Principal Systems Engineer

General Dynamics - IT; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics - IT in McLean, VA seeks a Systems Engineer Principal to lead engineering operations in a classified cloud enclave and ensure secure workstation access.

You will implement hardening, patching, and monitoring across Red Hat and Linux systems, Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, and related tools, collaborating with security, network, and vendor teams to maintain compliance and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
• 8+ years of related experience
• Hands-on experience with Red Hat operating system
• Understanding of Linux operating systems (Red Hat, Debian)
• Hands-on experience with O&M of Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, Panorama and ClearPass
• Security clearance Top Secret (current and active)
• DoD 8140 / 8570.01-M compliant (e.g., Security+ or equivalent)

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day engineering and operations of Red Hat and other Linux systems in a classified, air‑gapped environment, including configuration, hardening, patching, and maintenance.
• Configure, patch, and monitor systems and network devices using tools such as Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, Panorama, ClearPass, and related platforms, ensuring performance, integrity, connectivity, and backup/recovery capabilities.
• Collaborate with enclave, network, and security engineers, and vendors to troubleshoot issues, enhance the enclave’s network and security posture, and manage security updates, licenses, and support tickets.
• Support vulnerability management and continuous monitoring, including reviewing scans, implementing patching and remediation, POA&M mitigation, and other corrective actions.
• Drive hardening and compliance efforts, including STIG review and implementation, to meet NIST and DoD requirements.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation for designs, configurations, and operational procedures.

Skills

Red Hat OS

Linux distributions

Palo Alto firewalls

Cisco switches

Panorama

ClearPass

Security clearance

DoD 8140 / 8570.01-M

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

SYSTEMS ENGINEER PRINCIPAL

Advance how our customers operate while you advance your career. Join GDIT as a Systems Engineer Principal and build an impactful career in enterprise IT, collaborating with people who are driven and resourceful like you.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT

As a Systems Engineer Principal, the work you’ll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of our customer’s classified commercial cloud environment. You will play a crucial role in operating, securing, and optimizing a secure workstation enclave in a unique commercial cloud setting, ensuring secure and reliable access to mission-critical resources.

• Lead day-to-day engineering and operations of Red Hat and other Linux systems in a classified, air‑gapped environment, including configuration, hardening, patching, and maintenance.
• Configure, patch, and monitor systems and network devices using tools such as Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, Panorama, ClearPass, and related platforms, ensuring performance, integrity, connectivity, and backup/recovery capabilities.
• Collaborate with enclave, network, and security engineers, and vendors to troubleshoot issues, enhance the enclave’s network and security posture, and manage security updates, licenses, and support tickets.
• Support vulnerability management and continuous monitoring, including reviewing scans, implementing patching and remediation, POA&M mitigation, and other corrective actions.
• Drive hardening and compliance efforts, including STIG review and implementation, to meet NIST and DoD requirements.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation for designs, configurations, and operational procedures.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

Bring your technology expertise and drive for innovation to GDIT. The Systems Engineer Principal must have:

• Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
• Experience: 8+ years of related experience
• Technical skills:
  • Hands-on experience with Red Hat operating system
  • Understanding of various Linux operating systems (e.g., Red Hat, Debian)
  • Hands-on experience with operations and maintenance (O&M) of Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, and applicable software including Panorama and ClearPass
  • Security clearance level: Current and active Top Secret
  • Must be DoD 8140 / 8570.01-M compliant (e.g., Security+ or equivalent)
• Onsite - Mclean, VA

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
• Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Explore an enterprise IT career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your desire to drive operations forward.