Systems Architect - Tysons, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

M.C. Dean, Inc. is seeking an IT Systems Architect 5 in McLean, Virginia. This role involves designing and engineering electronic security systems for federal and local authorities. Candidates should have extensive experience in systems engineering and IT solutions, particularly in physical security systems. A Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience are required. Winning applicants will contribute to critical infrastructure and have opportunities to innovate and influence projects across high-growth markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years of progressive experience required.
• 4+ years of experience in physical security systems and IT solutions.
• Strong experience with core platforms like VMware and Active Directory.

Responsibilities

• Drive design of architectural frameworks for complex resilient systems.
• Provide technical direction for requirements development and design.
• Assist with automation and optimization of engineering processes.

Skills

VMware ESXi and vSphere

Microsoft Windows Server Deployment

DNS, DFS, and DHCP

Active Directory

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering

Master’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft SCCM

McAfee security product suite

Job description

About M.C. Dean

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber‑physical solutions for the nation’s most mission‑critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Overview

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber‑physical solutions for the nation’s most mission‑critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Why Join Us?

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward‑thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

IT Systems Architect 5 – Security and Electronic Systems (SES)

Apart from SES Strategic Business Unit, you will be part of a team that designs, engineers, integrates, operates and maintains electronic security services inclusive of intrusion detection, access control, biometric authentication, video surveillance, audio visual, IT systems, perimeter defense and command and control systems for federal, local and commercial customers across high‑growth markets.

Responsibilities

What you’ll do: The position drives the design of architectural frameworks for large complex resilient systems to ensure implemented solutions meet stakeholder needs, standards, and performance requirements. You will provide technical direction for the requirements development, design, engineering, configuration, integration and testing of specific components of complex hardware/software systems.

Specific Responsibilities Include

• Assist with the automation and optimization of engineering processes.
• Perform systems engineering assessments (upgrades, system improvements, lifecycle refreshes, migrations, new deployments), develop conceptual design solutions, and create implementation work breakdown structures to drive planning and estimating. Advise on alternative and innovative approaches and conduct feasibility studies.
• Research, prototype, and develop integrated system capability by working closely with industry partners and OEMs to implement the latest and best‑in‑bread capabilities to meet customer emerging needs.
• Identify and document operational, functional, and technical requirements.
• Develop technical documentation, such as system architecture and system design documentation, functional and performance verification test plans, and technical implementation plans.
• Incorporate new plans, designs and systems into ongoing operations.
• Interact with the Government regarding Systems Engineering technical considerations and for associated problems, issues or conflicts.
• Conduct configuration and development activities.
• Lead/conduct testing against established test plans.
• Participate in interface definition, design, and changes to the configuration between affected groups and individuals throughout the life cycle.
• Review and provide input to program and contract work breakdown structure (WBS), work packages and the integrated master schedule (IMS).
• Review and/or approve system engineering documentation to ensure that processes and specifications meet system needs and are accurate, comprehensive, and complete.
• Support management and ensure the technical integrity of the system baseline over time, continually updating it as various changes are imposed on the system during the lifecycle from development through deployment and operations & maintenance.

Qualifications

Clearance/Citizen Type: Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements, including U.S. Citizenship, for access to classified information; must be able to obtain a TS/SCI and successful polygraph.

Position / Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ Years of progressive experience OR 15+ Years of experience with no degree.
• Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline bachelor’s degree desired.
• Master’s degree, desired.
• 4+ years of experience with the provision of system solutions for physical security systems and IT solutions.
• Experience eliciting requirements, conducting research, designing, testing, and implementing hardware and software solutions for data center and virtual infrastructure technologies.
• Strong engineering experience with the following core platforms and services:
• VMware ESXi and vSphere.
• Microsoft Windows Server Deployment and Administration.
• DNS, DFS, and DHCP.
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Key Management Service (KMS)
• Active Directory and defining, implementing, and maintaining Group Policy.
• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Certificate Authorities
• Experience virtualizing enterprise applications (Active Directory, MS SQL, RHEL, MS SharePoint, etc.).
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining highly secure and reliable solutions that meet all organizational Cybersecurity and Information Assurance requirements.
• Experience with API management, scripting languages including PowerShell, Python, JSON, Bash, etc.
• Meet DoD 8570 IAT Level‑II requirements.
• Strong Oral, Written and Presentation Skills with the ability and experience communicating directly with customer leadership and technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated background working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives.
• Strong MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio skills is a plus.

Desired / Advantageous Qualifications And Experience

• Experience with Microsoft SCCM and Operating System Deployment (OSD).
• Experience administering OCSP (e.g. Axway Validation Authority, Microsoft OCSP Responder).
• Experience troubleshooting and optimizing the McAfee security product suite (Endpoint Security, DLP, HIPS, etc.).
• Large on‑premise storage engineering and administration experience with 3PAR, NetApp, Dell/EMC, Pure Storage, etc.
• Experience designing and deploying SQL Database Infrastructure such as Microsoft SQL Server.
• Experience engineering and implementing data center and campus area networks and security stacks.
• Experience engineering and implementing platforms and services in a software‑defined network environment.
• Experience with DoD IT security requirements including DISA STIG/SRGs.
• Understanding of Department of Defense standards and best practices.
• Vendor certifications, VMware, Cisco, Microsoft, NetApp, etc.

Abilities

• Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Identify and understand the speech of another person.