Principal Systems Engineer

Columbia Technology Partners, Inc; Annapolis, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in Maryland to lead the engineering and sustainment of mission‑focused enterprise systems. You will drive RF‑enabled and FORNSAT integration, LoB architecture using GOTS technologies, and virtualization across cloud and on‑prem environments.

The role requires deep Linux administration, Windows Server leadership, and collaboration with mission partners to ensure interoperability, security, and compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering or related technical discipline with twenty (20) years of systems engineering experience; or
• High School Diploma or GED with twenty‑five (25) years of broad systems engineering experience across relevant disciplines.

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.

Skills

RF systems

FORNSAT

GOTS

Linux admin

Windows Server

System integration

Security hardening

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related field

High School Diploma/GED with 25 years experience

FORNSAT experience

Job description

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; or
• 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.

About us:

Founded in 2007, Columbia Technology Partners is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with a specialization in technology and management consulting committed to solving intricate and sensitive technology issues facing corporations and federal agencies. Since its inception, CTP has been instrumental in the technical design, engineering development, operational deployment, and support of key systems. With a proven track record in information security, project management, systems/network engineering, security risk management, vulnerability assessments, and mobile security implementation; our employees have the experience, expertise, and innovative thinking our customers need for results that exceed expectations. CTP staff have worked closely with both government engineers and management to gather mission requirements, develop the architecture to deliver the needed functionality and assess tools available to meet or exceed the needs of the mission.

At Columbia Technology Partners (CTP), we are united in being the best that we can be as individuals, but our core belief is that we can be better together. Together we will take on each mission with an execution process that authentically represents who we are. Our success relies on our team values, the foundation we built around them, and the Partners we become along the way.

That's why our pay is competitive, our missions are critical, and our benefits
represent what matters most to CTP: Our People.

Salary Range Transparency

At Columbia Technology Partners we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. We believe in creating a work environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and rewarded for their contributions.

How We Determine Salary Ranges

Our salary ranges are based on the following key factors:

• Job Role and Responsibilities:
• Market Research and Industry Benchmarks:
• Experience and Qualifications:
• Location:
• Company Performance:

Really good benefits, for really GREAT people:

From our CTP Family to yours, we know how important these decisions are. Your benefits are about you, not us. Tell us what you need in order to see a future at CTP; let's get where you're going, together.

Medical: CTP offers 3 superior plans, bringing our employees both in-network and out-of-network options.

Vision + Dental: Both free to you + paid in full by CTP.

Retirement: 401k - 6% company contribution

PTO + Leave: A work life balance is extremely important to our team here at CTP, which is why our paid time off plans are so lucrative. Offering customizable leave plans to meet your needs is just one of our many perks! Jury Duty, Bereavement + Military Leave provided.

Career Growth: Up to $10,000 provided for approved career-related learning, training, education, and/or tuition.

Life and AD&D Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: More peace of mind, at zero cost to you.

Profit Sharing Bonus: End of year cash gets added to your bottom-line.

Referral Bonus Program: Our tiered program provides an incentive with each stage of the hiring process your referral passes. Our bonuses range from $7,000-$20,000, if your referral joins the team.

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 ensure equality and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our policy applies to all employees, job candidates, contractors, stakeholders, partners, and visitors.

CTP was voted one of the top 25 best places to work in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine!