> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3326794-systems-engineer-principal](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3326794-systems-engineer-principal). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Systems Engineer Principal - **Company:** General Dynamics Information Technology - **Location:** McLean, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $130,050.0 - $175,950.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Biometrics, Debian Linux, Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Software Vulnerability Management, Cisco Switches, Plan of Action and Milestones - **Published:** September 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://gdit.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Career_Site/job/USA-VA-McLean/Principal-Systems-Engineer_RQ227592/apply ## About the Role Bring your technology expertise and drive for innovation to GDIT. The Systems Engineer Principal must have: * Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science * Experience: 8+ years of related experience * Technical skills: * Hands-on experience with Red Hat operating system * Understanding of various Linux operating systems (e.g., Red Hat, Debian) * Hands-on experience with operations and maintenance (O&M) of Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, and applicable software including Panorama and ClearPass * Security clearance level: Current and active Top Secret * Onsite - Mclean, VA * Must be DoD 8140 / 8570.01-M compliant (e.g., Security+ or equivalent), Years of Experience 8 + years of related experience * may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree Certification CompTIA Security+ CE | CompTIA - CompTIA Travel Required Less than 10% Citizenship ## Description As a Systems Engineer Principal, the work you'll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of our customer's classified commercial cloud environment. You will play a crucial role in operating, securing, and optimizing a secure workstation enclave in a unique commercial cloud setting, ensuring secure and reliable access to mission-critical resources. * Lead day-to-day engineering and operations of Red Hat and other Linux systems in a classified, air-gapped environment, including configuration, hardening, patching, and maintenance. * Configure, patch, and monitor systems and network devices using tools such as Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, Panorama, ClearPass, and related platforms, ensuring performance, integrity, connectivity, and backup/recovery capabilities. * Collaborate with enclave, network, and security engineers, and vendors to troubleshoot issues, enhance the enclave's network and security posture, and manage security updates, licenses, and support tickets. * Support vulnerability management and continuous monitoring, including reviewing scans, implementing patching and remediation, POA&M mitigation, and other corrective actions. * Drive hardening and compliance efforts, including STIG review and implementation, to meet NIST and DoD requirements. * Develop and maintain engineering documentation for designs, configurations, and operational procedures. ## Related Videos - [Discover the open source trio you didn’t expect: .NET and PostgreSQL on Linux](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2042-discover-the-open-source-trio-you-didn-t-expect-net-and-postgresql-on-linux) - [Biometric Phone Chargers, $40m Domain Names & AI Movies Winning Awards - Peter Kröner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1810-biometric-phone-chargers-40m-domain-names-ai-movies-winning-awards-peter-kroner) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - What Development and Tattoos Have in Common and more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1380-wearedevelopers-live-what-development-and-tattoos-have-in-common-and-more) - [Checkmate: 5 Real Incidents That Can End a Software Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100126-checkmate-5-real-incidents-that-can-end-a-software-company) ## Related Articles - [Best Paying Jobs in Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/256-best-paying-jobs-in-technology) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers)