Systems Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology; United States; On-site; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology in Tampa, FL, is seeking an early-career Systems Engineer to support USCENTCOM lab infrastructure and enterprise testing. The role involves hardware assembly, OS deployment, patching, and validating baselines in a fast-paced defense environment.

You will work under senior engineers to ensure secure, baselined lab systems, with responsibilities spanning physical installation, test execution, vulnerability remediation, and SOP maintenance across Windows and

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of Windows Server 2019/2022, Windows 10/11, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and virtualization (VMware ESXi/vCenter).
• Experience with physical server racking, stacking, cabling, and hardware component replacement.
• Understanding patch management lifecycles and basic networking (TCP/IP, VLANs, routing).

Responsibilities

• Perform physical installation, racking, stacking, cabling, and baseline configuration of servers, workstations, storage, and lab appliances.
• Execute standardized hardware and software test plans and validation scripts.
• Identify, document, and track hardware defects and software bugs for escalation.
• Apply scheduled security patches, OS updates, and firmware across Windows and Linux.
• Validate post-patching system stability and dependencies to preserve baselines.
• Support virtualization environments, including VM creation and maintenance (VMware/Hyper‑V).
• Assist in implementing STIGs and vulnerability remediation efforts.
• Maintain lab configuration docs, asset inventories, and SOPs.
• Provide Tier I/II troubleshooting for hardware, OS, and network issues.

Skills

Hardware Installations

Patch Management

Security Patch Management

Software Test Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Type of Requisition:

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Top Secret/SCI

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

IT Infrastructure and Operations

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Hardware Installations, Patch Management, Security Patch Management, Software Test Planning

Certifications:

None

Experience:

3 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

GDIT has an immediate opening for an early-career Systems Engineer supporting the CITS contract for USCENTCOM. This position is based on‑site in Tampa, Florida, with direct focus on enterprise lab infrastructure, integration, patching, and testing.

Position Overview

The Systems Engineer serves as a core technical contributor responsible for executing software and hardware testing, baseline integration, systematic vulnerability patching, and functional validation within the USCENTCOM enterprise laboratory. Working under the guidance of senior engineering staff, this role provides technical support across physical and virtual environments to ensure lab systems remain secure, properly baselined, and fully validated prior to operational or exercise deployment. The engineer will assemble hardware, deploy operating systems, execute structured test plans, apply security baselines, and assist in maintaining laboratory readiness in a fast‑paced defense environment.

HOW A Junior Systems Engineer WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform physical installation, racking, stacking, cabling, and baseline configuration of servers, workstations, storage devices, and lab network appliances.

• Execute standardized software and hardware test plans, procedures, and validation scripts to verify system functionality and interoperability.

• Identify, document, and track hardware defects, software bugs, and performance bottlenecks, reporting findings to senior engineering leads.

• Apply scheduled security patches, operating system updates, application hotfixes, and hardware firmware upgrades across Windows and Linux environments.

• Validate post‑patching system stability, performance, and application dependencies to ensure zero degradation of lab baselines.

• Support virtualization environments, including creating, configuring, and maintaining virtual machines in VMware vSphere/ESXi and Hyper‑V.

• Assist in the implementation of DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and support vulnerability remediation efforts.

• Maintain laboratory configuration documentation, hardware/software asset inventories, test execution records, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Provide Tier I/II troubleshooting support for hardware faults, operating system anomalies, and network connectivity issues within the test environment.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

Education, Clearance & Certifications

Security Clearance: Active SECRET clearance required with the ability to upgrade to TS/SCI.

Certifications: Current DoD 8140 / DoD 8570 IAT Level II baseline certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CCNA‑Security, CySA+, or equivalent).

Required qualifications: Foundational technical knowledge of Windows Server (2019/2022), Windows 10/11, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and virtualization environments using VMware ESXi or vCenter. Candidates must have practical experience with physical server racking, stacking, cabling, and hardware component replacement, alongside a clear understanding of patch management lifecycles and basic networking concepts including TCP/IP, VLANs, and routing.

Education: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent operational experience/military training).

Experience : 3+ years of related experience in systems engineering, hardware staging, systems administration, or laboratory test environments.

Required and Desired Qualifications

Required qualifications include foundational technical knowledge of Windows Server (2019/2022), Windows 10/11, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and virtualization environments using VMware ESXi or vCenter. Candidates must have practical experience with physical server racking, stacking, cabling, and hardware component replacement, alongside a clear understanding of patch management lifecycles and basic networking concepts including TCP/IP, VLANs, and routing.

Desired qualifications include hands‑on exposure to vulnerability scanning tools such as ACAS (Tenable Nessus) and automated configuration management frameworks. Experience with basic automation and scripting using PowerShell or Bash, along with prior experience operating within DoD test labs, military command environments, or USCENTCOM networks, is highly advantageous.

Travel and Shift Requirements

Position may require up to 10% travel in support of USCENTCOM mission requirements. Work hours and shift schedules are determined by lab operational requirements and support needs.

Company Overview:

GDIT is a leading technology integrator solving our nation’s most complex modernization and readiness challenges. We provide innovative technology solutions and services across Defense, Intelligence, Homeland Security, Federal Civilian, and Health markets. Join GDIT and be part of the team of men and women who solve some of the world’s most complex technical challenges.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.

• Growth: AI‑powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities

• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals

• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, competitive pay and paid time off

• Community: Award‑winning culture of innovation and a military‑friendly workplace

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The likely salary range for this position is $93,500 - $126,500. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Travel Required:

Less than 10%

Telecommuting Options:

Onsite

Work Location:

USA FL MacDill AFB

Additional Work Locations:

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US‑based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post‑tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long‑term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission‑ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at

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Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans