System Engineer, Level 3

Independent Software, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Generous benefits

Ongoing training and mentorship

Work-life balance

Job summary

Independent Software, Inc. is looking for a Systems Engineer Level 3 to enhance mission-critical Linux infrastructure. The role involves supporting secure enterprise environments, focusing heavily on troubleshooting and optimizing Linux systems.

Ideal candidates will have significant experience with containerized and cloud-hosted solutions, networking, and security policies. A Bachelor’s degree is required, along with robust problem-solving skills to meet operational challenges.

Qualifications

• Strong Linux systems engineering and administration experience.
• Experience supporting containerized and cloud-hosted environments.
• Strong understanding of IP networking, routing, switching, and firewall technologies.
• Experience with automation and configuration management tools.

Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering across secure Linux enterprise environments.
• Maintain integrity and security across mission-critical Linux systems.
• Support containerized and cloud-hosted environments.
• Troubleshoot complex system, network, and application issues.
• Implement system hardening and secure configurations.

Skills

Linux systems engineering

Containerized environments

Cloud-hosted solutions

IP networking

Troubleshooting skills

PKI/TLS configurations

Kubernetes

AWS

Automation tools (Ansible)

Education

Bachelor's degree in qualified engineering field

High School Diploma or GED

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in qualified engineering field

Job description

What You Will Do

As a Systems Engineer Level 3 at Independent Software, you will support the administration, engineering, security, and operational sustainment of mission-critical Linux infrastructure across secure enterprise and real-time operational environments. This role is heavily focused on Linux systems engineering within containerized, cloud-hosted, virtualized, and dataflow-processing environments supporting DoD and Intelligence Community missions.

You will work closely with users, customers, and a small mission-focused engineering team to maintain system integrity, performance, security, and operational availability across enterprise and mission systems. This position requires strong troubleshooting skills, deep Linux systems expertise, and experience supporting secure operational environments requiring SSP compliance and STE/STN support.

The ideal candidate enjoys working across infrastructure layers including operating systems, networking, storage, security, and application support while solving complex operational challenges in secure mission environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering and system administration activities across secure Linux enterprise environments
• Maintain system integrity, availability, performance, and security across mission-critical Linux systems
• Support and maintain containerized and cloud-hosted environments, including Kubernetes-based deployments and AWS infrastructure
• Administer and support virtualization platforms and enterprise storage management solutions
• Configure and troubleshoot IP networking, routing, switching, and firewall technologies within Linux-centric environments
• Support application deployments and provide advanced troubleshooting across OS, network, storage, and security layers
• Implement and maintain system hardening, PKI/TLS configurations, cryptographic policies, and secure configuration baselines
• Ensure systems comply with SSP documentation requirements and STE/STN security standards
• Support system patching, vulnerability remediation, and secure operational sustainment activities
• Troubleshoot complex system, network, application, and dataflow issues while escalating operational risks and outages as required
• Support mission dataflow systems, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing data pipelines
• Assist in the operation and support of RF systems, signal transport components, and mission transport environments
• Support logging, monitoring, and analytics platforms such as ELK / Elasticsearch for system observability and troubleshooting
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, system documentation, and technical implementation guidance
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and security teams to support mission objectives

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong Linux systems engineering and administration experience
• Experience supporting containerized and cloud-hosted environments
• Experience supporting virtualization platforms and enterprise storage management solutions
• Strong understanding of IP networking, routing, switching, and firewall technologies
• Strong understanding of PKI, TLS, cryptographic principles, and Linux crypto policies
• Experience supporting SSP compliance documentation and STE/STN security requirements on Linux systems
• Strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure layers including operating systems, networking, storage, and applications
• Experience supporting enterprise applications within secure Linux environments
• Familiarity with Kubernetes, AWS, and modern infrastructure technologies
• Experience with automation and configuration management tools such as Ansible or similar platforms is a plus
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within operational engineering teams

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus six (6) years of systems engineering experience; OR
• High School Diploma or GED, plus ten (10) years of general systems engineering experience across any process area; OR
• Master’s degree in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus four (4) years of systems engineering experience; OR
• PhD in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus two (2) years of systems engineering experience.

Qualified engineering fields include, but are not limited to: Aeronautics, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Software, Systems, and Engineering Management. Comparable or closely related engineering degrees will be considered.

Related disciplines include, but are not limited to: Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, and Physics. Comparable or closely related degrees will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting real-time or near-real-time data processing environments
• Experience supporting RF systems, antenna hardware, or signal transport systems
• Experience with dataflow processing platforms or mission transport systems
• Experience supporting ELK / Elasticsearch monitoring and analytics environments
• Experience supporting secure DoD or Intelligence Community operational systems

Clearance Requirement

• Must possess an active TS SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role

Why Choose Independent Software

• Support critical national security missions that matter
• Be part of a close‑knit, employee‑first culture where your voice is heard
• Expand your skills through ongoing training, mentorship, and career development
• Enjoy competitive compensation, generous benefits, and work‑life balance

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.