Senior Systems Engineer (Production Support)

Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG)•Des Moines, IA

3d•$85,389 - $116,975•Remote

About The Position

Syms Strategic Group is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to provide production support for complex application cloud systems supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a full-time, 100% U.S.-based remote position. The role involves operational support, troubleshooting and recovery of production systems, infrastructure maintenance, user support, system documentation, and compliance with VA standards and security policies. The salary range is $85,389–$116,975. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI). Candidates located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington will not be considered. The role requires 8+ years of systems engineering or related experience, particularly in production environments, and 3+ years of SQL query and monitoring experience. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in systems engineering or a related field, particularly in production environments.
At least 3 years of experience with SQL query and monitoring.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Experience with AWS and/or Azure Cloud, including S3, Step Functions, Batch Jobs, and CloudWatch.
Proven track record managing and maintaining large-scale production systems.
Strong proficiency in Linux/Unix and Windows operating systems.
Experience with system administration, including user management, permissions, and system monitoring.
Proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell scripting for automation and configuration management.
Experience with automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or SaltStack.
Knowledge of cloud-native technologies and infrastructure-as-code tools such as CloudFormation.
Experience with monitoring tools such as Dynatrace, ScienceLogic, and CloudWatch.
Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance and reliability.
Understanding of network protocols, firewall configurations, and VPN setup.
Experience with network monitoring and diagnostic tools.
Experience applying secure best practices to production systems, implementing security measures, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Working knowledge of database systems such as AWS RDS SQL Server and Oracle RDBMS/RDS.
Knowledge of database performance tuning and backup and recovery processes.
Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and familiarity with Git and CI/CD tools such as GitHub Actions, AWS CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot complex system issues.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
Strong attention to detail to ensure system stability and data integrity.
Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and processes.
Strong documentation skills for maintaining system configurations, processes, and procedures.
Ability to manage and contribute to multiple projects, ensuring timely completion and quality results.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI).
Must be able to meet government investigation and security eligibility requirements.
Applicants must provide resume-supported answers to mandatory screening questions; third-party recruiters or applicants will not be considered.
Applicants must provide a link to their LinkedIn profile as part of the screening process.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) X.12 medical claims, including claim formats such as 837, 834, and 277.
Advanced certifications in relevant areas, such as Red Hat Certified Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect.

Responsibilities

Perform high-level, day-to-day operational support of complex application cloud systems.
Develop solutions to routine technical problems of limited scope, following standard practices and procedures.
Detect, isolate, document, report, and resolve system outages or problems, including collecting diagnostic data, restoring system operation, and developing workarounds.
Document problems in logging and discrepancy reporting tools.
Work directly with the customer in day-to-day activities.
Respond to user calls about hardware and software problems and resolve or escalate issues as needed.
Communicate the status of key problems to users and senior management.
Perform maintenance and installation of computing infrastructure.
Implement continuous improvement methodologies through IT systems or procedures.
Maintain an inventory of system assets.
Ensure compliance with VA standards and security policies.
Provide documentation and training, and perform additional duties as assigned.
Be available for on-call production system support as required.
Collaborate with development, operations, and security teams to ensure seamless production system operations.