Principal Systems Engineer Jobs in Springfield, VA

OVERVIEW: We are seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer & Site Lead to head our Bethesda, Maryland team, specializing in advanced storage solutions and Red Hat Linux environments. With the headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, this role serves as the on-site technical and operational leader for the Bethesda location. You will lead a team of engineers delivering high-performance storage systems that support critical operations, while serving as the primary point of accountability for site execution, customer engagement, and team development. GENERAL DUTIES: * Serve as the site lead for Bethesda operations, representing the company on-site and acting as the senior technical authority and escalation point for the team and customer. * Lead, mentor, and develop a team of systems engineers, fostering technical growth, accountability, and a culture of excellence. * Own site-level execution: workload planning, task assignment, performance management, and coordination with Ashburn HQ leadership. * Serve as the primary customer-facing leader at the site, building executive-level relationships and translating customer priorities into technical direction for the team. * Drive hiring, onboarding, and retention efforts in partnership with HQ; identify staffing needs and contribute to team growth strategy. * Establish and enforce site operational standards, including documentation practices, change management, and security compliance. * Report site status, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership at HQ. * Architect, configure, and manage enterprise storage systems, including Storage Area * Networks (SANs), RAID, JBOD, and clustered file systems, within Red Hat Linux environments (RHEL/CentOS). * Administer and optimize Red Hat Linux servers, ensuring seamless storage integration and compliance with security standards. * Automate storage and system tasks using scripting (bash, Python, Perl) to improve efficiency, monitor logs, and implement responsive triggers. * Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize storage infrastructure and Red Hat Linux systems for performance, scalability, and reliability. * Lead storage hardware/software installations, patches, and upgrades, ensuring compatibility with Red Hat Linux ecosystems. * Direct capacity planning, performance monitoring, and storage provisioning in secure environments. * Guide storage-focused R&D efforts and maintain a comprehensive site knowledge base (e.g., wiki). * Oversee deployment and support of systems in secure facilities, adhering to strict protocols. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. * Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in systems engineering with a focus on storage and Red Hat Linux administration, including at least 3-5 years in a technical leadership, team lead, or site lead role. * Demonstrated experience leading technical teams in a customer-facing environment, ideally at a customer site or remote location. * Proven ability to mentor engineers, manage performance, and develop talent. * Strong executive presence and the judgment to act as the senior on-site representative of the company. * Track record of building and sustaining trusted customer relationships at the working and management levels. * Comfort operating with autonomy while maintaining alignment with HQ leadership and corporate direction. * Expertise in Red Hat Linux (RHEL/CentOS; RHCE/RHCSA or equivalent preferred) for server and storage management. * Expertise in Storage Area Networks, RAID, JBOD, hierarchical storage, and advanced file systems. * Strong scripting skills (bash, Python, Perl) for storage automation and system optimization. * Experience with VMware, virtualized environments, and cloud storage concepts. * Knowledge of networking protocols and storage hardware optimization. * Familiarity with secure facility deployments and open-source tools. * Ability to travel between the Bethesda site, Ashburn HQ, and other customer sites as needed. * Dedication to teamwork, innovation, and leading by example in a dynamic environment. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Cisco expertise (e.g., networking or storage integration) is a plus. CLEARANCE: * Active TS/SCI with CI polygraph required