Automation Engineer (Top Secret Clearance Required)

Akima; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO) seeks an Automation Engineer to lead design, integration, sustainment, and optimization of networked systems across hybrid environments. You will support Windows Server deployment, WSUS, and PowerShell for classified and unclassified networks, ensuring secure, scalable performance.

In this onsite role in North Charleston, SC, you will apply hands-on engineering to maintain DoN accreditation and DoW cybersecurity compliance, while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT or 4 years of related experience.
• 10 years of progressive IT Systems Engineering/Administration experience.
• Active Top Secret Clearance; CSWF qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and secure Windows environments (classified/unclassified).
• Implement STIGs and cybersecurity controls for DoN accreditation/ATO.
• Plan, design, integrate, verify, and field systems across physical/virtual/cloud enclaves.
• Provide admin/monitoring for Windows systems in mixed environments.
• Prepare analyses, reports, and change proposals; support troubleshooting and tickets.

Skills

Windows Server administration

PowerShell scripting

WSUS deployment

Cybersecurity compliance

System integration

DoD security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology

Tools

AWS Cloud

Azure Cloud

Windows Server Hybrid Administrator

MCSA/MCSE

Red Hat Certified

VMware

DoD-8570 Certifications

Job description

As Automation Engineer, you will provide senior-level technical leadership for the design, integration, sustainment, and optimization of networked systems supporting NIWC RDT&E mission environments. This role works with multiple stakeholders to maintain complex system architectures across hybrid physical, virtual, and cloud-based development, test, and operational enclaves, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure system performance.

This position provides enterprise Windows Server software deployment, system integration, and sustainment across classified and unclassified networks using Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) and PowerShell.

Through hands‑on engineering expertise and proactive system analysis, the Automation Engineer ensures RDT&E environments remain stable, interoperable, and capable of supporting evolving research and test activities.

The Automation Engineer will support multi-tenant lab environments and enterprise services while ensuring compliance with DoW cybersecurity requirements and operational continuity.

This is an onsite position based in North Charleston, SC. Qualified candidates must live within a commutable distance to this area.

Responsibilities

• Perform installation, configuration, maintenance, and security hardening within classified and unclassified network environments.
• Implement, validate, and maintain all required STIGs and cybersecurity controls to achieve and sustain DoN accreditation and ATO compliance.
• Conduct technical planning, system hardware/software/network design, development, integration, verification and validation (V&V), and fielding activities.
• Provide technical support, administration, and monitoring of Microsoft Windows systems within physical and virtual environments.
• Review and prepare engineering and technical analyses, reports, change proposals, and other technical documentation.
• Collaborate with systems admin and helpdesk personnel in evaluating common issues and enhancing the effectiveness of troubleshooting and ticket resolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an Information Technology discipline (or additional 4 years of related experience).
• 10 years of progressive professional experience in IT Systems Engineering and Administration
• Active Top Secret Clearance.
• Maintain certifications and qualifications required under the Cybersecurity Workforce (CSWF). framework for Privileged Access Administrator (PAA) designation.
• Must have at least one (prefer more) of the following certifications:
  • AWS Cloud or Azure Cloud certification.
  • Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate or MCSA/MCSE equivalent.
  • Red Hat Certified Administrator/Engineer certs.
  • AWS Cloud or Azure Cloud certification.
  • VMWare Certification.
  • DoD-8570-Compliant Cybersecurity Certification (e.g. Security+, CE, CISSP, etc.).

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to create and deploy automated task sequences in PowerShell/WSUS, including Windows migrations, custom image deployments, and configuration management.
• Understand how to use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for deployments and configuration management.
• Experience automating third-party software deployments integrated with WSUS.
• Experience using VMware vSphere and Hyper‑V virtualization.
• Experience configuring analytics to enhance performance visibility and automation.
• Experience administering, securing, and troubleshooting Microsoft Enterprise Servers in both physical and virtualized environments.
• Experience supporting Windows enterprise environments in classified and unclassified networks.

Any clearance requirements for this position are established by the government contract.

On-Site

Company Description

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO), an Akima company, is not just another federal logistics contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At AMO, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

Work Where it Matters

For our shareholders, AMO provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, AMO delivers innovative administrative support services that streamline operations, and enhance productivity.

As an AMO employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.