Principal Systems Engineer
GDIT· enterprise· Defense IT· Sep 8, 2026 · 2mo ago
McLean, VA
In office
Full-time
Principal
$130K–$176K
8+ years exp
Job description
Type of Requisition:
Regular
Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:
Top Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:
Top Secret/SCI
Public Trust/Other Required:
None
Job Family:
IT Infrastructure and Operations
Job Qualifications:
Skills:
Linux Development, Linux Kernel, Networking, Systems Architecture Certifications:
None Experience:
8 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required:
Yes
Job Description:
SYSTEMS ENGINEER PRINCIPAL
Advance how our customers operate while you advance your career. Join GDIT as a Systems Engineer Principal and build an impactful career in enterprise IT, collaborating with people who are driven and resourceful like you.
MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT
As a Systems Engineer Principal, the work you’ll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of our customer’s classified commercial cloud environment. You will play a crucial role in operating, securing, and optimizing a secure workstation enclave in a unique commercial cloud setting, ensuring secure and reliable access to mission-critical resources.
Lead day-to-day engineering and operations of Red Hat and other Linux systems in a classified, air ‑ gapped environment, including configuration, hardening, patching, and maintenance.
Configure, patch, and monitor systems and network devices using tools such as Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, Panorama, ClearPass, and related platforms, ensuring performance, integrity, connectivity, and backup/recovery capabilities.
Collaborate with enclave, network, and security engineers, and vendors to troubleshoot issues, enhance the enclave’s network and security posture, and manage security updates, licenses, and support tickets.
Support vulnerability management and continuous monitoring, including reviewing scans, implementing patching and remediation, POA&M mitigation, and other corrective actions.
Drive hardening and compliance efforts, including STIG review and implementation, to meet NIST and DoW requirements.
Develop and maintain engineering documentation for designs, configurations, and operational procedures.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED
Bring your technology expertise and drive for innovation to GDIT. The Systems Engineer Principal must have:
● Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
● Experience: 8 years of related experience
● Technical skills:
Hands-on experience with Red Hat operating system
Understanding of various Linux operating systems (e.g., Red Hat, Debian)
Hands-on experience with operations and maintenance (O&M) of Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco switches, and applicable software including Panorama and ClearPass
Security clearance level: Current and active Top Secret
Onsite - Mclean, VA
Must be DoW 8140 / 8570.01-M compliant (e.g., Security or equivalent)
GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace
OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore an enterprise IT career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your desire to drive operations forward.
The likely salary range for this position is $130,050 - $175,950. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Travel Required:
Less than 10%
T elecommuting Options:
Onsite
Work Location:
USA VA McLean
Additional Work Locations:
Total Rewards at GDIT:
Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.
Our Identity Verification Process:
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.
About Our Work:
We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at gdit.com/tc .
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Wellness