Systems Engineer

Agile Defense
Full_timeQuantico Base, United States

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Systems Engineer
  • Company: Agile Defense
  • Location: Quantico Base, Virginia, United States
  • Job Type: On-site
  • Category: Systems Engineer
  • Date Posted: 2025-06-11
  • Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
  • Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Key Responsibilities: Design, implement, and maintain secure, high-availability systems for a federal law enforcement program. This role involves hands-on engineering, integration, deployment, testing, and maintenance of infrastructure and software environments.
  • Key Technologies: Systems Engineering, Infrastructure Support, Virtualization, Scripting, Windows Server, SQL Server, Firewalls, Active Directory, DNS, VMware, HyperV, Oracle, Technical Documentation, Security Compliance, Stakeholder Support, Automation

💻 Primary Responsibilities

🛠️ Infrastructure & Systems Engineering

  • Design, configure, and maintain infrastructure components including firewalls, switches, Active Directory (AD), and DNS.
  • Support and manage virtual environments using VMware, HyperV, or Oracle virtualization technologies.
  • Install, configure, upgrade, and migrate Windows Server and SQL Server software.
  • Participate in the design and delivery of information and operational support systems.

📝 Scripting & Automation

  • Leverage scripting to automate tasks, enhance efficiency, and support system management across the enterprise.
  • Write clean, effective scripts using Python, PowerShell, Ruby, Perl, or similar languages.

🔒 Security & Compliance Review

  • Ensure system and network designs meet evolving security standards and technical requirements.
  • Review and provide recommendations on proposed network and system designs to ensure compliance with security policies.
  • Assist in designing secure system configurations when needed.

🤝 Liaison & Stakeholder Support

  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor and communication bridge between stakeholders, administrators, and engineering teams.
  • Liaise with hardware/software support teams, stakeholders, and end users to support integration and troubleshooting.
  • Review deliverables and provide technical feedback and approval recommendations.
  • Attend local meetings and relevant conferences as required.
  • Prepare and deliver technical briefings and presentations within established deadlines.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

📚 Education

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline)

🕒 Experience

  • A minimum of 4 years of experience in systems engineering, including infrastructure and virtualization support

🛠️ Required Skills

  • Proven experience with firewalls, switches, Active Directory, and DNS
  • Proficiency in virtualization platforms (VMware, HyperV, Oracle)
  • Strong background in Windows Server and SQL Server administration
  • Demonstrated scripting skills in Python, PowerShell, or equivalent languages
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to provide consultative technical guidance

🏆 Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with Jira implementation
  • Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), or VMware Data Center Virtualization

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

  • Portfolio Essentials:

    • Detailed documentation of infrastructure and systems engineering projects, highlighting your role and the technologies used
    • Examples of scripting and automation tasks, demonstrating your ability to streamline processes and enhance efficiency
    • Case studies showcasing your involvement in security and compliance reviews, with a focus on meeting evolving security standards and technical requirements
    • Evidence of successful stakeholder communication and collaboration, including technical briefings and presentations
  • Technical Documentation:

    • Well-structured and well-commented code, demonstrating your attention to detail and commitment to best practices
    • Version control systems and deployment processes, showcasing your ability to manage and maintain software environments
    • Testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques, highlighting your commitment to quality and continuous improvement

💵 Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on market research for mid-level systems engineers in the Virginia area)

    • 📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on industry standards for mid-level systems engineers in the Virginia area. Actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
  • Benefits:

    • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
    • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
    • Generous paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
    • Employee assistance program
    • Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
    • Competitive salary and bonus structure
  • Working Hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday, with some flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

  • Industry: Agile Defense operates in the defense and national security sector, focusing on adaptive innovation and mission-critical support.

  • Company Size: Medium-sized, with a dynamic Project Management Office (PMO) environment

  • Founded: 2007, with a strong focus on agility, innovation, and continuous improvement

  • Team Structure:

    • A dedicated and collaborative team of systems engineers, working closely with hardware/software support teams, stakeholders, and end users
    • A flat reporting structure, encouraging open communication and cross-functional collaboration
    • A strong emphasis on technical mentoring, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning
  • Development Methodology:

    • Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban, to support iterative development and rapid response to changing requirements
    • A focus on code review, testing, and quality assurance practices to ensure high-quality deliverables
    • CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment strategies to streamline software delivery and maintenance
  • Company Website: Agile Defense

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

  • Web Technology Career Level: Mid-level Systems Engineer, responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure, high-availability systems for a federal law enforcement program.

  • Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Project Manager, working closely with hardware/software support teams, stakeholders, and end users.

  • Technical Impact: Plays a critical role in ensuring the availability, performance, and security of mission-critical systems, directly enabling national criminal justice operations.

  • Growth Opportunities:

    • Technical Growth: Expand expertise in emerging technologies, scripting languages, and cloud-based infrastructure solutions.
    • Leadership Development: Develop technical leadership skills through mentoring, team management, and architecture decision-making.
    • Career Progression: Transition into senior systems engineering roles, technical project management, or specialized technical domains within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

  • Office Type: On-site, with a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster team interaction and knowledge sharing.

  • Office Location(s): Quantico Base, Virginia, United States

    • 📝 Enhancement Note: Quantico Base is a U.S. Marine Corps installation, offering a secure and well-equipped work environment for federal law enforcement professionals.
  • Workspace Context:

    • Access to cutting-edge hardware, software, and testing tools to support systems engineering tasks
    • Multiple monitors and virtualization platforms to facilitate efficient workflow and multitasking
    • A dedicated and collaborative team environment, encouraging open communication and knowledge sharing
  • Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines

    • 📝 Enhancement Note: The work schedule may vary depending on project requirements and mission-critical needs.

🛠️️ Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

  • Infrastructure & Systems Engineering Tools:

    • VMware, HyperV, and Oracle virtualization platforms
    • Windows Server and SQL Server administration
    • Firewall, switch, Active Directory (AD), and DNS management
    • Scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, Ruby, and Perl
    • Version control systems, deployment processes, and CI/CD pipelines
  • Security & Compliance Tools:

    • Security information and event management (SIEM) systems
    • Intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
    • Network access control (NAC) and identity and access management (IAM) solutions
    • Public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate management systems

👥 Team Culture & Values

  • Web Development Values:

    • Happy: Foster a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction drive success.
    • Helpful: Encourage a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
    • Honest: Uphold transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential for complex domains and mission-critical support.
    • Humble: Promote a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication and a willingness to learn from one another.
    • Hungry: Drive an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling the team forward in the face of new challenges.
    • Hustle: Reflect a relentless work ethic, committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.
  • Collaboration Style:

    • A strong emphasis on cross-functional integration between systems engineers, hardware/software support teams, stakeholders, and end users
    • Code review culture and peer programming practices to ensure high-quality deliverables and knowledge sharing
    • Technical mentoring and knowledge sharing to support continuous learning and professional development

⚡️ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

  • Technical Challenges:

    • Design and implement secure, high-availability systems for a federal law enforcement program, supporting national criminal justice operations
    • Manage and maintain virtual environments, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and security
    • Script and automate tasks to enhance efficiency and support system management across the enterprise
    • Ensure system and network designs meet evolving security standards and technical requirements
  • Learning & Development Opportunities:

    • Expand expertise in emerging technologies, scripting languages, and cloud-based infrastructure solutions
    • Develop technical leadership skills through mentoring, team management, and architecture decision-making
    • Transition into senior systems engineering roles, technical project management, or specialized technical domains within the organization

💡 Interview Preparation

  • Technical Questions:

    • Demonstrate a strong understanding of systems engineering fundamentals, including infrastructure support, virtualization, and scripting
    • Showcase expertise in Windows Server and SQL Server administration, with a focus on performance optimization and security best practices
    • Discuss experience with firewalls, switches, Active Directory, and DNS, highlighting your ability to design, configure, and maintain secure, high-availability systems
  • Company & Culture Questions:

    • Research Agile Defense's mission, values, and commitment to adaptive innovation and mission-critical support
    • Prepare questions about the company's culture, team dynamics, and growth opportunities for systems engineers
    • Show enthusiasm for the role and the company, emphasizing your fit with the Agile Defense team and values
  • Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

    • Highlight your involvement in infrastructure and systems engineering projects, demonstrating your ability to design, implement, and maintain secure, high-availability systems
    • Showcase your scripting and automation skills, emphasizing your ability to enhance efficiency and support system management
    • Include examples of security and compliance reviews, demonstrating your commitment to meeting evolving security standards and technical requirements
    • Share evidence of successful stakeholder communication and collaboration, including technical briefings and presentations

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Systems Engineer position at Agile Defense:

  1. Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
  2. Customize your resume, highlighting your systems engineering experience, relevant skills, and portfolio projects that demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
  3. Prepare a portfolio showcasing your systems engineering projects, scripting and automation tasks, security and compliance reviews, and stakeholder communication examples.
  4. Research Agile Defense's mission, values, and culture, and prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process.
  5. Practice technical interview questions and prepare for a hands-on assessment of your systems engineering skills and knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Agile Defense before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years of experience in systems engineering, particularly in infrastructure and virtualization support. Experience with firewalls, switches, Active Directory, and scripting languages is also required.