Senior Systems Engineer

IT Systems Engineer – SeniorWashington, DC Secret Polygraph Unspecified Senior Level Career (10+ yrs experience)C3EL is seeking a Senior IT Systems Engineer to support IT operations in Washington, DC. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT systems to ensure reliability, performance, and scalability. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership across system architecture, integration, and operational support. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:Design, implement, and maintain systems, including servers, virtualization, storage, and cloud environments.Install, configure, and manage Windows and Linux operating systems.Monitor system performance and troubleshoot hardware, software, and infrastructure issues.Support system integration and ensure interoperability across platforms and applications.Implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure systems are secure and aligned with best practices.Automate administrative tasks using scripting tools (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash).Maintain system documentation, configurations, and standard operating procedures.Provide technical guidance to junior team members.Minimum Qualifications:U.S. Citizenship.Current DoD-8570 IAT Level 2 baseline certification (Security+ CE, or equivalent).8+ years of experience in systems engineering, IT infrastructure, or a related field.Proficiency with Windows Server and/or Linux systems.Experience with virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and/or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or similar).Knowledge of storage solutions and backup/recovery processes.Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).Experience troubleshooting system and infrastructure issues.Scripting experience (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash).Strong communication and documentation skills.Desired Qualifications:Experience in large-scale enterprise environments.Familiarity with automation/IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).Knowledge of system hardening and security best practices.Relevant industry certifications.Education:Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field preferred, OR an Associate's degree plus ten (10) years of recent specialized experience, OR 12 years of recent specialized experience.