Systems Engineer 3

Columbia Technology Partners; Maryland; On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to act as a senior technical authority for architecting, integrating, and sustaining large-scale packet-based hardware and software systems in secure, mission-critical environments. The role drives end-to-end lifecycle activities using COTS and GOTS technologies to support high-throughput analytic platforms like XKEYSCORE.

Responsibilities include leading system integration across compute, storage, network, and software, and

Qualifications

• Minimum twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience in large, complex programs.
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline; five additional years may substitute for a degree.
• Demonstrated experience integrating or sustaining large-scale analytic or mission processing systems in high-availability, secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Architect, integrate, test, deploy, and sustain packet-based hardware and software systems using COTS and GOTS in large-scale distributed environments.
• Lead end-to-end systems integration across compute, storage, network, and software to ensure interoperability, scalability, and optimized analytic performance.
• Develop and execute system integration, validation, verification, and deployment strategies for operational readiness and compliance with requirements.
• Design, maintain, and enhance automation scripts (Bash and Perl) to support provisioning, configuration management, and lifecycle maintenance of core servers and clusters.
• Drive automation initiatives and process improvements to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability across distributed infrastructures.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership and advanced troubleshooting, including upgrades, patching, performance tuning, and lifecycle sustainment in operational settings.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Bash scripting

Perl scripting

XKEYSCORE familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer functions as a senior technical authority responsible for architecting, integrating, and sustaining large-scale packet-based hardware and software systems in secure, mission-critical environments. This role leads end-to-end system lifecycle activities leveraging COTS and GOTS technologies to support high-throughput analytic platforms, including XKEYSCORE, and provides advanced technical leadership across integration, automation, performance optimization, and operational sustainment while ensuring compliance with classified system standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect, integrate, test, deploy, and sustain packet-based hardware and software systems utilizing COTS and GOTS solutions in large-scale distributed environments supporting XKEYSCORE or similar mission platforms.
• Lead end-to-end systems integration across compute, storage, network, and software components to ensure interoperability, scalability, resilience, and optimized analytic performance.
• Develop and execute system integration, validation, verification, and deployment strategies to ensure operational readiness and compliance with technical and mission requirements.
• Design, maintain, and enhance BASH and PERL automation scripts to support system provisioning, configuration management, and lifecycle maintenance of core servers and clustered computing environments.
• Drive automation initiatives and process improvements to improve system reliability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability across distributed infrastructures.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership and advanced troubleshooting support, including system upgrades, patching, performance tuning, and lifecycle sustainment in operational settings.
• Deliver technical training and mentorship to administrators, operators, and engineering teams while enforcing security, compliance, and configuration management requirements for classified systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience supporting programs of comparable size, scope, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline; five (5) additional years of relevant Systems Engineering experience may substitute for a degree.
• Demonstrated experience integrating, sustaining, or supporting large-scale analytic, SIGINT, or mission processing systems (e.g., XKEYSCORE or equivalent) in high-availability, secure environments.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. CTP is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
• DOD 8570 Certification

Salary: $190000.00 - $225000.00 per year

CTP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law. Our EEO policy reflects our commitment to ensure equality and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our policy applies to all employees, job candidates, contractors, stakeholders, partners, and visitors.