Systems Engineer – Platform

Description

SAIC is seeking a skilled and motivated Systems Engineer – Platform to join our MAJESTIC Joint Program Office (JPO) Team in support of an on-premises enterprise IT environment. The primary focus of this role is the design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of enterprise infrastructure and platform services to ensure the seamless performance, scalability, security, and reliability of mission-critical IT systems. 

In addition to traditional platform services, we are seeking a systems engineer with specific expertise in Kubernetes and containerization technologies to support modernization efforts. The successful candidate will leverage their knowledge of containerized architectures to improve platform scalability, streamline deployments, and enhance system resiliency. This role requires collaboration within a complex enterprise environment of virtualized systems, cloud platforms, Windows infrastructure, and networking services to deliver secure and innovative infrastructure solutions. 

All work must be performed on-site in Springfield, VA.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to the design, implementation, and sustainment strategies for enterprise infrastructure and platform services, with an emphasis on containerized architectures. 
• Evaluate and optimize system architectures to ensure scalability, reliability, performance, and security, including the incorporation of containerization and orchestration tools like Kubernetes or Docker Swarm. 
• Deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters and related container environments to support application modernization and platform services. 
• Automate workflows for infrastructure provisioning, deployment pipelines, and container orchestration using tools such as Terraform, Helm, and Ansible. 
• Translate complex stakeholder needs into actionable technical requirements and documentation. 
• Support end-to-end project activities by providing technical inputs for planning, execution, and risk identification, with a focus on emerging technologies like containerization. 
• Provide subject-matter expertise to development and integration teams on infrastructure, containerization best practices, and platform engineering. 
• Identify technical risks and recommend mitigation approaches to government leadership, particularly for Kubernetes and related containerized workloads. 
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for infrastructure components, containerized services, platform components, and engineering workflows. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by recommending modern tools, processes, and engineering practices to enhance container and platform capabilities. 
• Deliver status updates, technical reports, and briefings for senior government stakeholders. 

Qualifications

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree  

Certifications (CWF Requirements): 

• Candidates must satisfy Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (CWF) ID 451 (System Administrator – Intermediate Level) requirements, as outlined by Navy COOL. 
  This requirement can be met by possessing one or more of the following qualifying certifications: 
• CompTIA Cloud+ 
• CompTIA Security+ 
• GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP) 
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) 
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) 

OR This requirement can be met through: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, or a related field. 

Experience: 

• 2-5 years of professional experience managing and supporting enterprise-level IT environments. 

Technical Skills: 

• Expertise in enterprise platform services, including infrastructure architecture, virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V), and Windows Server management. 
• Advanced knowledge of containerization tools like Kubernetes, Docker, or OpenShift, and their related lifecycle management workflows. 
• Experience managing and optimizing Kubernetes clusters, including the use of tools such as Helm, Rancher, Istio, or Kubernetes RBAC. 
• Experience implementing and supporting high availability (HA) architectures, clustering, and disaster recovery strategies for both traditional and containerized systems. 
• Strong understanding of infrastructure automation/orchestration using Terraform, Ansible, or PowerShell. 
• Proficiency in managing Active Directory (AD) and integrating it with platform and containerized services. 
• Experience with monitoring tools for performance, diagnostics, and metrics collection (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, SolarWinds). 
• Familiarity with network-related principles, including DNS, load balancing, service discovery, and secure system interconnectivity. 
• Knowledge of security/compliance standards such as RMF, NIST 800-53, and DoD 8510.01, with experience ensuring compliance in Kubernetes/containerized environments. 

Preferred Certifications (In Addition to CWF Requirements): 

• Kubernetes-specific certifications such as: 
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) 
• Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) 
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. 
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP). 
• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+). 
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). 

Clearance Requirement: 

• Active TS/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with Poly. 

Work Environment and Notes: 

• On-Site Work: All work must be conducted on-site in Springfield, VA. 
• Program Scope: Supports on-premises enterprise IT environments, including virtualized Windows servers, MS SQL Server databases, and networking layers. 
• Subcontractor Role: Responsibilities and compensation vary based on the subcontract agreement, with a competitive salary aligned to market rates and role-specific requirements.