Principal Systems Engineer

Columbia Technology Partners

$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field with 20 years of systems engineering experience, or
  • High School Diploma or GED with 25 years of broad systems engineering experience.
  • Experience with FORNSAT systems and complex systems integration efforts.

Responsibilities

  • Lead engineering, integration, validation, and operational support for RF-enabled and FORNSAT systems.
  • Design and implement enterprise system architectures using Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) technologies.
  • Engineer, deploy, and maintain virtualization platforms for cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Administer and troubleshoot Linux systems for resilience, uptime, and security compliance.
  • Integrate and support GOTS solutions within interconnected system environments.
  • Manage Windows Server operations, focusing on optimization, automation, security, and lifecycle management.
  • Coordinate with teams to ensure system interoperability and operational readiness.

Benefits

  • Three medical plans with in-network and out-of-network options.
  • Free vision and dental insurance, fully paid by CTP.
  • 401k plan with a 6% company contribution.
  • Customizable PTO and leave options including jury duty and military leave.
  • Up to $10,000 for approved career-related education and training.
  • Life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
  • End-of-year profit-sharing bonuses.
  • Tiered referral bonus program ranging from $7,000 to $20,000.
  • Recognized as one of the top 25 best places to work in Baltimore.
Full Job Description
Description:

Principal Systems Engineer to lead the engineering and sustainment of complex, mission-focused enterprise systems. This position delivers senior-level technical authority across FORNSAT environments, RF-enabled solutions, and GOTS-based architectures, supporting highly integrated Linux, virtualization, and multi-domain system infrastructures.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a senior technical lead for the engineering, integration, validation, and operational sustainment of RF-enabled and FORNSAT hardware and software systems.
  • Design and implement enterprise system architectures built on Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) technologies.
  • Engineer, deploy, and maintain virtualization platforms supporting both cloud-hosted and on-premises environments.
  • Perform advanced administration and troubleshooting of Linux systems to ensure system resilience, uptime, and security compliance.
  • Integrate, configure, and support GOTS solutions within large-scale, interconnected system environments.
  • Lead Windows Server operations, including system optimization, automation, security hardening, and lifecycle management.
  • Coordinate with engineering, operations, and mission partners to ensure system interoperability and operational readiness.
  • Establish and maintain technical standards, system documentation, monitoring strategies, and cybersecurity best practices.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering or related technical discipline with twenty (20) years of systems engineering experience; or
  • High School Diploma or GED with twenty-five (25) years of broad systems engineering experience across relevant disciplines.
  • Proven experience supporting FORNSAT systems and executing complex systems integration efforts.


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.
  • Certification Requirements:
    • DOD 8570 Certification

This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

Salary Range Transparency

At Columbia Technology Partners we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. We believe in creating a work environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and rewarded for their contributions.

How We Determine Salary Ranges

Our salary ranges are based on the following key factors:
  • Job Role and Responsibilities: The specific duties and responsibilities associated with each role form the foundation of our compensation structure.
  • Market Research and Industry Benchmarks: We conduct regular analysis of market trends and salaries across our industry, using reliable compensation data to ensure we stay competitive.
  • Experience and Qualifications: An individual's experience, education, certifications, and specialized skills all contribute to determining their position within a salary range.
  • Location: Salary ranges may be adjusted based on geographic cost of living, in accordance with local and national standards.
  • Company Performance: Our compensation practices also take into account overall company performance and financial health, ensuring that we maintain sustainability while rewarding our team.

Really good benefits, for really GREAT people:

From our CTP Family to yours, we know how important these decisions are. Your benefits are about you, not us. Tell us what you need in order to see a future at CTP; lets get where you're going, together.

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.

CTP was voted one of the top 25 best places to work in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine!

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