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# Principal Systems Engineer

- **Company:** GOWDA INFORMATICS AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGIES LLC
- **Location:** McLean, VA, United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $130,050 - $175,950
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Debian Linux, Linux, Networking Hardware, Linux Kernel, Network Architecture, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Systems Architecture, Software Vulnerability Management, Computer Networking Systems, Information Technology, Cisco Switches, Plan of Action and Milestones
- **Published:** October 29, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/principal-systems-engineer-mclean-va--5e15a218-5ed9-4ca7-9693-4373809628df

## About the Role

Systems Engineering, Information Technology & Information Systems, Linux Kernel, Linux Operating System, System Architecture, Network Systems, Network Architecture/Engineering, United States Citizen, Systems Engineering, Computer Workstations, 8 + years of related experience, 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 DoW 8140 / 8570.01-M compliant (e.g., Security+ or equivalent)

## 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 DoW requirements.
 * Develop and maintain engineering documentation for designs, configurations, and operational procedures.