Leading Path Consulting

JOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a hands-on Systems Engineer (SME) with deep expertise across infrastructure, platforms, and application ecosystems spanning cloud and on-premises environments. This role requires a proven practitioner who can analyze existing (as-is) systems and applications, document current state architectures, design future-state solutions, and implement system enhancements or technology transformations end-to- end.
The ideal candidate is a technical leader and doer, not just an advisor - someone who can seamlessly collaborate across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, information systems security, and data teams while maintaining ownership of system reliability, performance, scalability, and security. Recognized SME with deep, hands-on technical expertise. Strong systems thinker with the ability to see and engineer across the full stack. Comfortable operating at both strategic architecture and tactical implementation levels. Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams. Proven ability to own complex systems from design through production
QUALIFICATION
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience
• Minimum ten (10) years of related Systems and Linux Engineering experience
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Infrastructure & Platforms
• Enterprise networking (e.g., routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)
• Storage technologies (e.g., SAN, NAS, object storage)
• Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)
• Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)
• IdAM - Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ
Cloud & On-Prem Technologies
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)
• Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration
• Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization
Data & Application Platforms
• Relational and NoSQL databases - relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases
• Web services, APIs, and middleware
• Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals
• Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)
Engineering & Automation
• Infrastructure as Code - Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation
• Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)
• CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)
• Security best practices and system hardening
• Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch
Architecture & Design
• Ability to create:
o As-is architecture documentation
o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs
o Implementation and migration plans
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
• Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)
• Zero Trust and modern security architectures
• Data analytics, AL/ML platform exposure
• Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments
• Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture)
• Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SafeMaker)
• Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google, BigQuery)
• Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies
• Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, ITIL Foundation
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications
• Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures
• Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives
• Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades
• Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements
• Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines
• Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications
• Collaborate effectively with:
o Infrastructure & Platform Engineers
o Software Engineers
o DevOps/DevSecOps Engineers
o Data Engineers (ETL)
o Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts
• Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks
• Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex system issues
• Communication Skills:
o Ability to brief executives clearly and translate technical issues into business impact
o Ability to work across organizations (internal and IC) to implement complex solutions
Requirements
*Eligible TS/SCI w/ FS Poly
QUALIFICATION
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience
• Minimum ten (10) years of related Systems and Linux Engineering experience
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Infrastructure & Platforms
• Enterprise networking (e.g., routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)
• Storage technologies (e.g., SAN, NAS, object storage)
• Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)
• Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)
• IdAM - Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ
Cloud & On-Prem Technologies
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)
• Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration
• Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization
Data & Application Platforms
• Relational and NoSQL databases - relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases
• Web services, APIs, and middleware
• Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals
• Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ)
Engineering & Automation
• Infrastructure as Code - Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation
• Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)
• CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)
• Security best practices and system hardening
• Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch
Architecture & Design
• Ability to create:
o As-is architecture documentation
o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs
o Implementation and migration plans
Benefits
Leading Path is an award-winning Information Technology and Management Consulting firm focused on providing solutions in process, technology, and operations to our government and Fortune 500 clients. We offer a professional and family friendly work environment with a strong work-life balance. Leading Path provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including fully paid medical/dental/vision premiums, generous PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, 6% 401K contribution, annual training and tuition reimbursement, SPOT Award bonuses, regular team events, opportunities for professional growth and advancement and much more!