Systems Engineer

VTG Defense; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

VTG is seeking a Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA with strong ISSE and data engineering experience to design, secure, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions. The role spans secure cloud architecture, ETL/AI‑ML data engineering, virtualization, and modern development practices.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in classified AWS environments, Cypher/Python/Java/JavaScript, and graph technologies, with the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with relevant polygraph.
• Extensive experience designing, securing and operating data flows in high-security environments.
• Strong ISSE background including A&A/ATO, security architecture and continuous monitoring.
• Hands-on with ETL pipelines, data modeling and AI/ML-supported data engineering.
• Proficiency in Cypher, Python, Java or JavaScript; graph technologies experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead ISSE activities across the full system lifecycle, including architecture development and security control implementation.
• Develop, maintain and update SSPs, POA&Ms, test procedures and continuous monitoring artifacts.
• Perform vulnerability assessments, patch actions, and remediation workflows for cloud and on‑premise systems.
• Integrate security-by-design into system architectures, data flows and ETL pipelines.
• Collaborate with engineers, developers and mission customers to align solutions with accreditation needs.
• Design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines for AI/ML and large-scale analytics.
• Develop software components in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript following secure practices.
• Collaborate in Agile environments and contribute to CI/CD.

Skills

ISSE

Data engineering

ETL pipelines

Cypher

Python

Java

JavaScript

Neo4j

Education

BS/BA + sponsor experience

MS/MA + sponsor experience

PhD + sponsor experience

Tools

Neo4j

Cypher

Python

Java

JavaScript

Job description

Overview

VTG is looking for a Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA.

What will you do?

We are seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineering with strong Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) and Data Engineering experience to design, secure, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions. This role blends system engineering, secure cloud architecture, advanced analytics, ETL/AI‑ML data engineering, virtualization technologies, and modern development practices. The ideal candidate has experience operating in classified AWS environments, developing with Cypher/Python/Java/JavaScript, and working with graph technologies, while communicating complex concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Information Systems Security Engineering (ISSE):

• Lead and execute ISSE activities across the full system lifecycle, including security architecture development, security control selection/implementation, and ensuring compliance with NIST and customer‑specific security requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and update A&A/ATO documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, test procedures, compliance evidence, and continuous monitoring artifacts.
• Conduct routine system security scans, vulnerability assessments, patch/update actions, and remediation workflows for cloud and on‑premises systems.
• Integrate security‑by‑design principles into system architectures, data flows, ETL pipelines, and mission workflows.
• Partner with system engineers, developers, and mission customers to align technical solutions with accreditation requirements, classification constraints, and operational risk considerations.

Data Engineering:

• Design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines, including data flows supporting AI/ML/LLM projects and large-scale analytics.
• Perform functional and technical analysis, internal control and risk analysis, cost estimation, timeline assessments, and trade studies supporting mission solutions.
• Apply system engineering disciplines and concepts of operations across cross‑organizational environments, ensuring secure and scalable system design.
• Clean, preprocess, analyze, and visualize medium‑to‑large datasets using modern analytic and statistical methods.
• Build and optimize Neo4j graph database solutions including schema design, relationship modeling, and efficient Cypher query development.
• Develop software components in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript following secure development practices.
• Collaborate within Agile development frameworks and contribute to iterative planning cycles, sprint activities, and CI/CD processes.
• Maintain documentation for datasets, queries, security artifacts, engineering decisions, and developed software components.

Do you have what it takes?

Required Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI with relevant polygraph
• Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA including at least 2 years of Sponsor experience; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA including at least 2 years of Sponsor experience; Minimum of 3 years with PhD including at least 2 years of Sponsor experience; an additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• Demonstrated experience designing, securing, and operating data flow solutions in high‑security/classified environments
• Strong ISSE background including A&A/ATO, security architecture, vulnerability analysis, accreditation documentation, and continuous monitoring requirements
• Hands‑on experience with ETL pipelines, data modeling, activity modeling, and AI/ML‑supportive data engineering
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Cypher, Python, Java, JavaScript)
• Experience with graphing database technologies (Neo4j and Cypher query language expertise preferred)
• Demonstrated experience cleaning, modeling, and visualizing medium‑to‑large datasets
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Customer‑specific experience supporting mission systems or classified programs

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise data strategy, data governance, stewardship practices, and metadata management
• Experience developing dashboards or system visualizations
• Exposure to AI/ML or LLM system engineering and data workflows
• Familiarity with Agile development frameworks and cloud‑native design patterns

VTG’s estimated starting pay range is $165,000-$210,000 annually, which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.