LINUX Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Active Top Secret Required
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: LINUX Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Active Top Secret Required
- Company: General Dynamics Information Technology
- Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Job Type: Hybrid (On-site & Remote)
- Category: Systems Engineering
- Date Posted: June 25, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
- Key Responsibilities: Design, deploy, integrate, and maintain Linux technologies within a primary Windows infrastructure. Ensure compliance and integration of Linux systems with enterprise tooling and security standards.
- Key Skills: Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, VMWare management, Active Directory, PKI certificates, Single Sign On, automation, compliance, security standards, log management, research and development, self-starter, integration, digital modernization.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in Linux systems engineering, with a focus on integrating Linux systems into a primary Windows environment. Candidates should have experience with RHEL and Ubuntu, as well as familiarity with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Enterprise Authorization: Integrate Linux systems (currently, RHEL 7/8 and Ubuntu systems) into a primary Windows environment where authentication, authorization, and accounting activities are controlled by Active Directory with PKI certificates and Single Sign On.
- Enterprise Provisioning: Configure new Linux systems for customer use, ensuring initial configurations meet required enterprise baselines and controls (e.g., proper agents installed, proper configurations, etc.).
- Integration with Enterprise Tooling: Integrate Linux systems with other enterprise tooling such as ACAS, Splunk, SolarWinds, backup systems, etc.
- Patch Management: Ensure patches are maintained across a diverse Linux environment in a heavily automated manner, where possible.
- Compliance Management: Ensure that already-provisioned Linux systems are kept in compliance with baseline requirements and ever-changing enterprise policy (e.g., equivalent to Group Policy in the Windows realm for ongoing compliance updates).
- Operating System Lifecycle Plan: Develop an operating system lifecycle plan with integration of DoD STIGs and other recommended security standards.
- Alerting and Log Management: Monitor all solutions integrated via a centralized alerting system and certify log management and forwarding to a single repository.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a deep understanding of Linux systems engineering, with a focus on integrating Linux systems into a primary Windows environment. Candidates should have experience with RHEL and Ubuntu, as well as familiarity with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technology field. Experience may be substituted for education.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience supporting complex projects.
Required Technical Experience: VMWare management/administration experience. Relevant experience can be substituted for education. Thorough experience preferably with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, or a derivative. Candidate will be required to acquire DoD Instruction 8570 Level II Certification within 6 months of assignment.
Required Skills and Abilities: Highly motivated, self-starter; ability to work alone (90% of work is individual); heavy research and development when necessary.
Security Clearance Level: Active Top Secret
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate experience with Linux systems engineering, focusing on integration with Windows environments.
- Showcase projects that highlight your ability to configure and manage Linux systems, as well as integrate them with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
- Include examples of your experience with RHEL and Ubuntu, as well as your ability to manage and maintain Linux systems in a heavily automated manner.
Technical Documentation:
- Provide documentation that demonstrates your understanding of Linux systems engineering, including your experience with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
- Include examples of your ability to develop and maintain operating system lifecycle plans, as well as your experience with log management and alerting systems.
📝 Enhancement Note: While a portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, providing examples of your Linux systems engineering experience can help demonstrate your qualifications and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $182,873 - $247,417 per year. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, and the actual salary will be set based on experience, geographic location, and possibly contractual requirements.
Benefits:
- 401K with company match
- Comprehensive health and wellness packages
- Paid education and certifications
- Paid vacation and holidays
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: GDIT is a global technology and professional services company that delivers consulting, technology, and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense, and intelligence community.
Company Size: GDIT has approximately 30,000 employees worldwide.
Founded: GDIT was founded in 2008 and is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation.
Team Structure:
- The Linux systems engineering team is responsible for designing, deploying, integrating, and maintaining Linux technologies within a primary Windows infrastructure.
- The team works closely with other engineering teams, as well as with stakeholders from various departments, to ensure the successful integration and management of Linux systems within the enterprise environment.
Development Methodology:
- GDIT follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration and delivery.
- The team uses version control systems, such as Git, to manage and track changes to the codebase.
- GDIT employs automated testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and performance of its Linux systems.
Company Website: www.gdit.com
📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. The company values its employees' professional growth and offers extensive training and development opportunities.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Senior Principal Systems Engineer roles are typically senior-level positions that require a significant amount of experience and expertise in Linux systems engineering. These roles are responsible for designing, deploying, integrating, and maintaining complex Linux systems within an enterprise environment.
Reporting Structure: Senior Principal Systems Engineers typically report directly to a Senior Manager or Director of Systems Engineering.
Technical Impact: Senior Principal Systems Engineers have a significant impact on the performance, security, and reliability of Linux systems within the enterprise environment. Their work helps ensure that Linux systems are integrated and managed effectively, enabling the successful delivery of mission-critical applications and services.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Growth: Senior Principal Systems Engineers have the opportunity to develop their technical skills and expertise by working on complex projects and collaborating with other engineering teams.
- Leadership Development: As a senior-level role, Senior Principal Systems Engineers have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and take on more responsibilities within the team or across the organization.
- Architecture Decisions: Senior Principal Systems Engineers are often involved in making critical architecture decisions that impact the design and deployment of Linux systems within the enterprise environment.
📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT offers numerous opportunities for technical and leadership growth, as well as the chance to work on cutting-edge projects and collaborate with experienced professionals.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: GDIT's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces that encourage innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): GDIT has offices in various locations across the United States and internationally. The specific office location for this role is Washington, District of Columbia.
Workspace Context:
- GDIT provides its employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed, including high-quality workstations, multiple monitors, and testing devices.
- The company fosters a collaborative work environment, with a focus on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
- GDIT's offices are designed to facilitate cross-functional collaboration between engineering teams, as well as with stakeholders from various departments.
Work Schedule: GDIT offers flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote work options, to accommodate its employees' needs and preferences.
📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's work environment is designed to be flexible and collaborative, with a focus on supporting the needs and preferences of its employees.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Technical Preparation: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with Linux systems engineering, as well as their familiarity with enterprise-level tools and security standards. They should also be ready to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and their ability to work independently.
- Enterprise Authorization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with integrating Linux systems into a primary Windows environment, as well as their understanding of enterprise-level tools and security standards.
- Enterprise Provisioning: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with configuring and managing Linux systems, as well as their ability to ensure that initial configurations meet required enterprise baselines and controls.
- Final Evaluation: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their technical skills and experience, as well as their fit with GDIT's company culture and values.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience with Linux systems engineering, focusing on integration with Windows environments.
- Include examples of your ability to configure and manage Linux systems, as well as integrate them with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
- Showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to work independently.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your Linux systems engineering skills, with a focus on integration with Windows environments.
- Familiarize yourself with enterprise-level tools and security standards, such as Active Directory, PKI certificates, and Single Sign On.
- Prepare for technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to work independently.
ATS Keywords: Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, VMWare, Active Directory, PKI, Single Sign On, automation, compliance, security standards, log management, research and development, self-starter, integration, digital modernization, enterprise authorization, enterprise provisioning, patch management, operating system lifecycle plan, alerting, log management, problem-solving, independent work, technical interview, portfolio review, technical challenge.
📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills and experience, as well as their fit with the company's culture and values. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with Linux systems engineering, as well as their familiarity with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Linux role at GDIT:
- Customize Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience with Linux systems engineering, focusing on integration with Windows environments. Include examples of your ability to configure and manage Linux systems, as well as integrate them with enterprise-level tools and security standards.
- Optimize Your Resume: Emphasize your experience with Linux systems engineering, as well as your familiarity with enterprise-level tools and security standards. Highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work independently.
- Prepare for Technical Interview: Brush up on your Linux systems engineering skills, with a focus on integration with Windows environments. Familiarize yourself with enterprise-level tools and security standards, such as Active Directory, PKI certificates, and Single Sign On. Prepare for technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to work independently.
- Research GDIT: Familiarize yourself with GDIT's company culture, values, and mission. Understand the company's focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, as well as its commitment to supporting the professional growth of its employees.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and a BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Active Top Secret clearance is required, and candidates must acquire DoD Instruction 8570 Level II Certification within 6 months of assignment.