Systems Engineer (Top Secret & SCI Clearance)

Must Have

• Active TS/SCI Full Scope Polygraph
• Bash and/or Python scripting
• Connected and disconnected environment experience
• Fort Meade on-site SCIF experience
• FreeIPA / Active Directory authentication on Linux
• GOTS software installation and maintenance
• RHEL / CentOS / Rocky Linux administration
• SA (situational awareness) experience
• STE/STN installation and management
• Systems engineering lifecycle (concept to sustainment)

Nice To Have

• Ansible / SaltStack automation
• Data flow engineering
• DevOps / CI/CD pipelines
• Docker / Kubernetes containerization
• GitOps workflows
• Helm Charts / YAML configuration
• Shared storage (NAS / SAN / Ceph)
• VMware / KVM virtualization

JOB DESCRIPTION
Clearance Required: Top Secret/SCI with Active Full Scope Polygraph

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior System Engineer (Level 3) to support a mission-critical program within the Intelligence Community at Fort Meade, MD. This is an on-site position in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) environment requiring a TS/SCI clearance with an active Full Scope Polygraph prior to consideration - no exceptions.

The SE Level 3 is a senior technical authority who works across all phases of the system engineering lifecycle from concept development through sustainment. This role carries responsibility for producing documentation and drawing packages, leading technical integration efforts across a small mission-focused team, and serving as the primary interface with users, customers, and adjacent technical teams. The successful candidate must have strong situational awareness (SA) and GOTS product experience and must be comfortable operating in both connected and disconnected/air-gapped classified environments.

This is not a remote or hybrid position. All work is performed on-site within a SCIF at Fort Meade, MD.

Key Responsibilities
Systems Engineering Lifecycle

• Work across all phases of the system engineering lifecycle: concept development, requirements analysis, design, integration, testing, deployment, operations, and sustainment
• Produce comprehensive technical documentation and drawing packages including system architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), test plans, and as-built configurations
• Translate user and mission requirements into actionable system designs; participate in requirements reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings (TIMs)
• Serve as a senior technical authority within a small, mission-focused team; interact frequently with users, customers, and cross-functional teams across the program
• Support system trades analysis, configuration management, and technical baseline management throughout the lifecycle

Linux Systems Administration and Engineering

• Perform advanced installation, configuration, hardening, and management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Rocky Linux server environments
• Administer authentication and authorization infrastructure including FreeIPA identity management and Active Directory integration in classified environments
• Manage system performance, patch cycles, package management, and OS lifecycle operations across classified enclaves
• Configure and maintain system services, logging frameworks (rsyslog/journald/auditd), scheduled tasks, and security controls
• Provide expert-level Tier 2/3 troubleshooting across Linux-based systems; diagnose complex failure scenarios and drive resolution

STE/STN Infrastructure

• Install, configure, and manage Secure Telephone Equipment (STE) and Secure Telephone Network (STN) infrastructure in both connected and disconnected/air-gapped classified environments
• Support STE/STN provisioning, moves, adds, and changes (MACs); coordinate with communications and security personnel
• Troubleshoot STE/STN connectivity, interoperability, and integration issues in complex classified facility environments
• Maintain accurate inventory and technical documentation for all STE/STN endpoints and associated infrastructure

GOTS Software Support

• Install, configure, and maintain Government Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) software products in support of program requirements
• Perform routine maintenance, patching, and lifecycle management of GOTS applications within classified environments
• Coordinate with program stakeholders and developers on GOTS software integration, compatibility testing, and issue resolution

Scripting and Automation

• Create, read, modify, and maintain automation scripts in Bash and Python to support system administration, deployment, and operational tasks
• Automate repetitive operational workflows including system monitoring, configuration enforcement, log analysis, and health checks
• Support team adoption of automation and scripting best practices

Testing and Troubleshooting

• Design and execute system-level test plans, acceptance test procedures, and regression tests
• Lead troubleshooting efforts across complex, multi-component classified systems; document findings and remediation actions
• Participate in operational readiness reviews and system validation activities prior to deployment

Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent experience (4+ additional years of direct systems engineering experience in lieu of degree) may be considered.
Experience: 8+ years of systems engineering experience in classified DoD/IC environments, with demonstrated expertise across the full system engineering lifecycle.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph - no exceptions; must be active prior to start
• Strong, hands-on situational awareness (SA) experience in an IC program context
• Deep Linux proficiency across RHEL, CentOS, and Rocky Linux: installation, configuration, management, and security hardening
• Experience with authentication and authorization systems: FreeIPA identity management and/or Microsoft Active Directory integration on Linux
• Hands-on STE/STN installation, configuration, and management experience in both connected and disconnected classified environments
• Demonstrated GOTS software experience: installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of government-provided software products
• Proven ability to create, read, and modify automation scripts in Bash and/or Python
• Strong testing and troubleshooting skills across complex, multi-component systems
• Ability to produce technical documentation and drawing packages (system designs, ICDs, test plans, as-builts)
• Comfortable operating within a small, agile, mission-focused team that interfaces regularly with users, customers, and adjacent technical teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in a security-controlled environment

Desired Skills

• Familiarity with shared storage solutions (NAS, SAN, distributed storage such as Ceph)
• Virtualization and containerization experience: VMware vSphere, KVM, Docker, Kubernetes, or Podman
• Data flow design experience in classified or sensitive network environments
• Familiarity with IT automation and configuration management tools: Ansible, SaltStack (SALT), or equivalent
• Familiarity with Helm Charts and YAML-based configuration management for containerized workloads
• DevOps experience including CI/CD pipeline design, GitOps workflows, and infrastructure-as-code practices
• Experience with air-gapped or disconnected network environments and offline software lifecycle management
• DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification (Security+, CASP+, or equivalent)