Senior Systems Engineer

Forge Forward is searching for a Sr. Systems Engineer to support a client in Charleston, SC. Must have a minimum five (5) years of experience in systems engineering and support for IT and C4I systems. Candidates must hold an active Secret clearance which requires US citizenship. Those not meeting both of these requirements cannot be considered.

The Senior Systems Engineer will support a Navy enterprise command-and-control environment in Charleston, SC. This role focuses on secure infrastructure engineering, vulnerability remediation, and compliance across Windows, Linux, virtualization, and enterprise endpoint platforms. This is a hands-on engineering role for an experienced professional who thrives in mission-critical environments and understands how to balance security, compliance, and operational readiness. Candidate will have privileged system access and must have CompTIA Security+ certification and ability to meet DoD Cybersecurity Workforce IAT Level II certification with an operating systems certificate (e.g. Linux+).

Functional Responsibilities:
- Engineer, administer, and secure enterprise Windows (including Exchange) and RHEL systems
- Maintain and enforce baseline configurations
- Administer and optimize VMware vSphere / ESXi / vCenter environments
- Support VDI infrastructure
- Endpoint & Configuration Management
- Manage Active Directory and Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
- Develop and maintain automation using: PowerShell, Bash / Linux scripting, Ansible
- Serve as subject matter expert for ACAS scanning and analysis
- Lead system-level vulnerability remediation efforts to closure
- Implement and manage endpoint security solutions: Trellix / HBSS / ESS
- Support RMF activities, including control validation, POA&M development, and continuous monitoring
- Ensure compliance with DISA STIGs, DoD policies, and Navy cybersecurity requirements
- Provide limited support for Brocade switches (firmware, baselines)
- Troubleshoot systems in lab and production environments
- Participate in technical reviews, change management, and engineering boards
- Produce and review technical documentation including implementation plans, test results, and technical reports
- Coordinate and knowledge-share within a multi-disciplinary engineering team

Required Skills:
- Five (5) years of experience in systems engineering and support for IT and C4I systems.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree desired in engineering (e.g., network, electrical, mechanical, systems, etc.).
- CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent.
- Operating System Certificate (e.g., Linux+, Windows Server, CCNA, etc.).
- Candidates must be a US citizen and hold an active SECRET clearance with a current SSBI/T5 investigation. TS/SCI desired.

Desired Skills:
- Experience with storage and backup solutions (e.g. NetApp, Rubrik).
- Experience with software-defined networking (e.g. NSX).
- Experience with HCI systems (e.g. VxRail).
- Experience supporting classified environments with privileged access
- Automate infrastructure provisioning using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or Ansible.
- Strong understanding of DevSecOps principles.
- Proficiency in scripting and programming languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell).
- Experience with CI/CD tools and automation platforms.
- Familiarity with containerization and cloud security.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Familiarity with Navy cloud and automation platforms.
- Git repository management
- Knowledge of FRCB deployment requirements