Systems Engineer – MATRIX CHAT

Program: CB-ISEA - MATRIX CHAT
Company: ODME Solutions
Location: On-site / Hybrid (shipboard + Hawaii support required)
Clearance: Active DoD clearance required
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Yes

Salary Range: $105,000 - $145,000

Role Summary

ODME is seeking a Systems Engineer to support the MATRIX CHAT team with a focus on VM-based deployment, CANES integration, and operational test execution in support of a fixed, two-week RIMPAC test event in June.

This role is hands-on and execution-focused, centered on accelerating delivery under a non-movable deliverable and test window. The engineer will support VM image creation, deployment into CANES-constrained environments, cross-system chat integration, and shipboard support and RIMPAC testing.

This position is not container-first and not a pure DevOps role. The emphasis is on VM delivery, infrastructure integration, and operational readiness in real DoD environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain VM-based (non-containerized) deployments of MATRIX CHAT
• Build VM images using Packer and supporting Infrastructure as Code tooling
• Integrate deployments into vSphere / vCenter environments
• Support deployment within CANES backbone constraints and air-gapped environments
• Produce deployable VM templates, customization files, and operator-ready artifacts
• Support App Arsenal deployment paths as required
• Assist with cross-system chat integration, including MATRIX ↔ MAKO bridging (IRC-based)
• Tailor MATRIX CHAT v1.2 prior to VM release
• Support integration testing, shipboard testing, and June RIMPAC test execution
• Produce clear, sailor-friendly documentation for deployment and operation
• Work closely with program leadership to track risks and readiness leading into RIMPAC

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience building and developing VM images in vSphere / VCenter environments
• Active DoD Security Clearance
• Security+ certification
• At least one operating system-level certification

Desired / Bonus Skills

• Experience with GitLab pipelines or Tekton
• Familiarity with IRC-based chat systems or messaging bridges
• Exposure to Kubernetes / K3s, ArgoCD, or containerized systems (contextual knowledge)

• Prior shipboard testing, fleet support, or exercise participation (e.g., RIMPAC)
• Ability to operate independently under schedule pressure Hands-on experience with Packer
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code concepts (Terraform preferred)
• Experience operating in air-gapped or restricted network environments
• Understanding of DoD deployment environments, particularly CANES
• Experience supporting system integration, test events, or operational exercises
• Strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure and system boundaries