Senior Systems Engineer Cloud Data Platform

Central Strategies, LLC; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Strategies LLC is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the Cloud Data Pipeline (CDP) for the US Coast Guard, with a focus on data ingestion and enterprise data sharing. This is a 100% remote role across USCG environments.

You will lead implementation, maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment, applying Java/.NET/Python, Linux, and Confluent/Kafka expertise to ensure secure, compliant operations and data reliability.

Qualifications

• High School with 6–9 years of related experience.
• Active DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification in good standing (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+, CCNA-Security, GICSP, GSEC, CND, SSCP).
• Advanced hands-on programming in Java, .NET, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of the Cloud Data Pipeline within USCG cloud environments.
• Maintain and sustain CDP, ensuring uptime and performance.
• Oversee compliance with USCG software standards and security requirements.

Skills

Java

.NET

Python

Linux

Confluent Platform

Apache Kafka

RBAC Admin

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Central Strategies LLC is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the Cloud Data Pipeline (CDP) and engineering services across the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This position supports the Infrastructure Services Division’s effort to enhance the Integrated Data Environment (IDE) system of SURVEYOR. By leveraging the Confluent platform and Apache Kafka, you will help build an enterprise approach to data ingestion and data sharing—reducing information silos, consolidating data, and making critical data discoverable, resilient, and usable across the entire USCG enterprise. This is a 100% Remote position.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will provide comprehensive engineering services covering the end-to-end lifecycle—implementation, maintenance, and sustainment—of the Cloud Data Pipeline (CDP) within USCG-designated environments. Key responsibilities are divided across three operational phases:

Implementation

• Planning & Execution: Lead technical tasking and provide planning/execution support for deploying the CDP within USCG-designated cloud environments.
• Data Integration: Implement robust data ingestion and data sharing capabilities between designated source/recipient systems and the CDP.
• Compliance Integration: Ensure all initial CDP implementation activities strictly comply with USCG software implementation, configuration, and security standards.

Routine Maintenance

• Operational Readiness: Plan and execute scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasking to ensure continuous uptime of the CDP within USCG environments.
• Pipeline Preservation: Maintain and tune data ingestion and data sharing capabilities between source/recipient networks and the CDP ecosystem.
• Operational Alignment: Validate that all ongoing maintenance work complies with USCG software maintenance, configuration, and operational standards.

Lifecycle Sustainment

• Long-Term Planning: Provide expert technical oversight for planning and executing the long-term sustainment and modernization of the CDP.
• System Configurations: Manage complex administrative configurations and performance tuning to support data availability.
• Lifecycle Compliance: Ensure all sustainment, configuration management, and lifecycle management activities adhere completely to established USCG software standards.

Required Qualifications:

• High School with 6 to 9 years (or commensurate experience)
• Certifications: DoD 8570 Compliance: Must hold an active DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification in good standing (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+, CCNA-Security, GICSP, GSEC, CND, or SSCP).
• Programming Proficiency: Advanced, hands-on programming and scripting experience in Java, .NET, or Python.
• Systems Environment: Strong background in Linux programming and system administration.
• Data Ecosystems: Prior production-level experience with the Confluent platform and Apache Kafka knowledge for enterprise data streaming.
• Identity Management (PUMP): Ability to complete the USCG Privileged User Management Program Process (PUMP) to obtain a Role Based Access Control (RBAC) administrative account requiring both a .14 token and a .1c token.
• Engineering Standards: Expert-level understanding of configuration management, requirements analysis, system architecture concepts, and the ability to author technical engineering guidance.
• Clearance Level: Must have an active Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) IT programs.
• Strong familiarity with federal enterprise cloud architectures (AWS or Microsoft Azure) and pipeline automation.
• Exposure to Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).