Systems Engineer II

SGS Consulting; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS Consulting is seeking a versatile hardware and software support specialist to help operate and improve R&D capture environments across Linux, Windows, and macOS. You will troubleshoot systems, assist with camera/optical and AV equipment, and contribute to reliability and throughput of study sessions.

The role involves scripting in Bash and Python, documenting issues, updating SOPs, and coordinating with researchers, engineers, and non-technical stakeholders to keep operations running

Qualifications

• Must adhere to data handling and participant privacy protocols for user study environments.
• Linux/Windows/Mac troubleshooting (terminal & CLI utilities).
• Networking knowledge and basic network debugging.
• Scripting ability in Bash and/or Python.
• Strong communication and teamwork across diverse functions.
• Experience with camera/optical systems, lighting, audio, or AV equipment (RME, Blackmagic, AVB).
• Root cause analysis in large-scale hardware/software systems.

Responsibilities

• Support capture operations through hardware/software troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Troubleshoot Linux, Windows, and macOS using terminal/CLI tools.
• Perform basic network debugging and issue triage for connectivity, DNS, DHCP, and routing basics.
• Develop and maintain lightweight automation scripts in Bash and/or Python.
• Support onsite user study environments and coordinate with stakeholders for readiness.
• Follow data handling and participant privacy protocols for user studies.
• Document procedures and fixes to support repeatable operations and knowledge sharing.
• Update SOPs as issues are resolved or processes change.
• Provide operational support for camera/optical systems, lighting, audio, and AV equipment.
• Coordinate across researchers, engineers, and non-technical sponsors to keep operations running smoothly.

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Support capture operations via hardware and software troubleshooting, root cause analysis, cross-functional collaboration, process improvement, and engineering improvements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues across Linux, Windows, and macOS systems using terminal/CLI tools and standard diagnostics.
• Perform basic network debugging and issue triage (e.g., connectivity, DNS, DHCP, routing basics) and support common network protocols.
• Develop and maintain lightweight automation/scripts in bash and/or Python to improve reliability and operational efficiency. (No need to build from scratch — primarily maintaining and improving existing tools.)
• Support and maintain systems used in onsite user study environments, including coordination with internal stakeholders to ensure readiness for sessions.
• Follow established data handling, participant privacy, and operational protocols for user study environments.
• Document procedures, common issues, and fixes to support repeatable operations and knowledge sharing.
• Update SOPs as issues are resolved or processes change.
• Provide operational support for camera/optical systems, lighting, audio systems, and/or AV equipment (e.g., RME, Blackmagic, AVB), and assist in capture-stage or VR hardware environments as needed.
• Support multiple concurrent data collection projects spanning different disciplines (electrical, software, hardware), prioritizing and context-switching as needed.
• Coordinate with a wide range of cross-functional partners — including researchers, engineers, and non-technical stakeholders — to keep operations running smoothly.

Skills

• Must be able to adhere to data handling and participant privacy Protocols for user study environments.
• Linux/Windows/Mac troubleshooting (terminal & CLI utilities)Computer network protocol knowledge and basic network debugging.
• Scripting ability in bash and/or pythonStrong communication & teamwork skills, can effectively collaborate with many people with distinct job functions (non-engineering)Former MAANG experienceExperience with camera/optical systems, lighting, audio systems, or AV equipment (RME, Black Magic, AVB)Ability to build scripts/tools from scratchPrior work with capture stage environments or VR hardware is a plusStrong documentation & process improvement disciplineRoot cause analysis experience in large-scale hardware/software systems

Education/Experience

• 2+ years of experience in hardware troubleshooting (cameras, networking, PDUs), data collection operations, software scripting, and on-site lab support for complex R&D capture systems.