Operational Systems Engineer (Full Performance)

Volume Integration • Chantilly, VA

8d • $115,453 - $147,077

About The Position

As an Operational Systems Engineer (Full Performance) in Chantilly, Virginia, you will contribute to the development and sustainment of a cross-platform software test automation system supporting critical mission requirements. The role spans application development, infrastructure automation, and virtualization to enhance the existing DART platform and expand its support for diverse testing environments. You will use technologies including Python, C++, REST APIs, Docker, Ansible, and Terraform to develop automation services, integrate DevOps capabilities, and support legacy workloads and emerging AI-enabled development initiatives.

The position involves solving complex technical challenges across Linux and Windows environments and building practical solutions to improve software testing and delivery. You will manage projects from requirements gathering and design through implementation, testing, and documentation, working independently with minimal supervision and collaborating with engineers, colleagues, and mission partners.

The position requires TS/SCI with an FSP. Many positions require the ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. The stated salary range is $115,453 to $147,077; final compensation depends on qualifications, experience, location, and contractual considerations and may fall outside the range. The company states that it offers a benefits package designed to support employees and their families, without specifying individual benefits in the posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant technical experience supporting software engineering, systems engineering, test automation, or related technical initiatives.
• At least 5 years of Python programming experience and strong knowledge of C++ for developing software applications.
• At least 5 years of experience designing, architecting, and developing enterprise-scale applications.
• At least 5 years of experience developing operating-system-agnostic platforms or applications supporting Linux and Windows environments and diverse testing targets.
• Hands-on experience automating and managing multiple hypervisor platforms, including VMware and KVM, for complex, scalable, and highly customized environments.
• Understanding of DevOps principles, Docker containerization, and CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and software deployment.
• Experience developing end-to-end automation solutions, including automated resource allocation or scaling.
• Working knowledge of authentication and authorization standards such as OAuth, JWT, and OpenID Connect.
• Strong understanding of SQL Server, including database administration or performance optimization, and/or experience with MongoDB for NoSQL storage.
• Familiarity with infrastructure and application integration, system configuration, and software testing practices.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills, including the ability to adapt to emerging issues, changing priorities, and short deadlines.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and maintain awareness of evolving software engineering and infrastructure practices.
• Ability to meet the position clearance requirement of TS/SCI with an FSP.

Nice To Haves

• Programming experience in additional languages such as Go or Rust, or advanced C++ development for low-level system and hypervisor interactions.
• At least 5 years of experience with C# and .NET Core for application development.
• Experience automating and managing multiple hypervisor platforms, including Harvester, for complex and customized testing environments.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and/or Helm to manage, provision, and version-control virtualized infrastructure and configurations.
• Experience with Kubernetes for container orchestration.
• Experience supporting on-premises and cloud-based deployment technologies and automation workflows.
• Knowledge of Linux and Windows kernels and kernel drivers, particularly for deep-level application and hardware compatibility testing.
• Experience managing large-scale remote workstation clusters, emphasizing high availability, low latency, and scalable resource utilization.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools that improve software development productivity and automation.
• Experience integrating machine learning models into software applications.
• Understanding of event-driven architecture principles and their use in scalable systems.
• Experience with Elasticsearch for log management and search, or familiarity with open-source ELK Stack technologies.
• Experience developing and documenting standard operating procedures for systems, networks, or technical platforms.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments while adapting to evolving requirements.
• Self-starter mindset, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and interest in exploring and adopting new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain IT systems and software capabilities that support mission network operations and end users.
• Enhance and extend the DART software test automation platform through application-layer development, integration, and operational sustainment.
• Develop applications and automation services using Python and C++ for cross-platform testing and infrastructure management.
• Implement and maintain application interfaces, including RESTful APIs with Swagger documentation, and support Python bindings and legacy integrations.
• Integrate Infrastructure as Code technologies such as Ansible and Terraform with DevOps tools including Bamboo, Bitbucket, Confluence, and Jira.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, and management of virtualized testing environments across VMware, KVM, Proxmox, physical hardware, and other hypervisor platforms.
• Evaluate technology options, assess implementation tradeoffs, and recommend solutions that meet scalability, compatibility, and operational requirements.
• Develop end-to-end automation workflows, including automated resource allocation and scaling across customized testing environments.
• Support containerized applications and automated testing and deployment using Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and modern DevOps practices.
• Apply knowledge of network operations and the OSI model, particularly Layers 1–4, to support system integration, connectivity, and troubleshooting.
• Implement and maintain application authentication and authorization using standards such as OAuth, JWT, and OpenID Connect.
• Design, integrate, and optimize data storage solutions using SQL Server and/or MongoDB, considering performance, reliability, and application requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve system efficiency, expand automation, and support established workloads and AI-enabled software development efforts.
• Document technical designs, deployment procedures, test plans, system configurations, and operational processes.
• Collaborate with engineers, colleagues, and mission partners to communicate technical approaches, explain tool functionality, and coordinate implementation and operational activities.
• Manage assigned projects from requirements gathering and design through implementation, testing, and final documentation, working independently with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• The company states that it offers a benefits package designed to support employees and their families; specific benefits are not listed in the job description.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior