Sr. Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Shadowgate Partners' client is seeking a Sr. Systems Engineer to work with ground processing system developers to satisfy evolving mission requirements (e.g. modern communications signals) and ground architecture requirements (e.g. resiliency) for the Tactical Mission Framework (TMF). TMF provides an operationally supported container orchestration environment and edge processing capability at several government sites. TMF enables DevSecOps pipelines for Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery/Deployment and Continuous Operations, driving toward rapid software/hardware updates with reduced transition timelines and cost. • Investigate and implement agile software development and deployment techniques to modernize current systems; e.g. containerize components, Kubernetes orchestration
• Interact with developers and customer within a weekly/monthly/quarterly rhythm to plan and execute agile processes; e.g. define Jira epics and stories, assign story points, assess progress toward objectives
• Perform trade studies and conduct demonstrations to improve architecture resiliency
• Develop prototype tools
• Document system architecture, interfaces, CONOPs, trade study plans and results
• Create Confluence pages that summarize Jira roadmaps, key technical capabilities, and detailed plans Required Skills and Experience To be considered for this position, the candidate must have:
• Familiar with Cloud Native Compute Foundation (CNCF) offerings and how they can be used to facilitate application deployment in on-premises or cloud environments
• Experience with Linux systems usage and administration
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering
• At least 10 years performing technical system engineering tasks and/or software development
• At least 5 years working on programs in the Intelligence Community
• Familiarity with ground processing systems
• Ability and desire to work independently; i.e. adapt tasking to fulfill needs as they evolve
• Proven capability to learn complex systems and perform engineering tasks to improve them Desired Skills and Experience Strong candidates will have one or more of the following:
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering
• Experience with Kubernetes and related containerization technologies and managing clusters (Docker, Helm, k9s)
• Experience and familiarity with DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and infrastructure-as-code (Ansible, Terraform, Puppet)
• Proficiency or experience with at least one scripting/programming language such as Python, Bash, VBA, or Go
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices for cloud-native and on-premises deployments, PKI, container security scanning, and zero-trust principles
• Experience with configuring and monitoring a suite of logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack, OpenSearch)
• Basic understanding of networking fundamentals (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs) and secure communications in distributed computing systems
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to nurture productive relationships with customers
• Strong knowledge of NRO Ground systems
• Expertise in SIGINT tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and/or dissemination
• Strong Jira and Confluence skills; facilitate technical and programmatic information sharing across program and with customer Clearance TS/SCI eligible with the ability to obtain a CI polygraph The company offers a strong total compensation package built around flexibility and long-term security. It contributes an amount equal to 25% of annual salary into an Individual Benefits Account (IBA), which employees can use to cover health, dental, and vision premiums, out-of-pocket medical costs, childcare, and Time Off With Pay (TOWP); any unused balance at year-end is paid out as income the following January. Full-time employees receive 8 weeks (320 hours) of all-inclusive paid time off, covering vacation, holidays, and sick leave, with no mandatory leave policy. An additional 25% of annual salary is contributed to employees' 401(k) retirement accounts, with immediate 100% vesting and no waiting period — meaning a $100,000 base salary translates to roughly $150,000 in total compensation. Beyond these core benefits, employees receive fully company-paid Basic Life, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Identity Theft Insurance, Secure Travel, and Health Advocate services, plus 50% coverage for Cancer Indemnity Insurance, along with optional coverage for Accident Protection, Legal Services, Supplemental Long Term Disability, Supplemental Voluntary Life, and Child Life Insurance. Employees also receive 100% reimbursement for tuition, books, and job-relevant certifications for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs.