
• Collaborate with government engineers to define technical strategy, conduct architecture reviews, and support decision-making for new capabilities.
• Drive consistency and best practices across domains including networking, cloud, application development, cybersecurity, and endpoint services.
• Coordinate with service leads and SMEs to ensure end-to-end solution integrity and technical coherence across services.
• Support the design and validation of new systems, tools, and platforms to be transitioned into operations.
• Lead or support system engineering life cycle (SELC) activities, including requirements development, design, testing, and deployment planning.
• Ensure timely delivery of technical deliverables, documentation, and engineering artifacts.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to technical standards, security controls, and compliance requirements (e.g., NIST, FISMA).
• Identify and manage technical risks, dependencies, and impacts across engineering efforts.
• Support root cause analysis of complex technical issues and provide resolution strategies.
• Contribute to configuration management, change control, and versioning processes for critical systems.
• Oversee the preparation and quality of all engineering documentation, including:
  • Architecture diagrams, integration plans, and as-built documentation
  • SELC artifacts such as technical specifications, test plans, and implementation guides
  • Security documents: risk assessments, waivers, POA&Ms, and interconnection agreements
  • Concepts of operations (CONOPS), use cases, SOPs, and support models
• Ensure deliverables meet established technical standards and contractual quality expectations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline required; Master's degree in a technical field.
• 7+ years of hands-on technical experience in engineering leadership roles within complex IT environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting federal or enterprise-level IT programs involving multiple technical disciplines (cloud, cyber, networking, app dev, etc.).
• Experience with IT modernization efforts including DevSecOps, infrastructure as code (IaC), automation, and cloud-native platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform).
• Deep understanding of enterprise systems engineering, integration, and technical delivery practices.
• Familiarity with government security and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST RMF, FedRAMP, FISMA).
• Excellent analytical, architectural, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and influence technical teams and collaborate across disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience delivering technical briefings and documentation to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Certifications such as AWS/Azure Architect, CISSP, ITIL, PMP, or SAFe.
• Experience with federal SELC or SDLC frameworks.
• Familiarity with ServiceNow, JIRA, Confluence, or other collaborative engineering platforms.

Additional Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• On-site presence required in Washington, D.C.
• Minimal travel required (up to 10%).

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.