Systems Engineer, Level 5 – Lab Manager with Security Clearance

Independent Software, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Company paid long-term disability

Short-term disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust

Paid time off and holidays

Paid training opportunities

Open-door policy

Job summary

Independent Software is hiring a Systems Engineer, Level 5 - Lab Manager in Annapolis Junction, MD. You will lead a two-person contractor team responsible for operating multiple machine rooms, ensuring security, organization, and compliance with agency standards.

Responsibilities include coordinating with System Administrators, Network Engineers, Facilities, and vendors to support deployments, hardware replacements, and infrastructure upgrades. A TS SCI with polygraph clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting agency machine rooms or similar mission-critical environments.
• Experience racking and cabling systems for operational deployments.
• Hands-on experience with hardware from HP, Dell, Cisco, Arista, or Juniper.
• Experience supporting and troubleshooting fiber connectivity.
• Experience creating and updating machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools.
• Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations for mission-critical machine rooms, lab, and communications spaces.
• Maintain spaces and access lists in accordance with agency requirements.
• Monitor power, space, and cooling needs and coordinate infrastructure upgrades.
• Support installation and decommissioning of racks, servers, network devices, and communications equipment.
• Manage tickets for hardware replacements and vendor warranty support (e.g., JIRA).
• Monitor machine room conditions and perform routine walkthroughs to identify issues.
• Rack, cable, install, and troubleshoot systems supporting deployments.
• Maintain machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools.
• Coordinate with customers, System Administrators, Network Engineers, Facilities personnel, leadership, and vendors.

Skills

Mission-critical environments

Racking & cabling

Hardware vendors (HP, Dell, Cisco, Ar

Fiber connectivity troubleshooting

Visio drawings

Communication & coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering field +15 yrs Systems Eng experience

Master's degree in Engineering field +13 yrs Systems Eng experience

PhD in Engineering field +11 yrs Systems Eng experience

Tools

Visio

Job description

Who are we? Independent Software is a consulting, product, and solutions firm dedicated to the practical application of software and system engineering technologies to solve complex problems. We bring together world class engineers with proven engineering best practices, domain expertise, commercial technologies, and proven agile management approaches to create high value solutions aimed at helping our customers meet their most critical business and mission objectives. Why Independent Software? We are focused on continual learning and evolution. We don't do things because "that's the way we've always done things"; we listen to our employees and adapt to the changing marketplace. We look at the big picture and encourage our engineers to get training and certifications in emerging technologies that will help shape our customer's mission. We've been profitable year after year. We're always on the lookout for great engineers to join the team and we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of what we do. We focus on recruiting talented people, treating them right, and then allowing them to do what they do best. No red tape. No micromanagement. Smart people want to work with smart people, and we love people who are passionate about what they do and finding ways to do it better.

Top Reasons to Work at Independent Software

• Great people deserve even better benefits, from comprehensive healthcare coverage and generous leave time to discounts with all our vendors.
• You are not just a job title. That's why we tip the work-life balance scale in your favor. It's not about being billable, it's about being valuable.
• Whether you're working on-site or in our offices, your role at Independent Software is just as critical to our success as your coworker's.
• We're constantly researching and implementing the latest technology, so you've always got the right tools at your disposal.
• As we've grown, we've retained that small company feel. When we say we have an open-door policy, we actually mean it.
• Independent Software is comprised of wonderfully generous folks. We believe in supporting the causes our employees care about. Bring us an opportunity to help and we'll listen.
• Teamwork got us where we are today. Our collaborative environment allows you to maximize your true potential.
• The work we do is exciting, critical stuff. No matter your role at Independent Software, you're helping us keep the nation safe and secure.
• We have a history of great achievement, and, with each year, our company gets even bigger and better. As we grow, so does the opportunity for our employees.
• We host a variety of fun employee and family events throughout the year to say thanks for all that you do to make Independent Software a technology leader as well as a phenomenal place to work.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Company Sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
• Company Paid Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Your retirement plan is an important benefit you shouldn't overlook. We offer a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust that offers a powerful way to enhance your long-term financial well-being by investing in yourself. We offer immediate eligibility and company matching.
• A generous Paid Time Off and Holiday package
• Paid training! We encourage all employees to seek out training opportunities like conferences, certification courses and seminars.
• We truly believe the right work-life balance can exist, and it's here at Independent Software. Our work is extremely important, but your job is just a part of who you are. When you enjoy your life outside of our walls, you're at your best the next time you walk through our doors. We do all we can to assure that happens every day.

Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

Systems Engineer, Level 5 - Lab Manager

Annapolis Junction, MD Full Time Systems Engineering Experienced

What You Will Do

At Independent Software, as a System Engineer Level 5 (Lab Manager), you will serve as the Team Lead for a two-person contractor team responsible for supporting multiple machine rooms containing operational, mission-critical systems, as well as associated lab and communications spaces. You will oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of these environments, ensuring they remain secure, organized, operational, and compliant with agency standards. In this role, you will coordinate closely with System Administrators, Network Engineers, customers, Facilities personnel, vendors, and leadership to support hardware installations, equipment replacements, infrastructure needs, and system deployments. You will monitor power, space, and cooling requirements, manage physical access requirements, support rack and cabling activities, troubleshoot hardware and fiber issues, and help ensure the infrastructure is prepared for evolving mission and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and support of mission-critical machine rooms, lab, and communications spaces * Maintain spaces and access lists in accordance with agency requirements * Monitor power, space, and cooling needs and coordinate infrastructure upgrades with Facilities * Support installation and decommissioning of racks, servers, network devices, and communications equipment * Work JIRA tickets for hardware replacements and coordinate vendor warranty support * Monitor machine room conditions and perform routine walkthroughs to identify equipment or infrastructure issues * Rack, cable, install, and troubleshoot systems supporting operational deployments * Maintain machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools * Support fiber connectivity, testing, and troubleshooting * Coordinate with customers, System Administrators, Network Engineers, Facilities personnel, leadership, and vendors

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Experience supporting agency machine rooms or similar mission-critical environments * Experience racking and cabling systems for operational deployments * Hands‑on experience with hardware from vendors such as HP, Dell, Cisco, Arista, or Juniper * Experience supporting and troubleshooting fiber connectivity * Experience creating and updating machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools * Strong communication, coordination, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing or leading a team supporting machine rooms or communications spaces * Experience supporting system build and deployment teams * Experience working in an agency or contractor lab environment

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus fifteen (15) years of Systems Engineering experience; OR * High School Diploma or GED plus nineteen (19) years of general Systems Engineering experience; OR * Master's degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus thirteen (13) years of Systems Engineering experience; OR * PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus eleven (11) years of Systems Engineering experience. Qualified Engineering Fields include Aeronautics, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Software, Systems, and Engineering Management. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.
• Related disciplines include Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, and Physics. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.

Clearance Requirement

• Must possess an active TS SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role

Why Choose Independent Software

• Support critical national security missions that matter
• Be part of a close-knit, employee-first culture where your voice is heard
• Expand your skills through ongoing training, mentorship, and career development
• Enjoy competitive compensation, generous benefits, and work-life balance

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.