Systems Engineer (Ansible)

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated mid-to-senior level Systems Engineer with strong Ansible automation experience to support platform infrastructure on a classified Department of Defense (DoD) program. This role is part of the Athena program and focuses on building, maintaining, and optimizing infrastructure through automation within an established Infrastructure as Code (IaC) framework.

The ideal candidate brings a solid systems engineering foundation, deep Linux/Unix expertise, and hands-on experience developing and maintaining Ansible playbooks tailored to platform-specific requirements. This individual will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure scalable, secure, and efficient system operations in a classified environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks to automate system configuration, deployment, and maintenance tasks
• Support platform infrastructure operations, including system provisioning, patching, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with DevOps, cybersecurity, and engineering teams to integrate automation into existing workflows
• Ensure systems comply with DoD security standards and accreditation requirements
• Troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure and automation-related issues across environments
• Contribute to the evolution of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices and standards within the program
• Document system configurations, automation processes, and operational procedures

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in systems engineering or systems administration
• Strong proficiency with Ansible for automation and playbook development
• Extensive experience with Linux/Unix systems administration
• Solid understanding of infrastructure management and system lifecycle processes
• Familiarity with IaC methodologies and DevOps best practices
• Experience working in DoD or classified environments (strongly preferred)
• Active Top Secret clearance (required)
• Ability to work onsite full-time at one of the listed locations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with additional automation or configuration management tools (e.g., Puppet, Chef, Terraform)
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and integration with automation frameworks
• Understanding of STIGs, RMF, and other DoD compliance frameworks
• Experience supporting mission-critical or high-availability systems