Systems Engineer – Level III

Karthik Consulting, LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Karthik Consulting, LLC seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to support the full lifecycle of software development for containerized, VM, and cloud architectures across multiple security domains. Active TS/SCI clearance required; location is San Diego, CA with excluded top‑secret environments.

The role emphasizes DevSecOps integration, security testing gates, and interoperability for defense platforms in demanding operational contexts.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering software in containerized, VM, and cloud architectures.
• Proven ability to implement DevSecOps practices in regulated govt pipelines.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle software development across multi-domain security environments.
• Configure automated security testing tools as CI/CD quality gates.
• Engineer and troubleshoot interoperable defense software systems.
• Support PaaS environments including ACS and CHE.
• Contribute to Five Eyes interoperability architecture.

Skills

Software development lifecycle

Agile methodologies

DevSecOps

CI/CD pipelines

Security testing tools

SAST/DAST/SCA

DDIL environments

Tools

SAST

DAST

SCA

Container scanners

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support the full lifecycle of software development for containerized, virtual machine, and cloud-based architectures across multiple security domains (Unclassified, Secret, Top Secret). This role is critical to delivering secure, interoperable systems for defense platforms operating in the most demanding operational environments.

This position is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated salary range of $140K- $150k 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: $140K – $150K

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

• Lead full lifecycle software development efforts using Agile methodologies across multi-domain security environments
• Apply DevSecOps principles by configuring and maintaining automated security testing tools (SAST/DAST/SCA and container scanners) as quality gates within CI/CD pipelines
• Engineer, integrate, and troubleshoot interoperable software systems for critical defense platforms operating in Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments
• Support afloat and ashore Platform as a Service (PaaS) environments, including Navy’s Agile Core Services (ACS) and USMC’s Common Hosting Environment (CHE)
• Contribute to architecture supporting Five Eyes (FVEY) partner interoperability

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI
• 7+ years of demonstrated experience in full lifecycle software development for containerized, virtual machine, and cloud-based architectures across multiple security domains using Agile methodologies
• 4+ years of experience applying DevSecOps principles, including configuring automated security testing tools (SAST/DAST/SCA, container scanners) as CI/CD quality gates within highly regulated, government-mandated pipelines (e.g., Overmatch Software Armory (OSA) or equivalent DoD enterprise DevSecOps environments)
• 3+ years of experience engineering, integrating, and troubleshooting interoperable software systems within critical defense platforms in DDIL, afloat, and ashore PaaS environments, including but not limited to Navy’s ACS, USMC’s CHE, and FVEY-interoperable architectures