Lead Engineer, Software Systems Engineering

Russell Tobin; Tampa (FL); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare coverage

401(k) retirement savings

Life & disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Legal support

Pet insurance

Employee discounts with vendors

Job summary

Russell Tobin is seeking a Lead Engineer for Software Systems Engineering in Tampa, FL or West Los Angeles, CA. The contract role (1 year, with extension or possible full-time) is hybrid and pays $65-75/hour on W-2, DOE.

The incumbent will own and enhance corporate applications, focusing on automation, security, and AI-driven improvements across enterprise platforms. You will design, administer, and optimize core applications in hybrid-cloud environments, lead AI-driven efficiency initiatives,

Qualifications

• 5+ years in systems engineering or similar, focusing on enterprise apps.
• Experience with Linux/Windows server admin and public cloud platforms (Azure).
• Practical use of IaC tools such as Terraform, Ansible or ARM templates.
• Strong scripting skills: PowerShell, Python, or Bash.
• Hands-on with containerization and observability tools (e.g., Datadog/Prometheus/ELK).
• Interest or experience applying AI for business processes and automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, administer, and optimize core applications and infrastructure in hybrid-cloud environments.
• Lead AI-driven efficiency by embedding AI, ML, and automation into processes.
• Translate business needs into scalable, automated technical solutions leveraging AI and cloud services.
• Lead technical projects from requirements to design, implementation and adoption.
• Serve as escalation point for complex system issues with root-cause analysis.
• Implement and enforce security best practices, ensure PCI DSS and SOC 2 compliance.
• Mentor junior engineers and evaluate new technologies in AI/automation space.

Skills

Linux/Windows server administration

Public cloud platforms (Azure)

Azure AI Services & IAM

PowerShell

Python

Bash

Containerization & observability

AI for business processes

C# development

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

ARM templates

Job description

Lead Engineer, Software Systems Engineering

Contract (1 Year + Possible extension or FTE)

Tampa, FL or West Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid)

Pay Rate: $65-75 an hour on W2 (DOE)

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Lead Corporate Systems Engineer to own and enhance the business platforms that power our enterprise services. This role is a key bridge between business needs and technical execution, responsible for the administration, automation, security, and strategic evolution of our corporate applications.

This role will also pioneer the integration of AI solutions to drive significant gains in enterprise efficiency and unlock new capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, administer, and optimize core applications and infrastructure across hybrid-cloud (Azure and on-prem) environments.
• Champion and lead AI-driven efficiency by identifying opportunities to embed AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation into business processes and internal applications.
• Translate business requirements into scalable, automated, and efficient technical solutions, with a focus on leveraging modern AI and cloud services.
• Lead technical projects through the full lifecycle, from requirements gathering and design through implementation and adoption.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex system issues, providing advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Implement and enforce security best practices and ensure systems comply with standards such as PCI DSS and SOC 2, with particular attention to data governance for AI systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive technical innovation by evaluating and recommending new technologies, particularly in the AI and automation space.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering or a similar role with a focus on enterprise applications.
• Expertise in Linux/Windows server administration and public cloud platforms, preferably Azure, including Azure AI Services and IAM.
• Proven experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Ansible, or ARM templates.
• Strong scripting skills in PowerShell, Python, and/or Bash.
• Hands-on experience with containerization and observability tools such as Datadog, Prometheus, or the ELK stack.
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in leveraging AI for business process automation, such as using LLMs for internal knowledge management, implementing intelligent chatbots, or automating data analysis workflows.
• C# development experience preferred.

Benefits

For workers in the United States, PrideGlobal and it's affiliates offers eligible employee’s comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, pet insurance and employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

PrideGlobal and it's affiliates are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

PrideGlobal and it's affiliates are a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.

Only applicable for San Francisco Candidates

Under the San Francisco Lactation in the Workplace Ordinance, we will provide written notice of lactation accommodation rights, and this notice will automatically be given upon hiring, any inquiry of parental leave or lactation accommodation.

Only applicable for Kentucky positions

For this type of employment, state law requires a criminal record check as a condition of employment. This applies to direct care staff (Examples: RN, LPN, Nurse Aides, Therapists) referred to Kentucky nursing facilities, assisted living communities, or long-term care facilities, in accordance with KRS 216.793.