IT Systems Engineer – Senior

C3EL; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

C3EL is seeking a Senior IT Systems Engineer in Washington, DC to design, implement, and maintain complex IT systems. The role involves managing both Windows and Linux systems, automating tasks with scripting tools, and providing technical leadership. Candidates should have 8+ years of experience, relevant certifications, and proficiency in virtualization and cloud platforms. This position supports full IT operations and offers opportunities for collaboration with engineering teams to ensure system security and performance.

Qualifications

• Current DoD-8570 IAT Level 2 baseline certification (Security+ CE, or equivalent).
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, IT infrastructure, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Windows Server and/or Linux systems.
• Experience with storage solutions and backup/recovery processes.
• Experience troubleshooting system and infrastructure issues.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain systems including servers and cloud environments.
• Install, configure, and manage Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Monitor system performance and troubleshoot hardware, software, and infrastructure.
• Support system integration and ensure interoperability across platforms.
• Implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.

Skills

Windows Server

Linux systems

Scripting (PowerShell, Python, Bash)

Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V)

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)

Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP)

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science or related field

Associate’s degree plus ten years specialized experience

Tools

Automation tools (Terraform, Ansible)

Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Job description

(Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.)

Description

C3EL is seeking a Senior IT Systems Engineer to support IT operations in Washington, DC. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT systems to ensure reliability, performance, and scalability. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership across system architecture, integration, and operational support.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain systems, including servers, virtualization, storage, and cloud environments.
• Install, configure, and manage Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Monitor system performance and troubleshoot hardware, software, and infrastructure issues.
• Support system integration and ensure interoperability across platforms and applications.
• Implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure systems are secure and aligned with best practices.
• Automate administrative tasks using scripting tools (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash).
• Maintain system documentation, configurations, and standard operating procedures.
• Provide technical guidance to junior team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current DoD-8570 IAT Level 2 baseline certification (Security+ CE, or equivalent).
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, IT infrastructure, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Windows Server and/or Linux systems.
• Experience with virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper‑V) and/or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or similar).
• Knowledge of storage solutions and backup/recovery processes.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
• Experience troubleshooting system and infrastructure issues.
• Scripting experience (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash).
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in large‑scale enterprise environments.
• Familiarity with automation/IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of system hardening and security best practices.
• Relevant industry certifications.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field preferred, OR an Associate’s degree plus ten (10) years of recent specialized experience, OR 12 years of recent specialized experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As set forth in C3EL’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.