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Sr. Systems Engineer II (6891)

Washington, DCOnsiteFull TimeSenior$147,000–$170,000 /yrPosted 10 days ago

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Required skills

  • Top Secret clearance
  • SCI eligibility
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Helm
  • Rancher
  • OpenShift
  • VMware
  • Linux
  • Terraform

Nice to have

  • mission-critical infrastructure
  • on-prem
  • system hardening
  • vulnerability remediation
  • security baselines
  • secure configurations

Role summary

A Sr. Systems Engineer II is sought to design, secure, automate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure and container platforms for a federal customer. This role involves assessing and improving platform health, performance, security, and reliability using expertise in systems engineering, Kubernetes, containerization, DevSecOps, and infrastructure automation. Responsibilities include building and maintaining environments (Kubernetes, Docker, VMware, Linux), automating provisioning and deployments, troubleshooting complex issues, enhancing observability, identifying and remediating technical risks, and applying security best practices. Collaboration with various engineering and cybersecurity teams is essential, as is maintaining technical documentation. The position requires an active Top Secret clearance and is based onsite in the Washington, D.C. area, with occasional on-call duties.

As a Sr. Systems Engineer II, you’ll design, secure, automate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure and container platforms supporting a highly visible federal customer. You’ll leverage your systems engineering, Kubernetes, containerization, DevSecOps, and infrastructure automation experience to improve the reliability, observability, and maintainability of enterprise systems operating in a demanding 24x7 environment.

What you’ll do:

  • Assess and improve the health, performance, security, and reliability of infrastructure and Kubernetes platforms.
  • Build, configure, and maintain Kubernetes, Rancher, Helm, Docker, VMware, and Linux environments.
  • Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration, and deployments using IaC and CI/CD practices.
  • Troubleshoot complex issues across containers, compute, storage, networking, and application-hosting environments.
  • Improve monitoring, logging, alerting, dashboards, and overall platform observability.
  • Identify technical risks, recurring failures, and technical debt, and develop remediation plans.
  • Apply security hardening, vulnerability remediation, least privilege, and DevSecOps best practices.
  • Test, validate, and implement production changes through approved change-management processes.
  • Collaborate across engineering, cybersecurity, networking, storage, database, and application teams.
  • Maintain architecture diagrams, runbooks, SOPs, troubleshooting guides, and recovery documentation.
  • Support knowledge transfer, platform improvements, and occasional after-hours/on-call activities.

    • What you’ll need to succeed:

  • Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
  • 6+ years in systems, platform, DevOps, infrastructure engineering, or systems administration.
  • 3+ years of hands-on Kubernetes/container experience.
  • Strong experience with Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, and Rancher or OpenShift.
  • Experience supporting on-prem, mission-critical infrastructure.
  • Hands-on VMware and Linux administration experience.
  • Infrastructure automation/IaC experience with Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell, Python, or similar.
  • Experience building or supporting CI/CD pipelines in a DevSecOps environment.
  • Strong production troubleshooting across compute, storage, networking, OS, and application layers.
  • Experience with system hardening, vulnerability remediation, security baselines, and secure configurations.
  • Ability to document technical environments and communicate technical risks/recommendations.
  • Ability to work primarily onsite in the Washington, D.C. area and support occasional on-call/nonstandard hours.

    • This position is designated as essential personnel supporting continuity of operations and may require work during government shutdowns, emergencies, or other critical situations.

    SALARY RANGE: $147,000 - $170,000

    The salary range for this position is determined based on qualifications, skills, and relevant experience. The final salary offered will be determined based on several factors including:

  • The candidate's professional background and relevant work experience
  • The specific responsibilities of the role and organizational needs
  • Internal equity and alignment with current team compensation
  • This role is also eligible for additional compensation, subject to the terms and policies of MetroStar, which may include:
  • Performance-based bonuses
  • Company-paid training and/or certifications
  • Referral bonuses

    • Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible for full consideration.

    Additional Compensation: This role may also be eligible for bonuses and/or additional incentives based on individual and company performance.

    Benefits: All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our benefits programs:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • Parental Leave and dependent care
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Employee assistance and wellness programs

    • Like we said, we are big fans of our people. That’s why we offer a generous benefits package, professional growth, and valuable time to recharge. Learn more about our company culture code and benefits. Plus, check out our accolades.

    Commitment to Non-DiscriminationAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

    What we want you to know:

    In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

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