Active TS/SCI w/ FSP required at time of application Location choice between Warrenton and McLean! We are seeking a hands-on Systems Engineer (SME) with deep expertise across infrastructure, platforms, and application ecosystems spanning cloud and on-premises environments. This role requires a proven practitioner who can analyze existing ("as is") systems and applications, document current state architectures, design future-state solutions, and implement systems enhancements or technology transformations end-to-end. The ideal candidate is a technical leader and doer, not just an advisor - someone who can seamlessly collaborate across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, information systems security, and data teams while maintaining ownership of system reliability, performance, scalability, and security. Requirements QUALIFICATIONS · Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related technical discipline, or other related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, training, and work/military experience · Minimum ten (10) years of related systems engineering experience REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience in all the following areas: Infrastructure & Platforms · Enterprise networking (e.g., routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS) · Storage technologies (e.g., SAN, NAS, object storage) · Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker) · Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation) · IdAM - Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ Cloud & On-Prem Technologies · Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP) · Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration · Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization Data & Application Platforms · Relational and NoSQL databases - relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases · Web services, APIs, and middleware · Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals · Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ) Engineering & Automation · Infrastructure as Code - Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation · Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.) · CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD) · Security best practices and systems hardening · Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch Architecture & Design · Ability to create: • As-is architecture documentation • To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs • Implementation and migration plans DESIRED SKILLS · Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing) · Zero Trust and modern security architectures · Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure · Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments · Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture) · Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker) · Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google BigQuery) · Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies · Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD ITIL Foundation KEY RESPONSIBILITIES · Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications · Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures · Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives · Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades · Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements · Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines · Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications · Collaborate effectively with: • Infrastructure & Platforms Engineers • Software Engineers • DevOps / DevSecOps Engineers • Data Engineers (ETL) • Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts · Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks Benefits Leading Path is an award-winning Information Technology and Management Consulting firm focused on providing solutions in process, technology, and operations to our government and Fortune 500 clients. We offer a professional and family friendly work environment with a strong work-life balance. Leading Path provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including fully paid medical/dental/vision premiums, generous PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, 6% 401K contribution, annual training and tuition reimbursement, SPOT Award bonuses, regular team events, opportunities for professional growth and advancement and much more!