MCP/Integration Engineer

NextGen Federal Systems; Aberdeen (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGen Federal Systems in Aberdeen, MD is seeking a highly motivated MCP/Integration Engineer to support the development and deployment of mission-focused AI capabilities. This role involves building Model Context Protocol services and integrating operational systems within complex tactical environments.

Key responsibilities include maintaining MCP servers, supporting integrations with operational databases, and ensuring seamless interoperability across mission systems. Candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of relevant experience, along with an active Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems integration, software engineering, or middleware development.
• Strong experience with Python, Go, Java, C++, or similar programming languages.
• Active Security Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain MCP servers and integration services.
• Support integrations with mission-relevant data environments.
• Develop and execute automated integration and validation testing.

Skills

API development

Systems integration

Software engineering

Middleware development

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Linux

Job description

NextGen is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled MCP/Integration Engineer to support the development, integration, and deployment of mission-focused AI and operational integration capabilities across complex tactical and enterprise environments. This role will focus on building Model Context Protocol (MCP) services, integrating operational systems and mission platforms, and enabling secure communication between agentic AI workflows, hardware systems, sensors, databases, and command-and-control architectures using ReadiChat.

ReadiChat is a mission-focused, agentic AI platform designed to help organizations build, deploy, govern, and scale specialized AI agents for operational workflows. It combines AI agents, workflow orchestration, grounded knowledge, testing frameworks, and enterprise controls into a single collaborative workspace.

The ideal candidate will possess strong software engineering and systems integration experience with the ability to interface across tactical platforms, mission systems, AI-enabled applications, and operational data environments. This role requires close collaboration with engineers, operators, platform vendors, and government stakeholders to ensure seamless interoperability and mission effectiveness within evolving operational architectures such as NGC2.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain MCP servers and integration services that expose operational applications, mission systems, device controls, sensor data, databases, file systems, and enterprise services to agentic AI workflows and operational applications.
• Support integrations with high-side and mission-relevant data environments, including operational repositories, analytics platforms, and mission databases such as Arsenal and other classified or restricted-access systems.
• Implement integrations for the X9 Spider Mission Computer architecture, including onboard compute environments, hardware interfaces, sensor integrations, communications systems, and mission-specific peripherals.
• Integrate operational AI and mission workflows with EMSCO, Lattice, AIDP, and related mission systems to support interoperability within the broader NGC2 architecture and operational ecosystem.
• Integrate agents with external command systems, reporting tools, operational platforms, and mission applications through MCP services, APIs, adapters, and middleware solutions.
• Implement secure tool interfaces with clearly defined schemas, permission boundaries, authentication controls, audit logging, input validation, error handling, and operational safeguards.
• Implement read/write separation and execution controls that allow agents to inspect system state, validate operational context, and safely execute authorized actions.
• Develop and execute automated integration and validation testing for MCP services and operational tool interfaces, including parameter validation, workflow testing, tool-call verification, failure-state testing, and operational edge-case evaluation.
• Support deployment, sustainment, troubleshooting, and optimization of MCP services and integration pipelines across cloud, edge, tactical, and disconnected operational environments.
• Collaborate with AI engineers, software developers, systems engineers, cybersecurity teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure integrations align with mission requirements, security constraints, and operational workflows.
• Train customer technical personnel on MCP service architecture, deployment workflows, testing methodologies, troubleshooting procedures, and safe extension of MCP-enabled capabilities within operational environments such as X9 Spider.
• Maintain technical documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), API references, deployment procedures, sample tool calls, configuration guides, and operational integration notes supporting customer sustainment and future enhancements.
• Support DevSecOps and CI/CD activities related to integration, testing, accreditation, and deployment of operational software and AI-enabled services.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in systems integration, software engineering, middleware development, or operational platform integration.
• Experience developing APIs, integration services, middleware, or microservice-based architectures using Python, Go, Java, C++, or similar programming languages.
• Experience integrating hardware systems, sensors, communications interfaces, or mission systems into operational or enterprise architectures.
• Familiarity with MCP concepts, AI orchestration frameworks, or agentic AI integration patterns.
• Experience with REST APIs, message brokers, service-oriented architectures, and distributed systems.
• Experience with Linux-based systems, containerized applications, and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Understanding secure software development principles, access controls, logging, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Experience with troubleshooting and debugging across software, hardware, network, and operational environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work directly with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Active Security Clearance is required

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting tactical, airborne, edge-compute, or mission-command environments.
• Familiarity with X9 Spider Mission Computer architectures or similar mission platform integrations.
• Experience supporting NGC2, AIDP, Lattice, EMSCO, or similar defense/intelligence integration ecosystems.
• Experience with AI-enabled applications, agentic workflows, or operational decision-support systems.
• Familiarity with classified or high-side operational environments and secure data handling procedures.
• Experience with DevSecOps pipelines, automated testing, and CI/CD frameworks.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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