Systems Engineer

BigBear; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BigBear.ai is seeking a Systems Engineer to support CBP under DHS, focusing on cloud-based systems, 24x7 operations, and mission-critical traveler processing and vetting systems. You will design, implement, and sustain complex IT infrastructure across Linux/Unix environments and cloud platforms.

The role emphasizes DevSecOps, CI/CD, and collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure security, reliability, and scalability in government cloud environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field with 5–8 years of experience in systems engineering or related roles.
• Strong Linux/Unix administration and scripting abilities.
• Experience building and operating systems in AWS GovCloud and/or C2S.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, integrate, and maintain complex IT systems and infrastructure.
• Develop and implement technical solutions supporting mission-critical applications and services.
• Design and manage cloud infrastructure within AWS GovCloud and/or AWS C2S environments.
• Develop and maintain containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Implement infrastructure-as-code and configuration automation using Terraform and Ansible.
• Design, maintain, and improve CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and/or GitLab.
• Apply DevSecOps practices across system development, integration, testing, and deployment activities.
• Perform system integration, functional testing, performance testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis.
• Collaborate with software development, cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, and program teams to resolve technical issues and integrate solutions.

Skills

Linux/Unix expertise

AWS GovCloud / AWS C2S

Kubernetes

Docker

Terraform

Ansible

CI/CD (Jenkins, GitLab)

DevSecOps

System integration & testing

Troubleshooting & root cause analysis

Independent work with cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Terraform

Ansible

Jenkins

GitLab

Job description

Residency

All applicants must currently reside in the United States

Overview

BigBear.ai is seeking a Systems Engineer to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role supports the engineering, integration, enhancement, and sustainment of mission‑critical traveler processing, immigration management, and vetting systems used at and between U.S. Ports of Entry.

The Systems Engineer will work within a highly dynamic, 24x7 mission environment and contribute to the design, implementation, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of cloud‑based systems and infrastructure.

What you will do

• Design, implement, integrate, and maintain complex IT systems and infrastructure
• Develop and implement technical solutions supporting mission‑critical applications and services
• Design and manage cloud infrastructure within AWS GovCloud and/or AWS C2S environments
• Develop and maintain containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes
• Implement infrastructure‑as‑code and configuration automation using Terraform and Ansible
• Design, maintain, and improve CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and/or GitLab
• Apply DevSecOps practices across system development, integration, testing, and deployment activities
• Perform system integration, functional testing, performance testing, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis
• Analyze complex system and infrastructure issues and develop sustainable technical solutions
• Support Linux/Unix environments, including system configuration, administration, and troubleshooting
• Evaluate system performance, reliability, scalability, and availability
• Develop and maintain system architecture documentation, technical procedures, and configuration documentation
• Collaborate with software development, cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, and program teams to resolve technical issues and integrate solutions
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable security, technical, and industry standards
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers
• Participate in technical planning, design reviews, implementation planning, and operational support
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, automation, and system reliability
• Perform other related engineering duties as assigned

What you need to have

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 to 8 years of experience
• Strong experience with Linux/Unix environments
• Experience designing, deploying, or maintaining systems in AWS, preferably AWS GovCloud and/or C2S
• Hands‑on experience with Kubernetes and Docker
• Experience with infrastructure‑as‑code and automation using Terraform and Ansible
• Experience developing or maintaining CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitLab, or similar tools
• Experience applying DevSecOps practices within enterprise or mission‑critical environments
• Demonstrated experience with system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and performance analysis
• Strong technical problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required government clearance/background investigation

What we'd like you to have

• Experience supporting federal government, DHS, CBP, or other mission‑critical environments
• Experience operating systems in 24x7 production environments
• Experience with secure cloud architecture and government cloud environments
• Experience implementing automated infrastructure provisioning and deployment
• Experience with system monitoring, logging, and performance optimization
• Relevant AWS, Kubernetes, Linux, DevOps, or security certifications
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or providing technical leadership on engineering efforts

Pay transparency

Please note the targeted compensation range is provided as an estimate, and any actual compensation offer may vary depending on the needs of the company, or an applicant's skillset, competencies, experience, education, certifications, location, or other factors. The estimated range does not include the value of any benefits offered.

About BigBear.ai

BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI‑powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai’s predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission‑based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.

BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 to 8 years of experience
• Strong experience with Linux/Unix environments
• Experience designing, deploying, or maintaining systems in AWS, preferably AWS GovCloud and/or C2S
• Hands‑on experience with Kubernetes and Docker
• Experience with infrastructure‑as‑code and automation using Terraform and Ansible
• Experience developing or maintaining CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitLab, or similar tools
• Experience applying DevSecOps practices within enterprise or mission‑critical environments
• Demonstrated experience with system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and performance analysis
• Strong technical problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required government clearance/background investigation
• Design, implement, integrate, and maintain complex IT systems and infrastructure
• Develop and implement technical solutions supporting mission‑critical applications and services
• Design and manage cloud infrastructure within AWS GovCloud and/or AWS C2S environments
• Develop and maintain containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes
• Implement infrastructure‑as‑code and configuration automation using Terraform and Ansible
• Design, maintain, and improve CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and/or GitLab
• Apply DevSecOps practices across system development, integration, testing, and deployment activities
• Perform system integration, functional testing, performance testing, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis
• Analyze complex system and infrastructure issues and develop sustainable technical solutions
• Support Linux/Unix environments, including system configuration, administration, and troubleshooting
• Evaluate system performance, reliability, scalability, and availability
• Develop and maintain system architecture documentation, technical procedures, and configuration documentation
• Collaborate with software development, cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, and program teams to resolve technical issues and integrate solutions
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable security, technical, and industry standards
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers
• Participate in technical planning, design reviews, implementation planning, and operational support
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, automation, and system reliability
• Perform other related engineering duties as assigned