Systems Engineer – Level II

Karthik Consulting, LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Karthik Consulting, LLC in San Diego, CA seeks a Systems Engineer to drive continuous software sustainment and operational stability in secure production environments, with architectural oversight and hands-on server administration.

The role requires active TS/SCI clearance, experience with Linux/Windows servers, virtualization (VMware vSphere, AWS), and DISA STIG compliance. Expect Agile practices and updates with minimal downtime on a defense program.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance or eligible with investigation completed.
• 3+ years in systems engineering and software sustainment using Agile.
• 2+ years enterprise Linux/Windows server administration with virtualization.
• Experience with continuous monitoring and DISA STIG compliance.

Responsibilities

• Perform systems engineering activities including architectural oversight and system integration in secure environments.
• Lead continuous software sustainment with operational support, vulnerability management and debt remediation.
• Apply Agile frameworks tailored to defense software environments.
• Push software updates to live production with minimal downtime.
• Administer scalable Linux and Windows servers, including VMware vSphere and AWS.
• Ensure DISA STIG compliance and IA mandates.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cybersecurity compliance

Agile methodologies

Tools

VMware vSphere

AWS

Job description

Position Summary
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.
This position is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated salary range of $120k-$130k based on candidate qualifications and final contract requirements.
Work Environment
Clearance Required: Active Top Secret/SCI
Location: San Diego, CA
Program: NIWC-PAC Application Arsenal Enterprise Engineering and Lifecycle Support
Salary: $120 – $130K
Compensation
Karthik Consulting is committed to providing competitive compensation based on the responsibilities of the role, required qualifications, security clearance level, relevant experience, certifications, customer requirements, geographic location, and overall business needs. The salary range listed for this position represents a good-faith estimate of the current compensation range for this role.
At Karthik Consulting, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range. Final compensation decisions are based on the facts and circumstances of each candidate’s experience, qualifications, certifications, clearance level, contract requirements, and overall alignment with the role.
Employees may be eligible for company benefits and additional compensation programs, subject to company policy, contract requirements, and individual eligibility.
Key Responsibilities

• 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
  

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