Principal Systems Engineer

Columbia Technology Partners, Inc; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Vision & Dental

401(k)

PTO & Leave

Career growth

Life & AD&D

Profit sharing

Referral bonus

Job summary

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the engineering and sustainment of complex, mission-focused enterprise systems. This role provides senior technical authority across FORNSAT environments, RF-enabled solutions, and GOTS-based architectures, supporting integrated Linux, virtualization, and multi-domain infrastructures.

Responsibilities include designing architectures, deploying virtualization platforms, administering Linux and Windows Server operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline with 20 years of systems engineering experience.
• High School Diploma or GED with 25 years of broad systems engineering experience across relevant disciplines.
• Proven experience supporting FORNSAT systems and executing complex systems integration efforts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical lead for engineering, integration, validation, and operational sustainment of RF-enabled and FORNSAT hardware and software systems.
• Design and implement enterprise system architectures built on Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) technologies.
• Engineer, deploy, and maintain virtualization platforms supporting both cloud-hosted and on-premises environments.
• Perform advanced administration and troubleshooting of Linux systems to ensure system resilience, uptime, and security compliance.
• Integrate, configure, and support GOTS solutions within large-scale, interconnected system environments.
• Lead Windows Server operations, including system optimization, automation, security hardening, and lifecycle management.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, and mission partners to ensure system interoperability and operational readiness.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, system documentation, monitoring strategies, and cybersecurity best practices.

Skills

Linux systems

Virtualization

Windows Server

Cybersecurity

FORNSAT

GOTS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline

High School Diploma with 25 years of experience

Job description

Job Description

Columbia Technology Partners is hiring a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the engineering and sustainment of complex, mission‑focused enterprise systems. This position delivers senior‑level technical authority across FORNSAT environments, RF‑enabled solutions, and GOTS‑based architectures, supporting highly integrated Linux, virtualization, and multi‑domain system infrastructures.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical lead for the engineering, integration, validation, and operational sustainment of RF‑enabled and FORNSAT hardware and software systems.
• Design and implement enterprise system architectures built on Government Off‑The‑Shelf (GOTS) technologies.
• Engineer, deploy, and maintain virtualization platforms supporting both cloud‑hosted and on‑premises environments.
• Perform advanced administration and troubleshooting of Linux systems to ensure system resilience, uptime, and security compliance.
• Integrate, configure, and support GOTS solutions within large‑scale, interconnected system environments.
• Lead Windows Server operations, including system optimization, automation, security hardening, and lifecycle management.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, and mission partners to ensure system interoperability and operational readiness.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, system documentation, monitoring strategies, and cybersecurity best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited engineering or related technical discipline with twenty (20) years of systems engineering experience.
• High School Diploma or GED with twenty‑five (25) years of broad systems engineering experience across relevant disciplines.
• Proven experience supporting FORNSAT systems and executing complex systems integration efforts.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. CTP is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
• Certification Requirements: DOD 8570 Certification.
• This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

Benefits

• Medical: 3 superior plans.
• Vision & Dental: free and paid in full.
• 401(k): 6% company contribution.
• PTO & Leave: generous, including Jury Duty, Bereavement, and Military Leave.
• Career Growth: up to $10,000 for approved learning and training.
• Life & AD&D, Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability: zero cost.
• Profit Sharing Bonus: end‑of‑year cash added to net pay.
• Referral Bonus Program: $7,000 to $20,000 if referral is hired.

Columbia Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law. Our EEO policy reflects our commitment to ensuring equality and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our policy applies to all employees, job candidates, contractors, stakeholders, partners, and visitors.