SME Systems Engineer

We are looking for a SME Systems Engineer with cloud and platform engineering experience to join our high-performing Infrastructure team on a dynamic, mission-focused program. This role requires a hands-on technical expert capable of evaluating existing systems and applications, documenting current-state architectures, designing future-state solutions, and executing end-to-end enhancements or technology modernization efforts. The ideal candidate is a technical leader who delivers, not just advises-someone who collaborates seamlessly across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, security, and data teams while maintaining accountability for system reliability, performance, scalability, and security. Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain cloud-based and hybrid infrastructure solutions in AWS environments.
• Develop, manage, and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, and AWS CDK.
• Support the deployment, configuration, and management of containerized applications using Kubernetes, EKS, Docker Swarm, or similar technologies.
• Assist application teams with the creation, configuration, integration, and administration of Linux-based systems and platforms.
• Manage day-to-day system operations, including monitoring system performance, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Perform initial troubleshooting of system and data pipeline issues and collaborate with internal and external teams to efficiently resolve issues.
• Collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders to design, implement, debug, monitor, and support complex data processing capabilities.
• Work within Agile development environments to support continuous delivery, rapid iteration, and mission responsiveness.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, scalability, security, and operational efficiency of mission systems.
• Write and maintain technical documentation, including system documentation, processes, procedures, and training materials.
• Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Cloud Engineering, Platform Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• Extensive experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise infrastructure across networking, storage, compute, and container platforms
• Strong experience with Linux systems administration (Red Hat/CentOS), including configuration, hardening, automation, and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying hybrid and cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), including cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization
• Experience with relational and NoSQL database technologies including Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, and Redis
• Experience developing and integrating web services, APIs, middleware, and event-driven messaging systems (SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)
• Proficient in scripting and automation using Python, Bash, and PowerShell, and Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation
• Experienced in implementing CI/CD pipelines and GitOps workflows using Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, and ArgoCD
• Strong background in security best practices, systems hardening, and monitoring/incident response using Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, and CloudWatch
• Skilled in creating as-is and to-be architecture documentation, detailed engineering designs, and implementation/migration plans
• US citizenship with an active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance

Desired Skills:

• 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
• Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)
• Zero Trust and modern security architectures
• Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure
• AWS Certification: Solutions Architect Professional or equivalent, Agile Programming Methodologies, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ansible, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop, Application Programming Interface (API), Architectural Design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Bash Scripting, Best Practices, Big Data, CentOS, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Configuration Management, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Integration, Cost Control, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Processing, Data Science, Database Technology, Debugging Skills, Defense Intelligence, Docker, Documentation, Ecosystems, Engineering, Federal Contracts, Federal Government, GCP (Good Clinical Practices), GitHub, Government, Government Contracts, Hybrid Cloud, ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library), Identify Issues, Incident Response, Information Technology & Information Systems, Intelligence Community, Jenkins, Linux Administration, Logistics, Machine Learning, Messaging Technology, Metrics, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Windows Azure, Middleware, MongoDB, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, MySQL, NoSQL, Oracle, Performance Analysis, PostgreSQL, Problem Solving Skills, Process Capability, Process Improvement, Python Programming/Scripting Language, RabbitMQ, Red Hat Linux Operating System, Redis, Relational Databases (RDBMS), Scripting (Scripting Languages), Security Architecture, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Simple Queue Service (SQS), Software Development, Software Engineering, Splunk, System Migration, System Operations, Systems Administration/Management, Systems Engineering, Systems Maintenance, Systems Reliability, Technical Delivery, Technical Leadership, Technical Writing, Technical/Engineering Design, Testing, Top Secret Clearance, United States Citizen, Virtual Machine (VM), Web Programming, Web Services, Windows PowerShell

Do you know anyone for this position, or other positions open at The Swift Group? We offer a $5,000 bonus for any referral candidate we hire, paid out at the new hire’s 90-day mark. #LI-VM1 #Onsite The Swift Group and Subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class. Pay Range: $49,996.80 - $290,004.00 Pay ranges are a general guideline and not intended as a guaranteed and/or implied final compensation or salary for this job opening. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several different factors including, but not limited to: level of position, complexity of job responsibilities, geographic location, work experience, education, certifications, Federal Government contract labor categories, and contract wage rates. At The Swift Group and Subsidiaries, you will receive comprehensive benefits including but not limited to: healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, education, and time off benefits.

The Swift Group is a privately held, mission-driven and employee-focused services and solutions company headquartered in Reston, VA. Our capabilities include Software Development, Engineering & IT, Data Science, Cyber Enablement, Logistics, and Training. Founded in 2019, Swift supports Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence Community customers across the country and around the globe., SWIFT is a member-owned cooperative that provides the communications platform, products and services to connect more than 10,800 banking organisations, securities institutions and corporate customers in over 200 countries and territories. SWIFT enables its users to exchange automated, standardized financial information securely and reliably, thereby lowering costs, reducing operational risk and eliminating operational inefficiencies. SWIFT also brings the financial community together to work collaboratively to shape market practice, define standards and debate issues of mutual interest. SWIFT is headquartered in Belgium and has over 24 offices worldwide. In 2014 SWIFT processed more than 5.6 billion FIN messages.

Company Size: 1,500 to 1,999 employees

Industry: Financial Services