SME Systems Engineer

the-swift-group; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Swift Group is seeking an SME Systems Engineer with cloud and platform engineering experience for the Infrastructure team on a mission-focused program. The role involves hands-on leadership to evaluate, design, and implement end-to-end enhancements across cloud, hybrid, and data processing platforms.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in cloud/platform/systems engineering, strong Linux administration, and experience with AWS/Azure/GCP, security, and CI/CD pipelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Cloud/Platform/Systems Engineering.
• Experience designing and supporting enterprise infrastructure across networking, storage, compute, and container platforms.
• Strong Linux systems administration (Red Hat/CentOS) with automation and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing hybrid and cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) with security and cost optimization.
• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases (Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis).
• Proficiency in scripting/automation (Python, Bash, PowerShell) and IaC tools (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation).
• CI/CD pipelines and GitOps (Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, ArgoCD).
• Security hardening, monitoring (Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK, CloudWatch).
• Ability to create as‑is and to‑be architecture docs, engineering designs, migration plans.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain cloud-based and hybrid infrastructure in AWS.
• Develop and maintain IaC with Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, AWS CDK.
• Support deployment and management of containerized apps (Kubernetes, EKS, Docker Swarm).
• Assist Linux-based systems configuration, integration, and administration.
• Manage day-to-day system operations, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Troubleshoot data pipelines and collaborate to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with software/data engineers and stakeholders on data processing capabilities.
• Work in Agile environments to support CD/rapid iteration and mission responsiveness.
• Contribute to reliability, scalability, security, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Write and maintain system documentation, processes, training materials.
• Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, OS, middleware, databases, apps.

Skills

Cloud Engineering

Platform Engineering

Systems Engineering

Linux admin

Cloud architecture

IaC (Terraform, Ansible)

Kubernetes / Docker

CI/CD (Jenkins, GitHub Actions)

Security best practices

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT or related field

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

CloudFormation

AWS CDK

Kubernetes

Job description

The Swift Group is a privately held, mission-driven and employee-focused services and solutions company headquartered in Reston, VA. Our capabilities include Software Development, Engineering & IT, Data Science, Cyber Enablement, Logistics, and Training. Founded in 2019, Swift supports Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence Community customers across the country and around the globe.

We are looking for a SME Systems Engineer with cloud and platform engineering experience to join our high-performing Infrastructure team on a dynamic, mission-focused program. This role requires a hands‑on technical expert capable of evaluating existing systems and applications, documenting current‑state architectures, designing future‑state solutions, and executing end‑to‑end enhancements or technology modernization efforts. The ideal candidate is a technical leader who delivers, not just advises—someone who collaborates seamlessly across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, security, and data teams while maintaining accountability for system reliability, performance, scalability, and security.

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain cloud-based and hybrid infrastructure solutions in AWS environments.
• Develop, manage, and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, and AWS CDK.
• Support the deployment, configuration, and management of containerized applications using Kubernetes, EKS, Docker Swarm, or similar technologies.
• Assist application teams with the creation, configuration, integration, and administration of Linux-based systems and platforms.
• Manage day-to-day system operations, including monitoring system performance, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Perform initial troubleshooting of system and data pipeline issues and collaborate with internal and external teams to efficiently resolve issues.
• Collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders to design, implement, debug, monitor, and support complex data processing capabilities.
• Work within Agile development environments to support continuous delivery, rapid iteration, and mission responsiveness.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, scalability, security, and operational efficiency of mission systems.
• Write and maintain technical documentation, including system documentation, processes, procedures, and training materials.
• Perform hands‑on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Cloud Engineering, Platform Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• Extensive experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise infrastructure across networking, storage, compute, and container platforms
• Strong experience with Linux systems administration (Red Hat/CentOS), including configuration, hardening, automation, and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying hybrid and cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), including cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization
• Experience with relational and NoSQL database technologies including Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, and Redis
• Experience developing and integrating web services, APIs, middleware, and event‑driven messaging systems (SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)
• Proficient in scripting and automation using Python, Bash, and PowerShell, and Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation
• Experienced in implementing CI/CD pipelines and GitOps workflows using Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, and ArgoCD
• Strong background in security best practices, systems hardening, and monitoring/incident response using Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, and CloudWatch
• Skilled in creating as‑is and to‑be architecture documentation, detailed engineering designs, and implementation/migration plans
• US citizenship with an active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker)
• Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google BigQuery)
• Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies
• Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)
• Zero Trust and modern security architectures
• Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure
• AWS Certification: Solutions Architect Professional or equivalent