We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to engineer, operate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure services in a high-security environment. This role is hands-on and execution-focused: you will build, harden, troubleshoot, and modernize Windows/Linux systems and supporting enterprise services while adhering to strict change control, configuration management, documentation, and availability requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Engineer, administer, and sustain Windows and/or Linux server environments (physical and virtual), ensuring reliability, performance, and security compliance.
• Install, configure, patch, and upgrade operating systems and core services; validate changes through test/lab processes prior to production deployment.
• Implement secure baselines and hardening (e.g., STIG/SRG-aligned configuration), manage local/system security settings, and support vulnerability remediation efforts.
• Provide Tier 3 support and advanced troubleshooting for systems and services (root cause analysis, corrective action plans, and problem management).
• Support virtualization and platform services (e.g., VMware or equivalent), including capacity planning, performance monitoring, and availability improvements.
• Configure and maintain core infrastructure services such as AD DS/GPO, DNS, DHCP, NTP, PKI/certificates, file services, and print services (as applicable).
• Develop and maintain automation/scripts (PowerShell, Bash, Python) for repeatable operations: provisioning, patching, monitoring checks, reporting, and maintenance tasks.
• Participate in incident response activities: triage, containment support, evidence preservation guidance, and restoration of services.
• Execute backup/restore operations validation and support disaster recovery (DR) planning, testing, and recovery documentation.
• Maintain accurate system documentation: build sheets, runbooks, SOPs, diagrams, inventories, and configuration/change records.
• Follow formal ITSM processes for incidents, requests, problems, and changes; contribute to metrics and operational reporting.
• Collaborate across cybersecurity, network, database, and application teams to deliver integrated solutions and sustain operations.

Required

•  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). 
• Active Top Secret clearance (required).
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering/administration supporting enterprise infrastructure.
• Strong expertise in Windows Server and/or Linux (RHEL or similar), including installation, configuration, patching, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Experience with enterprise identity and access concepts (Active Directory, group policy, RBAC/least privilege, privileged access practices).
• Working knowledge of virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere or equivalent) and enterprise storage/backup concepts.
• Experience implementing security hardening and supporting vulnerability management and compliance requirements in regulated environments.
• Proven ability to work within structured change/configuration management and produce high-quality technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and comfort supporting after-hours mission needs when required.

Preferred

• Experience with configuration management and automation tools (Ansible, DSC, SCCM/MECM, WSUS, Satellite, etc.).
• Familiarity with SIEM/central logging integration and operational monitoring tools (agents, syslog, Windows event forwarding).
• Experience supporting ATO/RMF environments, audits, continuous monitoring, and evidence collection.
• Certifications (preferred): Security+, Microsoft/Red Hat certifications, VMware (VCP), ITIL Foundation.