System Engineer II with Security Clearance

Client Solution Architects; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Client Solution Architects (CSA) seeks a Systems Engineer II to support NIWC-PAC in San Diego, CA. You will design and maintain secure software delivery pipelines spanning multi-domain environments, with emphasis on DevSecOps practices and defense standards.

The role involves architectural oversight, incident response, and continuous delivery in mission-critical systems. The position demands TS clearance eligibility, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and 3+ years in systems engineering within

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of systems engineering experience with continuous software sustainment.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and DoD cybersecurity timelines.

Responsibilities

• Architectural oversight for mission-critical defense applications.
• Develop and maintain secure software delivery pipelines across multi-domain environments.
• Provide tier 2/3 technical support for production systems and incident response.

Skills

DevSecOps

Containerization

System engineering

CI/CD

SAFe

VMware vSphere

AWS

Windows PowerShell

Linux

Bash/Python/Ansible

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

VMware vSphere

AWS

Hyper-V

KVM

Job description

Client Solution Architects (CSA) is currently seeking a Systems Engineer II to support a program onsite in San Diego, CA. This position will support critical naval software delivery operations for Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC-PAC), located in San Diego, California. The selected candidate will play a vital role in supporting the Application Arsenal (AA), NIWC-PAC's enterprise-class software distribution and delivery platform for software deployed at the tactical edge. Current deployment targets include Agile Core Services (ACS), USMC Common Hosting Environment, and other continuous integration / continuous deployment (CI/CD) software environments. The selected candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure software delivery pipelines that operate across multiple classification domains and challenging operational environments. This role requires deep technical expertise in modern DevSecOps practices, containerized architectures, and defense-specific platform integration. For nearly 50 years, CSA has delivered integrated technology and operational support services to meet the defense and federal sector's most complex enterprise needs. Working from operations centers and shipyards to training sites and program offices, CSA deploys experienced teams, innovative tools and proven processes to advance federal missions. How Role will make an impact: * Architectural Oversight - Designing, reviewing, and maintaining system architectures that support mission-critical defense applications

• Requirements Traceability - Establishing and maintaining bidirectional traceability between stakeholder requirements, system design, implementation, and verification activities
• System Integration - Integrating complex software components within secure, multi-domain environments while ensuring interoperability and compliance with defense standards

* Operational Support - Providing tier 2/3 technical support for production systems, including incident response, root cause analysis, and resolution

• Proactive Vulnerability Management - Identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and remediating security vulnerabilities in accordance with DoD cybersecurity timelines and risk management frameworks
• Technical Debt Remediation - Systematically addressing technical debt through refactoring, modernization, and optimization efforts to maintain system health and performance

* Scrum - Sprint planning, daily standups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives

• Kanban - Continuous flow management, work-in-progress limits, and visual workflow optimization
• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) - Program Increment (PI) planning, Agile Release Trains (ARTs), and enterprise-level coordination

* Zero or near-zero downtime deployment strategies (blue-green deployments, canary releases, rolling updates)

• Minimal operational disruption through comprehensive testing, rollback procedures, and change management
• Live production environment updates while maintaining system availability and mission readiness
• Continuous Monitoring - Implementing and maintaining security monitoring solutions (SIEM, log aggregation, intrusion detection)
• DISA STIG Compliance - Rigorous implementation and validation of Defense Information Systems Agency Security Technical Implementation Guides across all managed systems

* Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance

• Authority to Operate (ATO) support activities
• Security control implementation and assessment
• Vulnerability scanning and remediation tracking

Requirements What you’ll need to have to join our award-winning team:

• Clearance: Must possess and maintain an active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility.
• A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum Three (3) years of demonstrated experience in systems engineering and continuous software sustainment, utilizing modern Agile methodologies to ensure seamless delivery and operational stability in production environments.
• Minimum Two (2) years of recent (within the last 5 years) demonstrated operational experience in enterprise server administration across heterogeneous operating system environments.
• Selected candidates must satisfy the requirements for 'Intermediate Proficiency' for the '451 - System Administrator' role as defined in the DoD 8140 Cyber Workforce Framework (formerly DoD 8570).

Certification Requirements: Acceptable certifications include (but are not limited to): * CompTIA Security+ CE

• CompTIA CySA+
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Other DoD 8140-approved certifications at the Intermediate level

Must have hands‑on experience with both: * Linux Operating Systems - RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, or other enterprise distributions

• System installation, configuration, and hardening
• Package management, kernel tuning, and performance optimization
• Shell scripting and automation (Bash, Python, Ansible)
• Windows Server Operating Systems - Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
• Active Directory, Group Policy, and domain services
• PowerShell scripting and automation
• IIS, DNS, DHCP, and other Windows-based services

Demonstrated proficiency in deploying, configuring, and maintaining scalable virtualized environments, including: * VMware vSphere - ESXi host management, vCenter administration, virtual machine lifecycle management

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) - EC2, VPC, S3, IAM, and other core services
• Other Virtualization Platforms - Hyper-V, KVM, or equivalent enterprise virtualization technologies

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: * Sit for extended periods of time and work at a computer workstation

• Use hands and fingers to operate keyboards, mice, and other input devices
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Specific vision abilities required may include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust
• Stand, walk, bend, or reach; Access equipment located in data centers, offices, or under desks
• Lift and/or move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).