Linux Systems Engineer

mcfa•Middle River, MD

8d•$110,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

MCFA is partnering with a defense research organization to hire a Linux Systems Engineer supporting intelligent robotics research. The role focuses on administering and engineering Linux systems that support robotics integration, simulation, data handling, and experimentation across lab and field environments. The engineer will help integrate software and hardware for proof-of-concept demonstrations and evaluate autonomous behaviors on individual robots and teams of ground and aerial platforms. The position is based in Middle River, Maryland, with a hybrid schedule requiring three days per week on-site, plus additional on-site presence for projects, experimentation, and testing events. Work may occasionally take place outdoors in varying terrain and weather. Travel is expected two to three times per year for up to two weeks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, systems administration, computer science, or a related technical field.
Three to five years of Linux systems administration or systems engineering experience.
U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. SECRET clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
DoD 8140-aligned certification, at minimum CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent; legacy DoD 8570 IAT II is acceptable. Alternatively, the certification must be obtainable within three months of starting.
Hands-on Linux administration experience with Ubuntu and/or RHEL, including package, user, and service management, storage, shell scripting, and troubleshooting.
Experience deploying software with Docker or Podman containers and orchestrating with Kubernetes.
Familiarity with configuration management and automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
Experience supporting HPC access or high-end simulation or AI development systems.
Working knowledge of networked Linux systems, including TCP/IP, VLANs, VPN/remote access, DNS, firewalls, and troubleshooting tools such as SSH, rsync, journalctl, tcpdump, and Wireshark.
Working understanding of system security standards, including STIGs, CIS benchmarks, patch management, and configuration management.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ROS/ROS 2 environments or Linux hosts used with robotic platforms.
Experience supporting autonomous vehicles, robotic platforms, or field experimentation environments.
Linux+ or RHCSA certification.
Network administration experience.
Strong communication, documentation, and customer-service skills.

Responsibilities

Administer Linux servers, services, and research systems supporting the ROS Enclave, VPG computing environment, virtual test range, and lab and field platforms using Ubuntu and/or RHEL derivatives.
Build, configure, patch, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux hosts used for simulation, data handling, robotics integration, and LVC/hardware-in-the-loop experimentation.
Manage researcher and partner access to prototype environments, including accounts, permissions, storage, and secure data-management processes.
Work with the Network Engineer and ARL researchers to integrate Linux systems with wired, wireless, tactical, and campus test networks.
Support HPC access, data movement, and software transition into the LVC toolkit, including command-line transfer tools, live analytics, and modeling workflows.
Help define computing and HPC capabilities for VPG integration through requirements gathering, trade-space evaluation, and architecture design.
Develop and maintain SOPs, operating policies, user guides, system diagrams, and usage and performance reports.
Provide on-site and remote support for architecture reviews, integration events, demonstrations, and experimentation.