Systems Engineer – Level II

Karthik Consulting, LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

KARTHIK CONSULTING, LLC is seeking a Systems Engineer to drive continuous software sustainment and operational stability across secure production environments. You'll provide architectural oversight, hands-on server administration, and a strong command of cybersecurity compliance in a mission-critical defense setting.

The role emphasizes agile workflows, zero-downtime updates, and managing scalable Linux/Windows servers with virtualization (VMware vSphere, AWS).

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI or TS/SCI Eligible with Tier 5 investigation completed.
• 3+ years in systems engineering and software sustainment using Agile methods.
• 2+ years enterprise server administration for Linux and Windows.
• Experience with secure production environments and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous software sustainment and operational stability in secure environments.
• Provide architectural oversight and hands‑on server administration.
• Apply Agile methodologies to defense software projects.
• Push updates with zero or near‑zero downtime and enforce DISA STIGs.

Skills

Systems engineering

Agile methodologies

Operational stability

Tools

VMware vSphere

AWS

Linux

Windows Server

DISA STIG

Job description

Clearance Required: Active Top Secret/SCI or TS/SCI Eligible (with completed Tier 5 investigation)

Role Overview

We are looking for a Systems Engineer to drive continuous software sustainment and operational stability across secure production environments. You'll bring architectural oversight, hands-on server administration, and a strong command of cybersecurity compliance to a mission-critical defense environment.

Technical Scope

• Perform systems engineering activities including architectural oversight, requirements traceability, and system integration within secure environments
• Conduct continuous software sustainment, including operational support, proactive vulnerability management, and technical debt remediation
• Actively apply Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe) tailored to defense software environments
• Push software updates to live production environments with zero or near-zero downtime and minimal operational disruption
• Administer and maintain scalable Linux and Windows enterprise server environments, including virtualized platforms (e.g., VMware vSphere, AWS)
• Execute continuous monitoring and enforce DISA STIG compliance to meet cybersecurity and Information Assurance (IA) mandates

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI or TS/SCI Eligible with completed Tier 5 investigation
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience in systems engineering and continuous software sustainment using modern Agile methodologies, with proven ability to deliver zero/near-zero downtime production updates
• 2+ years of recent (within the last 5 years), demonstrated operational experience in enterprise server administration for both Linux and Windows, including deployment, configuration, and maintenance of scalable virtualized environments (e.g., VMware vSphere, AWS)
• Demonstrated proficiency in continuous monitoring and DISA STIG compliance
• Must satisfy 'Intermediate Proficiency' for the '451 - System Administrator' role per the DoD 8140 Dashboard and maintain eligibility for privileged/administrative system access at all times