Today
Top Secret/SCI
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
$150,000 - $230,000
Occasional travel
CI Polygraph
IT - Software
Remote/Hybrid•Columbia, MD (On-Site/Office)
Codescratch is currently seeking a self-motivated and talented System Administrator/Engineer to help build cutting-edge analytics and tools in support of the cyber mission space. Join our team to contribute to innovative engineering projects, creating reliable, scalable, and high-performing software for efficient data processing and informed decision-making. This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about designing efficient, secure, and scalable software and thrive in a collaborative environment. You'll own your technical designs, and help shape the big picture. This is your chance to work on real-world challenges in a place where you can learn and grow while supporting mission-critical applications!
The ideal candidate will be an experienced System Administrator or Systems Engineer with a strong foundation in Enterprise Linux administration, system hardening, and RMF/STIG compliance, coupled with hands-on experience supporting secure, mission-focused environments. Should be comfortable working in a small, agile team, adept at troubleshooting complex issues, automating workflows, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver reliable and secure system solutions in support of DoD or Intelligence Community missions.
*This position allows for a hybrid schedule but requires candidates to be local for hybrid travel to the Columbia, MD area.*
Key Responsibilities:
Configure, secure, and maintain Enterprise Linux systems in alignment with RMF and DoD STIG hardening requirements.
Support the test, evaluation, and tuning of automated defensive cyber tools to achieve scalable network ingest up to 10 Gbps Full-Duplex.
Take ownership of system lifecycle management, including deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
Generate and maintain technical documentation, including configuration guides, security artifacts, and RMF evidence packages.
Collaborate closely with a small, mission-driven team to integrate new capabilities, troubleshoot complex issues, and continuously improve system performance and security posture.
Contribute to internal process improvements, tool automation, and system monitoring enhancements.
Provide insights in threat hunting, cyber intelligence, or analyst activities to support active defense missions and incident response efforts.
Why Codescratch?
Codescratch, is a leading software services company that specializes in developing innovative solutions, driving improvements, and optimizing operations in the public and private sectors. Proven track record of success in tackling complex, large-scale challenges that demand out-of-the-box thinking and innovative approaches. Our focus is on delivering maximum value to our customers, mitigating risks and ensuring the highest quality and efficiency. We provide unprecedented mission successes through software innovations, and could not do it without our amazing employees!
As a group of software engineers that have worked together over a decade in the defense industry, we set out to create an organization that chose the best and left off the worst of our employment experiences. We decided to form a company that would focus on people and the work while setting aside bureaucracy and egos. We are a small company that focuses on our employees first. We are committed to reducing operational expenditures and optimizing administrative procedures, prioritizing employee compensation over corporate infrastructure investment.
Highlights of our benefits package:
We are proud to offer a stellar 401(k) plan on day one.
Codescratch contributes 15% of your earnings each pay period, on top of any contribution you choose to make. No vesting schedule, no lump sum, no gotchas! Our team members stick around because they love the company, not because of gimmicks.
Contribute 12% of your rate towards your premium for healthcare, vision and dental.
Flexibility - get paid for every hour that you work, even if it's over 40!
Education/training allowances.
We invest in you and cover the cost of certifications relevant to your job. We also reimburse some of the cost for books, audiobooks and online video courses.
Basic Qualifications:
Minimum of Five years of hands-on experience in System Administration or Systems Engineering.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Information Assurance, or related discipline from an accredited college/university.
One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
Relevant certifications may be substituted for education or years of experience
Solid understanding of Enterprise Linux administration, system hardening, and RMF/STIG compliance.
Experience supporting network and system security tools, preferably in a mission or defense environment.
Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible) for configuration management and system monitoring.
Strong ability to multitask and self-manage in a small team setting, where engineers often wear multiple hats.
Excellent documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
U.S. citizenship required
Active TS/SCI w. Polygraph clearance required
Must be local to, or willing to relocate to the DMV Metropolitan area
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Prior experience working with or supporting DoD or Intelligence Community programs is highly desirable.
Familiarity with cyber defense tools, network traffic analysis, or incident response workflows.
Hands-on experience with virtualization (VMware, KVM) and containerization (Docker, Podman).
Understanding of SIEM, log analytics, or threat intelligence tools.
Relevant certifications such as Security+, Linux+, RHCSA/RHCE, CEH, or CISSP.
Have, or obtain Security+ certification or equivalent DoD 8570 IAT II certification
Salary Range
Pay range $150,000 - $230,000 (Plus medical and other Benefits).
The pay range for this job level is a general estimated guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced System Administrator or Systems Engineer with a strong foundation in Enterprise Linux administration, system hardening, and RMF/STIG compliance, coupled with hands-on experience supporting secure, mission-focused environments. Should be comfortable working in a small, agile team, adept at troubleshooting complex issues, automating workflows, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver reliable and secure system solutions in support of DoD or Intelligence Community missions.
*This position allows for a hybrid schedule but requires candidates to be local for hybrid travel to the Columbia, MD area.*
Key Responsibilities:
Configure, secure, and maintain Enterprise Linux systems in alignment with RMF and DoD STIG hardening requirements.
Support the test, evaluation, and tuning of automated defensive cyber tools to achieve scalable network ingest up to 10 Gbps Full-Duplex.
Take ownership of system lifecycle management, including deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
Generate and maintain technical documentation, including configuration guides, security artifacts, and RMF evidence packages.
Collaborate closely with a small, mission-driven team to integrate new capabilities, troubleshoot complex issues, and continuously improve system performance and security posture.
Contribute to internal process improvements, tool automation, and system monitoring enhancements.
Provide insights in threat hunting, cyber intelligence, or analyst activities to support active defense missions and incident response efforts.
Why Codescratch?
Codescratch, is a leading software services company that specializes in developing innovative solutions, driving improvements, and optimizing operations in the public and private sectors. Proven track record of success in tackling complex, large-scale challenges that demand out-of-the-box thinking and innovative approaches. Our focus is on delivering maximum value to our customers, mitigating risks and ensuring the highest quality and efficiency. We provide unprecedented mission successes through software innovations, and could not do it without our amazing employees!
As a group of software engineers that have worked together over a decade in the defense industry, we set out to create an organization that chose the best and left off the worst of our employment experiences. We decided to form a company that would focus on people and the work while setting aside bureaucracy and egos. We are a small company that focuses on our employees first. We are committed to reducing operational expenditures and optimizing administrative procedures, prioritizing employee compensation over corporate infrastructure investment.
Highlights of our benefits package:
We are proud to offer a stellar 401(k) plan on day one.
Codescratch contributes 15% of your earnings each pay period, on top of any contribution you choose to make. No vesting schedule, no lump sum, no gotchas! Our team members stick around because they love the company, not because of gimmicks.
Contribute 12% of your rate towards your premium for healthcare, vision and dental.
Flexibility - get paid for every hour that you work, even if it's over 40!
Education/training allowances.
We invest in you and cover the cost of certifications relevant to your job. We also reimburse some of the cost for books, audiobooks and online video courses.
Basic Qualifications:
Minimum of Five years of hands-on experience in System Administration or Systems Engineering.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Information Assurance, or related discipline from an accredited college/university.
One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
Relevant certifications may be substituted for education or years of experience
Solid understanding of Enterprise Linux administration, system hardening, and RMF/STIG compliance.
Experience supporting network and system security tools, preferably in a mission or defense environment.
Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible) for configuration management and system monitoring.
Strong ability to multitask and self-manage in a small team setting, where engineers often wear multiple hats.
Excellent documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
U.S. citizenship required
Active TS/SCI w. Polygraph clearance required
Must be local to, or willing to relocate to the DMV Metropolitan area
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Prior experience working with or supporting DoD or Intelligence Community programs is highly desirable.
Familiarity with cyber defense tools, network traffic analysis, or incident response workflows.
Hands-on experience with virtualization (VMware, KVM) and containerization (Docker, Podman).
Understanding of SIEM, log analytics, or threat intelligence tools.
Relevant certifications such as Security+, Linux+, RHCSA/RHCE, CEH, or CISSP.
Have, or obtain Security+ certification or equivalent DoD 8570 IAT II certification
Salary Range
Pay range $150,000 - $230,000 (Plus medical and other Benefits).
The pay range for this job level is a general estimated guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
group id: 91103215
