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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
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
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 reimbursement, SPOT Award bonuses, regular team events, opportunities for professional growth and advancement and much more!
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