Systems Engineer Lead

asmexternalcareersite; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ASM Research seeks a Systems Engineer Lead to serve as the senior technical authority for mission systems supporting OIM and SC. You will guide the full system lifecycle from planning and design through secure integration, transition to operations, and continuous optimization, aligning with DOE cybersecurity requirements.

You will lead a team of systems engineers, coordinate with OIM leadership, cybersecurity, operations, and application development, and provide strategic direction on

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in managing systems engineering teams and projects.
• Certifications listed: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, M365 Enterprise Admin Expert, CCNP, VCP.
• Strong knowledge of secure system design, lifecycle integration, and operations transitions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage systems engineering staff, ensuring task prioritization and career development.
• Interface between OIM leadership and systems engineering across SC; provide strategic guidance on architecture and modernization.
• Oversee design and documentation of enterprise IT solutions across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environments.
• Direct AA and CBA for emerging technologies and modernization projects; provide oversight for major initiatives.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity, operations, and application teams to resolve issues and optimize performance and resilience.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert

Cisco CCNP

VMware VCP

Vendor certifications (Palo Alto etc.)

Tools

Azure

Microsoft 365

Cisco Networking

VMware

Security tools (Palo Alto)

Job description

Overview

The Systems Engineer Lead will serve as the senior technical authority and team leader for systems engineering services supporting the Office of Information Management (OIM) and the Office of Science (SC) mission systems. This role is responsible for guiding the full system lifecycle—from planning and design through secure integration, transition to operations, and continuous optimization—while ensuring alignment with DOE cybersecurity requirements and SC lifecycle methodologies.

The Lead will oversee a cadre of systems engineers, provide technical direction, and act as the primary liaison between engineering staff, OIM leadership, and cross-functional teams including cybersecurity, operations, and application development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Lead and manage systems engineering staff, ensuring effective task prioritization, performance management, and professional development.


• Serve as the senior interface between OIM leadership and systems engineering functions across SC.


• Provide strategic guidance on architecture decisions, modernization strategies, and policy formulation.


• Ensure consistent delivery of engineering products aligned with SC lifecycle methodology, templates, and documentation standards.

Systems Design and Implementation

• Oversee the design and documentation of enterprise IT solutions across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environments.


• Guide the development of secure integration plans, configuration baselines, and architecture artifacts.


• Ensure technical planning, feasibility assessments, requirements analysis, and risk evaluations are conducted with rigor and aligned to mission priorities.

Engineering Project Management and Lifecycle Support

• Direct Alternatives Analysis (AA) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for emerging technologies and modernization projects.


• Provide engineering oversight for major initiatives, ensuring timely coordination, risk mitigation, and issue escalation.


• Champion lifecycle integration practices, ensuring adherence to SC-approved methodologies and DOE cybersecurity requirements.

Escalation and Cross-Team Support

• Act as the escalation point for complex systems issues requiring advanced troubleshooting and specialized insight.


• Coordinate engineering support during major outages, degraded services, and scheduled maintenance events.


• Ensure seamless collaboration with cybersecurity, operations, and application teams to resolve issues and optimize performance.

Innovation and Technical Leadership

• Lead the evaluation of new and emerging technologies for applicability to SC’s enterprise environment.


• Provide subject matter expertise to OIM leadership in support of enterprise architecture, modernization strategies, and secure system design.


• Drive innovation initiatives that enhance scalability, resilience, and security across SC’s IT systems.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing systems engineering teams and projects.


• Expertise equivalent to industry-recognized certifications such as:


• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert


• Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert


• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)


• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)


• Relevant security or platform certifications (e.g., Palo Alto Networks or other vendor-approved credentials)


• Proven track record in secure system design, lifecycle integration, and system transitions to operations.


• Strong interdisciplinary knowledge in systems engineering, cybersecurity, operations integration, and documentation practices.


• Familiarity with SC lifecycle management processes (or ability to be trained upon onboarding).

Compensation Ranges

Compensation ranges for ASM Research positions vary depending on multiple factors; including but not limited to, location, skill set, level of education, certifications, client requirements, contract-specific affordability, government clearance and investigation level, and years of experience. The compensation displayed for this role is a general guideline based on these factors and is unique to each role. Monetary compensation is one component of ASM's overall compensation and benefits package for employees.

EEO Requirements

It is the policy of ASM that an individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. We affirm our commitment to these fundamental policies.

All recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications is done without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, or age. All decisions on employment are made to abide by the principle of equal employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described in \"Knowledge, Skills and Abilities\" above are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. (For example, \"light office duties' or \"lifting up to 50 pounds\" or \"some travel\" required.) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualifying disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.