Principal Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Cornerstone Defense LLC; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense LLC is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (Linux) in McLean, VA. The role focuses on architecting and managing large Linux environments, implementing security controls, automating operations, and supporting data center infrastructure.

The engineer will work with Puppet/Ansible for centralized management, configure NFS/SAN storage, and lead incident response and performance optimization efforts. On-site work with a skilled cross-disciplinary IT team is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in CS/IS/Engineering/Math
• 4+ years relevant experience; 5+ IC sysadmin; 7+ years total sysadmin

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and recover Linux-based data center systems.
• Perform monitoring, failure analysis and performance tuning.
• Configure and manage NFS, SAMBA, and SAN storage.
• Automate tasks with scripts; implement configuration management (Puppet/Ansible).
• Document system configurations, changes, and backup histories.
• Ensure security policies and patch management are up to date.

Skills

Linux administration

Scripting (Shell, Python, PowerShell)

System hardening

NFS/SAMBA/SAN

Puppet/Ansible

Performance monitoring

Incident response

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering/Math or equivalent

5+ years IC sysadmin experience; 7+ years total sysadmin

Tools

Kubernetes

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer, Linux McLean, VA

The Program is comprised of Linux (80%), Windows (20%), virtualization, storage, network, HW, and data center engineers that works as a team and offers rewarding opportunities to think outside the box in order to deliver innovative and sustainable IT environments to our customers. The System Administrators work both independently and as a member of an integrated product team supporting a wide variety of basic and complex computing and network configurations and must have proven Linux experience. The on-site system administrator will support the installation, configuration, maintenance, failure analysis and recovery, performance monitoring, data storage management, and security management of the data center environment. The system administrator will have experience in at least one, preferably two, scripting languages (shell, Perl, Powershell, Python, etc.) and shall have proven experience administering Linux operating systems in the conduct of their duties. The right candidate will have proven experience in problem solving.

Mandatory Skills :

• Architecting, deploying, and managing large Linux networked environments including deployment and configuration
• Installing, configuring, updating and removing system and application software
• Hardening Linux server installations
• Installing, configuring, updating and removing system hardware (servers, workstations, transceivers, network interface cards)
• Configuring NFS, SAMBA, and SAN
• Monitoring and allocating system resources (CPU, memory, and storage space)
• Proven experience creating, implementing, and maintaining scripts for process automation, infrastructure monitoring, and proactive reporting
• Auditing system log files, to include compliance audits
• Diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware and software problems
• Documenting hardware and software configurations, maintenance history, and backup history
• Implementing up-to-date system policies and procedures
• Updating/patching system operating systems
• Proven experience in all aspects of managing large Linux environments including the use of configuration management tools like Puppet and Ansible for centralized management and configuration of systems to enforce security controls
• Ability to utilize analysis tools to resolve complex network, systems, and application performance problems
• Responding to inquiries concerning all aspects of computer and network operations
• Creating and managing user/group accounts (ex: Active Directory (AD))

Minimum Education & Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, mathematics, or equivalent experience, and four (4) years of relevant experience (see below bullets). Equivalent military training and/or experience in an information technology field will be considered in lieu of a degree. Five (5) years or more of total intelligence community relevant work experience as a system administrator Seven (7) years' experience as a system administrator

Optional Skills:

• Experience with Kubernetes;
• upgrading Linux systems and transition to new configurations management environments;
• C2S/UC2S policies and procedures;
• familiarity with creation of S3/GLACIERS instances and with Rapid7 vulnerability scans and reports.