Systems Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Location: Herndon, VA Employment Type: Full-Time Clearance: TS/SCI Poly Position Overview We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on Systems Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support a complex technical environment in Herndon, Virginia. This position is ideal for a senior technical leader with broad, practical expertise across enterprise infrastructure, cloud platforms, networking, operating systems, containers, databases, applications, security, and DevSecOps . The Systems Engineering SME will assess current-state environments, develop future-state architectures, and lead complex implementations and modernization efforts from design through production. This individual will serve as a technical authority and escalation point while working closely with infrastructure, platform, software, DevOps, security, and data teams. Key Responsibilities • Perform full-stack systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and application environments. • Assess and document existing "as-is" architectures and develop detailed "to-be" architectures . • Develop implementation, migration, modernization, and upgrade strategies. • Lead complex cloud, hybrid, and on-premises implementations and migrations . • Design systems for availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance. • Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps/DevSecOps and CI/CD pipelines . • Troubleshoot complex technical issues spanning multiple infrastructure and application domains. • Collaborate with infrastructure, platform, software engineering, DevOps, security, and data teams. • Develop technical documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, implementation plans, and operational runbooks. • Serve as a senior escalation point and technical authority for complex system issues and architectural decisions. • Communicate technical concepts, risks, recommendations, and strategies to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, including executive leadership. Required Skills & Experience Candidates should possess extensive hands-on systems engineering experience across several of the following areas: Infrastructure & Networking • Enterprise networking • Firewalls, load balancers, and DNS • SAN, NAS, and object storage • Hybrid and on-premises infrastructure integration Cloud & Containers • AWS, Azure, and/or GCP • Cloud networking and security • Cloud cost optimization • Kubernetes • Docker • Hybrid cloud architectures Linux & Systems Administration • Linux administration, particularly RHEL/CentOS • Operating system hardening • System automation • PKI and identity management Databases & Application Infrastructure • Relational and NoSQL database technologies, including experience with platforms such as: • Oracle • PostgreSQL • MySQL • SQL Server • MongoDB • Cassandra • DynamoDB • Redis • APIs and web services • Middleware technologies • Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) fundamentals • Event messaging technologies such as SQS, SNS, and RabbitMQ Infrastructure as Code & Automation • Terraform • Ansible • CloudFormation • Python • Bash • PowerShell DevOps / DevSecOps • CI/CD concepts and implementation • Jenkins • GitLab CI/CD • GitHub Actions • ArgoCD • Integration of systems and platforms into DevOps/DevSecOps workflows Security & Observability • Security best practices and system hardening • Monitoring, logging, and observability technologies such as: • Prometheus • Grafana • Splunk • ELK • CloudWatch Architecture & Technical Leadership • Demonstrated ability to assess complex production environments and create comprehensive as-is and to-be architectures . • Experience developing detailed implementation and migration plans. • Ability to move between high-level architecture and hands-on technical implementation. • Proven ability to design, build, troubleshoot, and take ownership of complex production systems. • Strong systems-thinking and problem-solving abilities. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to collaborate across technical disciplines and communicate effectively with executive-level stakeholders. Desired Qualifications • Experience designing or supporting Zero Trust architectures . • Exposure to AI/ML or data platforms . • Experience with big data technologies such as: • Hadoop • Databricks • Snowflake • BigQuery • Experience supporting mission-critical systems and environments . • ITIL and/or Agile delivery experience. • Relevant cloud, security, DevOps, or architecture certifications, such as: • AWS Solutions Architect • AWS DevOps • Azure Administrator • CKA / CKAD • ITIL Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is not solely an architect or administrator, but a hands-on technical SME who can operate across the entire technology stack. They should be equally comfortable developing an enterprise architecture, working through a difficult production issue, planning a cloud migration, automating infrastructure, and communicating technical recommendations to senior leadership. This position is well suited for an experienced Systems Engineer or Architect who enjoys solving complex, cross-domain technical challenges and taking ownership of systems from architecture and design through implementation and production operations . Benefits This position offers a highly competitive, employer-supported benefits package, including: • 5 weeks of PTO plus birthday leave • 11 floating holidays • 401(k) with 10% employer contribution • Multiple medical plan options through Anthem , including: • Platinum PPO national plan • Gold PPO national plan • Gold HMO HSA national plan • Employer-paid dental coverage through Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier • Employer-paid vision coverage through VSP / DeltaVision • Employer-paid Life and AD&D coverage at 2x salary, up to $400,000 • Optional voluntary Life and AD&D coverage from $10,000 to $500,000, not to exceed 5x salary • Employer-paid Short-Term Disability , covering 60% of salary up to $2,500 • Employer-paid Long-Term Disability , covering 60% of salary up to $10,000 per month • Health Savings Account availability, depending on selected health plan • $1,000 annual Lifestyle Savings Account • $5,000 annual professional development reimbursement for degrees, training, and certifications • $1,000 annual technology reimbursement • Candidate referral bonus program, up to $10,000 • Discretionary profit sharing • Discretionary performance bonus opportunities • New contract bonus opportunities, up to $10,000 • Employer-paid access to online training through Udemy and Paylocity • Optional pet insurance through Pets Best • Access to Working Advantage employee discounts and rewards programs at no cost About the Opportunity This is an excellent opportunity for a Full Stack Software Developer with strong cloud, data analytics, and application development experience to support high-impact mission work. The selected candidate will contribute to modern, scalable, and secure software solutions that improve data processing, analytics, search, automation, and enterprise digital architecture across a mission-critical environment.