Systems Engineer (Linux, Hardware, Security, DevOps/Automation) - TS/SCI w/ Poly

We are seeking a hands-on Systems Engineer with deep expertise across infrastructure, platforms, and application ecosystem spanning cloud and on-premises environments. This role requires a proven practitioner who can analyze existing (“as-is”) systems and applications, document current state architectures, design future-state solutions, and implement system enhancements or technology transformations end-to-end.

The ideal candidate is a technical leader and achiever who can seamlessly collaborate across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, information systems security, and data teams while maintaining ownership of system reliability, performance, scalability, and security.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience

· Minimum ten (10) years of related systems engineering experience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

The candidate must demonstrate hands-on experience in all the following areas:

Infrastructure & Platforms

· Enterprise networking (e.g. routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)

· Storage technologies (e.g. SAN, NAS, object storage)

· Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)

· Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)

· idAM – Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ

Cloud & On-Prem Technologies

· Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)

· Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration

· Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization

Data & Application Platforms

· Relational and NoSQL databases – relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases

· Web services, APIs, and middleware

· Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals

· Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)

Engineering & Automation

· Infrastructure as Code – Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation

· Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)

· CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)

· Security best practices and system hardening

· Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch

Architecture & Design

· Ability to create:

o As-is architecture documentation

o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs

o Implementation and migration plans

DESIRED SKILLS

· Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)

· Zero Trust and modern security architectures

· Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure

· Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments

· Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture)

· Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker)

· Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google, BigQuery)

· Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies

· Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, ITIL Foundation

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications

· Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures

· Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives

· Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades

· Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements

· Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines

· Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications

· Collaborate effectively with:

o Infrastructure & Platform Engineers

o Software Engineers

o DevOps / DevSecOps Engineers

o Data Engineers (ETL)

o Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts

· Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks

· Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex system issues

· Communication Skills:

o Ability to brief executives clearly and translate technical issues into business impact

o Ability to work across organizations (internal and IC) to implement complex solutions

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

· Recognized SME with deep, hands-on technical expertise

· Strong systems thinker with the ability to see and engineer across the full stack

· Comfortable operating at both strategic architecture and tactical implementation levels

· Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams

· Proven ability to own complex systems from design through production

Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience

· Minimum ten (10) years of related systems engineering experience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

The candidate must demonstrate hands-on experience in all the following areas:

Infrastructure & Platforms

· Enterprise networking (e.g. routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)

· Storage technologies (e.g. SAN, NAS, object storage)

· Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)

· Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)

· idAM – Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ

Cloud & On-Prem Technologies

· Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)

· Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration

· Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization

Data & Application Platforms

· Relational and NoSQL databases – relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases

· Web services, APIs, and middleware

· Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals

· Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)

Engineering & Automation

· Infrastructure as Code – Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation

· Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)

· CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)

· Security best practices and system hardening

· Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch

Architecture & Design

· Ability to create:

o As-is architecture documentation

o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs

o Implementation and migration plans

DESIRED SKILLS

· Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)

· Zero Trust and modern security architectures

· Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure

· Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments

· Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture)

· Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker)

· Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google, BigQuery)

· Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies

· Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, ITIL Foundation

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications

· Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures

· Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives

· Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades

· Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements

· Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines

· Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications

· Collaborate effectively with:

o Infrastructure & Platform Engineers

o Software Engineers

o DevOps / DevSecOps Engineers

o Data Engineers (ETL)

o Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts

· Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks

· Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex system issues

· Communication Skills:

o Ability to brief executives clearly and translate technical issues into business impact

o Ability to work across organizations (internal and IC) to implement complex solutions

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

· Recognized SME with deep, hands-on technical expertise

· Strong systems thinker with the ability to see and engineer across the full stack

· Comfortable operating at both strategic architecture and tactical implementation levels

· Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams

· Proven ability to own complex systems from design through production

Benefits:
Leading Path is an award-winning Information Technology and Management Consulting firm focused on providing solutions in process, technology, and operations to our government and Fortune 500 clients. We offer a professional and family friendly work environment with a strong work-life balance. Leading Path provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including fully paid medical/dental/vision premiums, generous PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, 6% 401K contribution, annual training and tuition reimbu