Systems Engineer - Level II

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Systems Engineer - Level II to support enterprise Linux infrastructure, Red Hat OpenShift administration, and containerized application environments for a mission-critical federal program in San Diego, CA . The Systems Engineer - Level II will be responsible for administering, maintaining, and optimizing on-premises OpenShift clusters, ensuring system availability, security, and performance across enterprise environments. This position will be fully onsite in San Diego, CA and requires an active Secret clearance!

Responsibilities of the Systems Engineer - Level II:

• Administer, configure, maintain, and optimize enterprise Red Hat OpenShift clusters supporting mission-critical applications
• Manage on-premises containerized infrastructure, ensuring high availability, scalability, and operational reliability
• Monitor OpenShift cluster health, node performance, application workloads, and infrastructure utilization
• Troubleshoot complex cluster, node, and application issues using system logs, events, and diagnostic tools
• Perform Linux systems administration, configuration management, and troubleshooting across enterprise environments
• Support container orchestration, application deployments, and infrastructure management using OpenShift and Kubernetes technologies
• Implement security configurations, user access controls, network policies, and system hardening requirements
• Apply software updates, security patches, and platform upgrades to maintain infrastructure stability and compliance
• Support DISA STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation, and secure system configuration practices
• Develop automation scripts and infrastructure management solutions using Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar technologies
• Perform system backups, disaster recovery activities, and infrastructure maintenance to ensure operational continuity
• Collaborate with Software Developers, Cybersecurity Engineers, and Infrastructure teams to support application deployment and troubleshooting
• Maintain technical documentation, standard operating procedures, system configurations, and troubleshooting guides
• Identify opportunities to improve infrastructure performance, automation, security, and overall platform reliability

Qualifications for the Systems Engineer - Level II:

• Active Secret clearance
• Active DoD IAT Level II certification, such as Security+, CySA+, GSEC, SSCP, GICSP, or CCNA Security
• 7+ years of experience in Linux systems administration, infrastructure engineering, or enterprise systems support
• 3+ years of hands-on experience deploying, administering, and maintaining Red Hat OpenShift environments
• Strong experience managing on-premises OpenShift clusters, including cluster configuration, scaling, monitoring, and troubleshooting
• Experience administering Linux operating systems, preferably Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• Strong understanding of containerization, Kubernetes fundamentals, and enterprise application infrastructure
• Experience troubleshooting infrastructure issues using system logs, events, and diagnostic tools
• Experience implementing system security controls, user access permissions, and network policies
• Familiarity with infrastructure patching, system upgrades, backups, and performance monitoring
• Experience with scripting and automation using Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar technologies
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, technical documentation, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience administering SUSE Rancher or other enterprise Kubernetes management platforms
• Advanced knowledge of Red Hat OpenShift architecture, cluster operations, and container orchestration
• Experience with DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and DoD cybersecurity compliance requirements
• Familiarity with Kubernetes networking, persistent storage, and container security
• Experience supporting classified or mission-critical federal IT environments
• Knowledge of infrastructure automation, configuration management, and high-availability architectures
• Experience supporting Agile software development teams and containerized application deployments

Compensation for the Systems Engineer - Level II includes:

• Salary: $180,000 - $190,000
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, and Paid Holidays

#LI-MM1 #LI-ONSITE

Keywords: Systems Engineer, Systems Engineer Level II, Senior Systems Engineer, OpenShift Administrator, Senior OpenShift Administrator, Red Hat OpenShift Administrator, OpenShift Engineer, Linux Systems Engineer, Linux Systems Administrator, RHEL Administrator, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat OpenShift, OpenShift Container Platform, OCP, OpenShift Clusters, Kubernetes, Kubernetes Administration, Kubernetes Engineer, SUSE Rancher, Rancher, Containerization, Container Orchestration, Container Infrastructure, Enterprise Linux, Linux Administration, Cluster Administration, Cluster Management, Cluster Monitoring, High Availability, Infrastructure Engineering, Infrastructure Automation, Bash, Python, Ansible, Configuration Management, System Patching, Vulnerability Remediation, DISA STIG, STIG Compliance, System Hardening, Network Policies, Access Control, Infrastructure Security, System Backups, Disaster Recovery, DoD 8140, IAT Level II, Security+, CySA+, GSEC, SSCP, GICSP, CCNA Security, Federal IT, DoD, Secret Clearance, Active Secret, San Diego CA, California, Onsite Systems Engineer, Federal Infrastructure Engineering