Systems Engineer (Prime)

The Solutions Group Llc; Corridor North (MD); On-site; USD 155,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Medical plans

Zero deductible options

401(k) with vesting

Bonus opportunities

Team activities

Job summary

Intelliforce-IT Solutions Group, LLC seeks a Watch Desk Lead to own 24x7 mission operations, oversee a small team, and coordinate with government and contractor staff. You will monitor critical systems, lead incident response, and drive day-to-day improvements in tools and workflows.

In a fast-paced defense environment, this role emphasizes speed, ownership, and steady execution. You’ll modernize infrastructure, document processes, and shape mission outcomes.

Qualifications

• Top Secret Clearance with Polygraph, active; we cannot sponsor clearances.
• U.S. Citizenship required; visa sponsorship not available.
• 14+ years of Systems Engineer experience in similar scope.
• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field; 5 additional years may substitute for degree.
• Security+ certification or willingness to attain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead Watch Desk activities to support 24x7 mission operations.
• Monitor system and application health, identify issues early.
• Troubleshoot OS, application, dataflow, and network issues; escalate as needed.
• Read system graphs, dashboards, and metrics to assess health.
• Support mission analytics operations and use RTRG analytics daily.
• Oversee Tier 1 production support for global mission users.
• Generate concise status updates for customers, teammates, leadership.
• Produce reports and metrics using multiple data sources.
• Develop SOPs for Watch Desk and customer use.
• Direct and guide a small Watch Desk shift team.
• Maintain schedules and shift coordination; support new architecture.
• Collaborate with government and contractor teammates on operations.
• Maintain clear procedures and steady execution in high-visibility environment.

Skills

Watch Desk leadership

Linux administration

Scripting: Python

Scripting: Ruby

Scripting: Bash

Docker

Kubernetes

Nagios

Grafana

Prometheus

SOP development

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Tools

Rancher

Ansible

Elasticsearch

Redis

Solr

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Watch Desk Lead

Why You Want This Role

Step into a leadership role at the center of 24x7 mission operations. This team supports a Watch Desk responsible for monitoring and sustaining operational systems that serve the warfighter and other mission users across Government and Contractor-approved facilities worldwide. You will help keep critical systems healthy, responsive, and mission-ready in an environment where speed, ownership, and steady execution matter every day. You will help sustain and evolve a high-performance operational IT environment supporting CNO capabilities. This is not a ticket-only administrator role. You will work hands-on with advanced compute infrastructure, improve how engineers work day to day, and build the documentation and repeatable processes that keep mission systems moving.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

This role gives you real ownership over systems, workflows, and user experience. You will support advanced compute platforms, help modernize infrastructure, partner directly with onsite administrators and engineering teams, and improve how support happens across the environment. The work is practical, visible, and tied to mission outcomes, with a mix of hardware sustainment, Linux administration, virtualization, documentation, and long-term modernization. At Intelliforce, your work is seen and your contribution matters. Because we support prime programs, our teams stay close to meaningful mission work with real momentum. Because we are a small business, leadership is accessible, communication is direct, and strong technical ownership gets noticed. Add in long-term stability, strong benefits, and a people-first culture, and this becomes more than another system administration role. It is a chance to help shape modern mission infrastructure while making tomorrow’s work easier than today’s.

Schedule and Work Details

This role provides technical services for a 24x7 Watch Desk responsible for monitoring and sustaining operational systems that support the warfighter and other users in Government and Contractor-approved facilities worldwide. The team responds to system problems and customer inquiries in a timely manner while helping meet the continued demands of the global mission. This role includes Tier 1 Watch Desk support for operational systems as well as support for forthcoming new architecture alongside the government.

Watch Desk operates on a repeating two-week schedule:

• 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday and every other Wednesday, this is the open shift
• 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and every other Wednesday
• 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Sunday through Tuesday and every other Saturday
• 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Wednesday through Friday and every other Saturday
• 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Watch Desk Lead

Here’s What Your Day-to-Day Might Include

• Lead Watch Desk activities supporting operational systems in a 24x7 mission environment
• Monitor system and application health and identify issues before they become mission-impacting
• Troubleshoot OS, application, dataflow, and network issues and escalate as required
• Read and interpret system graphs, dashboards, and metrics to assess system health and correct operations
• Support mission analytics operations and use RTRG mission analytics in day-to-day monitoring and response
• Oversee Tier 1 support activities for production systems supporting mission users worldwide
• Generate concise and accurate status updates for customers, teammates, and leadership
• Produce reports and metrics for customer submission using multiple data sources
• Develop SOPs for Watch Desk personnel and customer use
• Direct and provide meaningful guidance to a small team of Watch Desk shift personnel
• Maintain schedules and support shift coordination as required
• Partner with government personnel and contractor teammates to support new architecture entering operations
• Help maintain clear procedures, strong coordination, and steady execution in a high-visibility mission support environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Clearance: Top Secret Clearance with Polygraph, must be active. We do not have the ability to sponsor clearances
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. We cannot sponsor visas
• Experience: 14 years of experience as a Systems Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Five additional years of SE experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree
• Security+ Certification required, or willingness to attain within 6 months

Required Skills

• Experience supporting operational systems in a mission, NOC, Watch Desk, or service desk environment
• Experience leading or coordinating technical support efforts in a high‑tempo operational setting
• Strong systems troubleshooting skills across hardware and software
• Strong Linux skills, including system monitoring and troubleshooting
• Experience with Java or scripting languages such as Ruby, Python, or Bash
• Experience developing SOPs and operational procedures
• Familiarity with Rancher, Ansible, Elasticsearch, Redis, Solr, Docker, Kubernetes, and dataflow concepts
• Experience with Nagios, Grafana, and Prometheus
• Experience monitoring OS and applications and troubleshooting issues as needed
• Experience troubleshooting dataflow and network issues and escalating when requiredAbility to read a variety of system graphs and operational dashboards and correctly interpret system behavior
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to dissect complex issues and generate concise, accurate status
• Experience generating metrics and reports for customers using disparate data sources
• Ability to lead a small team and provide meaningful guidance to teammates
• Ability to maintain schedules and support continuous Watch Desk operations

Desired Skills

• AWS knowledge or hands‑on AWS experience
• Experience supporting 24x7 operations or watch environments
• Experience with Tier 1 support for mission-critical or operational systems
• Experience helping transition new systems or architecture into operational support
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, requirements, and operational documentation
• Strong troubleshooting, coordination, and incident management skills
• Ability to stay organized and decisive in fast‑moving operational environments

Compensation Range

$155,000.00 - $195,000.00

This salary range reflects our current market estimate for the role. Final compensation will depend on your experience, technical background, overall qualifications, and alignment with the position. We evaluate each candidate thoughtfully, so offers are shaped around the value you bring to the team.

Why Intelliforce? Because you matter—your work, your growth, and your well‑being.

At Intelliforce, we don’t just push the boundaries of technology—we partner with some of the most mission‑driven teams in defense and beyond to solve challenges that truly matter. As a Systems Engineer here, you won’t just contribute to projects—you’ll help shape outcomes that make a real‑world impact.

We also know that great work starts with a great environment. That’s why we invest in you:

• Ample PTO to rest and recharge—plus all federal holidays and your birthday off, just because.
• Multiple medical plan options, including ones with zero deductible or premium for employees.
• Generous 401(k) with immediate vesting—because your future matters now.
• Exciting bonus opportunities, from profit sharing to quarterly awards and President’s Club recognition.
• A culture of collaboration, connection, and fun, with regular team activities that go beyond the work.

Equal Opportunity Matters

Intelliforce-IT Solutions Group, LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.

Need accommodations during the application process? We’re happy to help. Reach out to us at [e-mail] with your specific request.