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Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs in Charleston, SC

Systems Engineer

North Charleston, SC ยท On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Ability to support C4I systems upgrades around the globe and work directly with senior military and government officials * Secret clearance * Bachelor's degree in engineering Nice If You Have:

Systems Engineer

North Charleston, SC ยท On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Ability to support C4I systems upgrades around the globe and work directly with senior military and government officials * Secret clearance * Bachelor's degree in engineering Nice If You Have:

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Senior Distributed Systems Engineer information

See Charleston, SC salary details

$52.4K

$116.7K

$164.7K

How much do senior distributed systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior distributed systems engineer in Charleston, SC is $116,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,800.00 and $133,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Distributed Systems Engineer vs Cloud Solutions Architect?

AspectSenior Distributed Systems EngineerCloud Solutions Architect
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, experience with distributed systemsBachelor's/Master's in CS, IT, or related, cloud certifications (AWS, Azure)
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and maintaining distributed systems in tech companiesDesigning cloud infrastructure solutions for clients or internal teams
Industry UsageTech, finance, e-commerce, and enterprise sectorsIT consulting, cloud service providers, enterprise IT departments

The Senior Distributed Systems Engineer focuses on building and optimizing distributed computing systems, while the Cloud Solutions Architect designs cloud infrastructure solutions. Both roles require technical expertise and often overlap in cloud environments, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Distributed Systems Engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills in cloud infrastructure, and leadership roles. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options in large tech companies or startups with high growth potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Distributed Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

A Senior Distributed Systems Engineer requires deep expertise in computer science fundamentals, scalable system architecture, and proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Go, or Python, often supported by a relevant degree and significant experience in distributed systems. Familiarity with tools like Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) is typically expected, along with knowledge of monitoring and CI/CD pipelines. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help in tackling complex engineering challenges and collaborating across teams. These skills are crucial for designing robust, scalable, and reliable systems that support organizational growth and high availability.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior distributed systems engineers often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in cloud computing, and expertise in scalable architecture. Compensation can vary based on industry, location, and company size, with some roles in tech giants or specialized fields reaching or exceeding this level.

What are some common challenges Senior Distributed Systems Engineers face when designing scalable systems?

Senior Distributed Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing data consistency, ensuring fault tolerance, and minimizing latency across multiple nodes. Balancing trade-offs between availability and partition tolerance (as outlined by the CAP theorem) is a frequent consideration. Additionally, coordinating between development and operations teams to maintain system reliability and efficiently resolve issues that arise in production environments is crucial. Strong communication skills and a deep understanding of distributed architectures help address these complexities effectively.

What are Senior Distributed Systems Engineers?

Senior Distributed Systems Engineers are experienced professionals who design, build, and maintain large-scale computing systems that run across multiple machines or locations. They focus on ensuring reliability, scalability, and performance of distributed applications, often dealing with challenges like data consistency, fault tolerance, and network latency. These engineers typically have deep expertise in distributed computing principles, programming languages, and cloud infrastructure. They also mentor junior team members and help architect robust solutions for complex technical problems.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior distributed systems engineers, software engineers in specialized fields like cloud infrastructure, and senior engineers with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation often depends on expertise in areas such as distributed architecture, performance optimization, and familiarity with tools like Kubernetes and cloud platforms, along with relevant certifications and a strong track record of project delivery.

Is L5 at Google Senior?

L5 at Google typically corresponds to a senior-level engineering role, often called Software Engineer II or equivalent, with significant experience and technical expertise. It is considered a mid-to-senior level position, with responsibilities including project leadership and mentorship. Advancement to higher levels generally requires demonstrated impact and leadership in projects.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC? For Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Charleston, SC are hiring for Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs? Cities near Charleston, SC with the most Senior Distributed Systems Engineer job openings:

Sr. Systems Engineer

Information Systems Solutions

Charleston, SC โ€ข On-site

$97K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 9 hours ago


Job description

The Senior Systems Engineer will support a Navy enterprise command-and-control environment in Charleston, SC. This position serves as a senior technical authority responsible for the design, engineering, hardening, and lifecycle management of enterprise Windows environments within secure DoD networks. The role centers on Windows Server ecosystems, identity and access management, system hardening, and compliance enforcement, with responsibility for maintaining highly available, secure, and scalable infrastructure. The engineer will lead system-level vulnerability remediation efforts, RMF compliance activities, and enforcement of DISA STIG baselines across enterprise environments. This is a senior, hands-on engineering role requiring deep expertise in Windows internals, Active Directory design, Group Policy architecture, and enterprise cybersecurity practices. The candidate must independently resolve complex system issues, guide technical decisions, and contribute to architecture and engineering strategies across the environment.
This role is 100% onsite.
Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
โ€ข Engineer and administer enterprise Windows Server environments (2016/2019/2022) within classified and DoD networks
โ€ข Architect, manage, and optimize Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), including forests, domains, trust relationships, and replication topology
โ€ข Design and enforce Group Policy (GPO) strategy and configuration baselines across enterprise systems
โ€ข Implement and maintain Windows security hardening in accordance with DISA STIGs and DoD cybersecurity policies
โ€ข Serve as the technical lead for vulnerability assessment and remediation, leveraging ACAS scan results and system-level mitigation strategies
โ€ข Lead engineering efforts for system compliance, auditing, and continuous monitoring under RMF frameworks
โ€ข Develop advanced automation using PowerShell (primary) to support configuration enforcement, auditing, and remediation
โ€ข Support and optimize virtualized infrastructure (VMware vSphere/ESXi/vCenter) hosting Windows workloads
โ€ข Provide engineering support for Windows-based VDI environments, focusing on system performance, stability, and security
โ€ข Implement and manage identity, authentication, and access control mechanisms, including least privilege and privileged access strategies
โ€ข Troubleshoot and resolve complex Windows OS, AD, and infrastructure-level issues across lab and production environments
โ€ข Participate in architecture reviews, engineering boards, and configuration control processes
โ€ข Produce and maintain engineering documentation, including system designs, implementation plans, and compliance artifacts
โ€ข Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership within a multi-disciplinary team environment
Why Work For ISS?
At ISS we pride ourselves on providing an employee-focused and family first environment. Being a small business, we take the time to get to know our employees and have a vested interest in helping them achieve their career goals. We work to schedule regular social gatherings within the company to foster camaraderie. ISS values their employees by providing a comprehensive benefits package that includes a fully vested 401(k) matching program, coverage of family medical deductibles, spot bonuses, and educational assistance to further your career.
Requirements
Clearance Level
TS/SCI (desired)
OR
An active SECRET clearance with a current SSBI/T5 investigation
AND
Candidates must be a U.S. citizen
Certifications (IAT Level II)
One of the following:
โ€ข CompTIA CySA+
โ€ข CompTIA Security+
โ€ข CCNA - Security
โ€ข GICSP
โ€ข GSEC
โ€ข SSCP
And
โ€ข Operating System Certificate (e.g., Linux+, Windows Server, CCNA, etc.).
Required Skills
โ€ข Seven (7) years of experience in systems engineering and support for IT and C4I systems.
โ€ข bachelor's or master's degree desired in engineering (e.g., network, electrical, mechanical, systems, etc.).
Desired Skills
โ€ข Advanced expertise in Active Directory architecture (multi-domain/forest design, replication, disaster recovery strategies)
โ€ข Deep understanding of Windows Server internals and enterprise infrastructure design
โ€ข Strong PowerShell development skills (modular scripting, automation frameworks, secure coding practices)
โ€ข Experience with hybrid identity solutions (Azure AD / Entra ID)
โ€ข Proven experience leading STIG implementation and compliance at scale
โ€ข Experience supporting classified DoD environments with privileged administrative access
โ€ข Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code concepts (desired, not required)
โ€ข Demonstrated ability to lead engineering efforts and influence architecture decisions