Systems Engineer

Base-2 Solutions

$90K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in systems engineering or a related field.
  • Proficiency in operating systems: Linux, Windows Server, Unix, and macOS.
  • Experience with virtualization and cloud platforms (e.g., VMware, AWS, Azure).
  • Strong knowledge of networking protocols and hardware.
  • Proficient in automation and scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks (NIST SP 800-53, DoD STIGs).
  • Security certifications (CISSP, Security+) and technical certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Cisco CCNA) preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, integrate, and maintain complex systems for national defense.
  • Conduct architecture analysis and trade studies for optimal system solutions.
  • Gather, decompose, and trace requirements throughout system lifecycle.
  • Perform integration, testing, verification, and validation of systems.
  • Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders for interoperability and compliance.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve performance and reliability issues of systems.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive system documentation.

Benefits

  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents.
  • Generous 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and significant company contributions.
  • Flexible paid time off policy with up to 20 days off plus 11 holidays.
  • Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D insurance.
  • Flexible work schedules to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
  • Requisition ID: 3129
  • Standard Title:
  • Required Security Clearance: Top Secret/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
  • Location: Annapolis Junction, MD
  • Work Type: On-Site
  • Shift: First
  • Referral Eligibility: Eligible
  • U.S. Citizenship Required? Yes


Position Summary

Our Systems Engineers are key contributors to the design, integration, and maintenance of complex systems supporting critical national defense and intelligence missions. We are looking for individuals with strong technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and a collaborative mindset to drive the success of system development lifecycles from concept to deployment. Ideal candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment, working across multiple domains such as networking, cloud, security, and systems architecture.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Designs, develops, integrates, and maintains complex systems, ensuring they meet both technical requirements and customer needs.
  • Conducts system architecture analysis, modeling, and trade studies to determine optimal solutions.
  • Supports requirements gathering, decomposition, and traceability throughout the system lifecycle.
  • Performs systems integration, testing, verification, and validation activities.
  • Collaborates closely with software engineers, network engineers, security teams, and stakeholders to ensure system interoperability and compliance.
  • Troubleshoots and resolves system-level issues related to performance, scalability, and reliability.
  • Develops and maintains system documentation, including design documents, interface control documents (ICDs), and operational procedures.
  • Provides input to risk assessments, mitigations, and contingency plans.
  • Supports deployment and sustainment activities, including patch management, upgrades, and system monitoring.
  • Ensures systems meet cybersecurity and compliance standards, collaborating with ISSOs and ISSEs as needed.
Required Qualifications
  • Experience with operating systems including Linux (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu), Windows Server, Unix, and macOS.
  • Experience with virtualization platforms such as VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM.
  • Experience with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Knowledge of networking protocols and hardware including TCP/IP, DNS, VPN, VLANs, firewalls, routers, and switches.
  • Experience with system monitoring and management tools such as Splunk, SolarWinds, Nagios, and Zabbix.
  • Experience with configuration management tools including Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and SaltStack.
  • Experience with infrastructure automation and scripting using Python, Bash, and PowerShell.
  • Familiarity with system design methodologies and documentation including use case diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and system block diagrams.
  • Knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, RMF, DoD STIGs, and FedRAMP.
  • Experience with backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
  • Experience with collaboration tools such as JIRA, Confluence, and ServiceNow.
  • Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and integration with cloud and on-premises environments.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Security Certifications such as CISSP and Security+.
  • Technical Certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, VMware VCP, Cisco CCNA/CCNP.
Required Education and Experience Equivalency
  • None specified.
Required Certifications
  • CISSP
  • Security+
  • AWS Solutions Architect
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect
  • VMware VCP
  • Cisco CCNA
  • Cisco CCNP
Required Security Clearance
  • Active Top Secret/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph


Pay & Benefit Highlights
Compensation
  • Competitive fixed salary or hourly pay (based on experience, skills, location, and internal equity).
  • Employee referral bonuses up to $10,000 per hired referral.
  • Additional bonus opportunities for exceptional performance and contributions to business development and company growth (role-dependent).
Health
  • 100% company-paid medical premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
  • Choose from multiple plan options with CareFirst, Kaiser, and UnitedHealthcare, including PPO, POS, HMO, and HSA-compatible plans.
  • 100% company-paid dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
  • 100% company-paid vision premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
Income Protection
  • 100% company-paid premiums for short-term disability.
  • 100% company-paid premiums for long-term disability.
  • 100% company-paid premiums for accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D).
  • 100% company-paid premiums for life insurance up to $200,000.
Retirement
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting: 4% company match plus a 4% non-elective company contribution (8% total).
  • 401(k) pre-tax and Roth options.
Leave
  • Up to 20 days of flexible paid time off (PTO).
  • 11 paid floating holidays.
Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible work schedules, including flex time and compressed work periods (contract and project-dependent).

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