Systems Engineer 3

Columbia Technology Partners • Annapolis Junction, MD

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Systems Engineer functions as a senior technical authority responsible for architecting, integrating, and sustaining large-scale, packet-based hardware and software systems in secure, mission-critical environments. This role leads end-to-end system lifecycle activities leveraging COTS and GOTS technologies to support high-throughput analytic platforms, including XKEYSCORE and comparable distributed processing systems. The position provides advanced technical leadership across integration, automation, performance optimization, and operational sustainment while ensuring compliance with classified system standards.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants.
• CTP is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.
• All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
• DOD 8570 Certification
• This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience supporting programs of comparable size, scope, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline; five (5) additional years of relevant Systems Engineering experience may substitute for a degree.
• Demonstrated experience integrating, sustaining, or supporting large-scale analytic, SIGINT, or mission processing systems (e.g., XKEYSCORE or equivalent) in high-availability, secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Architect, integrate, test, deploy, and sustain packet-based hardware and software systems utilizing COTS and GOTS solutions in large-scale distributed environments supporting XKEYSCORE or similar mission platforms.
• Lead end-to-end systems integration across compute, storage, network, and software components to ensure interoperability, scalability, resilience, and optimized analytic performance.
• Develop and execute system integration, validation, verification, and deployment strategies to ensure operational readiness and compliance with technical and mission requirements.
• Design, maintain, and enhance BASH and PERL automation scripts to support system provisioning, configuration management, and lifecycle maintenance of core servers and clustered computing environments.
• Drive automation initiatives and process improvements to improve system reliability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability across distributed infrastructures.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership and advanced troubleshooting support, including system upgrades, patching, performance tuning, and lifecycle sustainment in operational settings.
• Deliver technical training and mentorship to administrators, operators, and engineering teams while enforcing security, compliance, and configuration management requirements for classified systems.

Benefits

• Medical: CTP offers 3 superior plans, bringing our employees both in-network and out-of-network options.
• Vision + Dental: Both free to you + paid in full by CTP.
• Retirement: 401k - 6% company contribution
• PTO + Leave: A work life balance is extremely important to our team here at CTP, which is why our paid time off plans are so lucrative. Offering customizable leave plans to meet your needs is just one of our many perks! Jury Duty, Bereavement + Military Leave provided.
• Career Growth: Up to $10,000 provided for approved career-related learning, training, education, and/or tuition.
• Life and AD&D Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: More peace of mind, at zero cost to you.
• Profit Sharing Bonus: End of year cash gets added to your bottom-line.
• Referral Bonus Program: Our tiered program provides an incentive with each stage of the hiring process your referral passes. Our bonuses range from $7,000-$20,000, if your referral joins the team.

What This Job Offers

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