Automation & AI Engineer

ecsfederal; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Federal seeks an Automation Engineer to support a DoD program in a hybrid AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and on‑prem environment. You will design, build, and maintain automation for patching, compliance, and infrastructure as code, including Terraform modules and GitHub pipelines.

The role requires Python development, Terraform expertise, and DoD security familiarity. Onsite work is expected as required by the program.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen.
• Active DoD Secret or higher security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in systems engineering, DevOps, site reliability engineering, or automation engineering.
• Strong Python development experience for automation and integration (JSON, YAML, CSV, REST).
• Terraform experience with reusable modules, remote state, and AWS/Azure providers.
• Proficient in Git and GitHub workflows.
• Windows Server and Linux administration; AD and networking fundamentals.
• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Automate patch orchestration, DISA STIG hardening, configuration validation, and drift remediation for Windows and Linux.
• Develop Python tools to automate cybersecurity compliance workflows and generate reports/dashboards.
• Design, develop, and maintain Terraform modules for AWS GovCloud and Azure Government.
• Version-control existing infrastructure and apply IaC without disrupting production.
• Use JSON, YAML, CSV, REST APIs to integrate Jira, Splunk, NetBox, Infoblox, NetApp ONTAP, AD, and cloud services.
• Replace manual steps with idempotent, auditable automation for CSB review and evidence.
• Develop and maintain GitHub workflows and CI/CD pipelines with proper controls.
• Incorporate security scanning in delivery workflows; address findings.
• Work from Jira backlog in Agile/Scrum; participate in standups, sprints, and reviews.
• Coordinate with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and stakeholders to prioritize automation.

Job description

Job Description

ECS is seeking an Automation Engineer to support a Department of Defense (DoD) program.

ECS is seeking an experienced, mission-focused Automation Engineer to join an engineering team responsible for a hybrid environment spanning Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud, Microsoft Azure Government, and on-premises data center infrastructure. The Automation Engineer will design, build, and maintain the program's automation capabilities, including infrastructure as code, configuration management, compliance workflow automation, and GitHub-based delivery pipelines. This role will reduce manual effort, improve consistency, and ensure that infrastructure and compliance changes are reviewed, versioned, tested, repeatable, and auditable in accordance with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) and Risk Management Framework (RMF) guidelines.

Primary Responsibilities

• Automate patch orchestration, DISA STIG hardening, configuration validation, and drift remediation for Windows and Linux systems.


• Develop Python tools that automate operational and cybersecurity compliance workflows, including parsing and generating STIG Checklist (CKL) files; consuming ACAS and Nessus exports; tracking IAVM and POA&M status; and producing scheduled reports and dashboards.


• Design, develop, and maintain reusable Terraform modules for AWS GovCloud and Azure Government compute, networking, identity and access management, storage, and monitoring resources.


• Bring existing manually provisioned infrastructure under version control and infrastructure-as-code management without disrupting production operations.


• Use JSON, YAML, CSV, and REST application programming interfaces (API) to exchange data and integrate platforms in the environment, including Jira, Splunk, NetBox, Infoblox, NetApp ONTAP, Active Directory, and cloud-provider services.


• Replace manual runbook steps with idempotent, logged, testable, and auditable automation that supports CCB review and cybersecurity evidence requirements.


• Develop and maintain GitHub workflows and continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines that enforce branching, pull-request, code-review, testing, and release controls.


• Incorporate infrastructure-as-code, configuration, and application security scanning into automated delivery workflows and address identified findings.


• Work from the team backlog in Jira under an Agile/Scrum delivery cadence; participate in asynchronous standups, sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews, and demonstrations.


• Coordinate with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and program stakeholders to prioritize automation opportunities and ensure solutions meet mission, security, and operational requirements.


• Other duties, as assigned.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $170,000

General Description of Benefits

Required Skills

• U.S. citizen.


• Active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret or higher security clearance.


• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field of study, or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.


• 5+ years of professional experience in systems engineering, DevOps, site reliability engineering, or automation engineering roles.


• Strong hands-on Python development experience for automation and integration, including JSON, YAML, and CSV data processing; REST API integration; error handling; logging; and unit testing.


• Production experience with Terraform, including reusable modules, remote state, workspaces, and AWS and/or Azure providers.


• Proficiency with Git and GitHub workflows.


• Working knowledge of Windows Server and Linux administration, Active Directory, and enterprise networking fundamentals.


• Working knowledge of DoD cybersecurity compliance requirements and processes


• Ability to work onsite as required by the program.