Lead Systems Engineer

Company Overview

At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation. www.validatek.com

Summary

 

We are seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer to support a Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Cyber Program. The ideal candidate will oversee the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of our Linux-based systems and infrastructure. This technical leader will guide a team of systems engineers and collaborate across IT, DevOps, security, and application teams to ensure reliable, secure, and high-performing platforms that meet business and mission-critical needs. Primary place of performance will be Ft. Meade where an on-site presence is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, deployment, and support of complex Linux systems (e.g., Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu) across development, test, and production environments.

• Manage and mentor a team of Linux engineers, providing technical guidance, code reviews, and performance feedback.

• Develop and maintain automation scripts and configuration management using tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or SaltStack.

• Ensure system integrity through proactive monitoring, log analysis, patch management, and capacity planning.

• Lead the implementation of system security measures in accordance with DoD STIGs or organizational security standards.

• Troubleshoot complex system-level issues, ensuring timely resolution of outages and performance problems.

• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support vulnerability assessments and incident response.

• Interface with cloud teams and participate in migration or hybrid cloud initiatives (e.g., AWS, Azure, OpenStack).

• Maintain accurate documentation including system configurations, standard operating procedures, and disaster recovery plans.

• Stay current with evolving technologies and recommend enhancements to improve system performance, reliability, and scalability.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance - required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 8+ years of experience in Linux systems engineering, including at least 2 years in a leadership or senior technical role.

• Experience in Windows systems engineering,

• Expert-level proficiency with Linux operating systems and shell scripting (Bash, Python, etc.).

• Experience with automation and configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, etc.).

• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewalls).

• Experience managing virtualized environments (VMware, KVM) and storage technologies (NFS, SAN).

• Working knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and compliance standards (e.g., NIST, DISA STIGs).

• Excellent troubleshooting skills and the ability to lead incident resolution efforts.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• ITIL certification – preferred.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification - required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Linux certifications such as RHCE, RHCSA, LPIC-2, or LFCE.

• Experience in DoD or government IT environments.

• Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.

• Experience with containers (Docker, Podman) and orchestration tools (Kubernetes).

• Exposure to hybrid or public cloud environments.

 

Posted Min Pay Rate

USD $135,000.00/Yr.

Posted Max Pay Rate

USD $170,000.00/Yr.

Salary Disclosure

Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications. The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.

EEO Statement

ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States. Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.