Senior Systems Engineer

Intelliforce-IT Solutions Group • Columbia, MD

3d • $182,000 - $233,000

About The Position

At Intelliforce, we work on the kinds of infrastructure problems that shape what comes next. In this role, you will help drive research and development around the future of cloud-native architectures, with a focus on Content Delivery Networks and distributed edge systems. You will turn ambitious research goals into scalable, secure, and well-documented architectures that push performance, resilience, and automation forward. This is a strong fit for an engineer who likes deep technical design, distributed systems, and building the bridge between new ideas and real-world implementation.

This role gives you the chance to work at the edge of cloud-native systems research while still staying grounded in practical engineering. You will explore next-generation CDN technologies, edge computing models, traffic routing strategies, and caching approaches, then help translate those ideas into automated deployment patterns, production-grade prototypes, and architectural guidance teams can use. The work blends systems engineering, research, infrastructure automation, and documentation, so your impact will show up in both technical direction and usable outcomes.

At Intelliforce, your work is visible and your technical voice 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 engineering gets noticed. Add in long-term stability, strong benefits, and a people-first culture, and this becomes more than another systems engineering role. It is a chance to help shape the future of cloud-native edge architecture in a mission environment where innovation has real value.

Requirements

• Clearance: Top Secret Clearance with Full Scope Polygraph, must be active. We do not have the ability to sponsor clearances
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. We cannot sponsor visas
• 12 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree
• Four additional years of relevant experience may be substituted in place of a Bachelor’s degree
• Proven experience as a Systems Engineer, Cloud Architect, or similar role focused on highly distributed environments
• Deep understanding of cloud-native ecosystems
• Knowledge of Content Delivery Networks, edge caching, load balancing, DNS, and core networking protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, TLS, and BGP
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and configuration management, especially GitLab and Terraform
• Strong ability to gather complex requirements, model systems, and architect solutions that balance performance, security, and scalability
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to produce clear technical documentation for complex systems

Nice To Haves

• Experience or background in Computer Network Operations
• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and Site Reliability Engineering practices
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts, especially their use in traffic prediction, dynamic routing, or automated remediation

Responsibilities

• Translate high-level research goals into scalable cloud-native system architectures
• Conduct deep technical research into CDN design, edge computing, traffic routing, and caching strategies
• Design and implement automated deployment pipelines and Infrastructure as Code for testbeds and production-grade prototypes
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation for architectures, deployment patterns, and research findings
• Work closely with researchers, software engineers, and network specialists to support distributed systems experimentation
• Help design zero-touch deployment workflows and resilient infrastructure patterns
• Balance performance, security, and scalability across evolving distributed systems designs

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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