Sr. System Engineer

Title: Senior System Engineer
Location : DC Metro Area
Target Start Date : ASAP
Type: contract
Pay Rate: DOE

We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Platform Engineering team and help design, automate, and optimize the infrastructure and tooling that powers enterprise application delivery. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep Linux expertise, strong cloud experience, and a passion for automation.

You will be responsible for building and maintaining secure, scalable platform services that support modern application development using AWS and/or Azure, container technologies, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and CI/CD pipelines. This position also leverages AI-powered engineering tools to improve developer productivity, streamline operations, and automate repetitive tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Engineering & Automation

• Design, build, and maintain enterprise Linux platforms supporting cloud-native applications and containerized workloads.
• Develop and maintain standardized Linux gold images (AMIs and Docker images) to ensure secure, consistent deployments.
• Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle management using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and configuration management tools.
• Continuously improve platform reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency through automation and engineering best practices.

Cloud & Container Technologies

• Build and support cloud infrastructure within AWS and/or Azure environments.
• Deploy, manage, and optimize containerized applications using Docker, Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS Fargate.
• Collaborate with application teams to modernize deployments and improve container orchestration strategies.

CI/CD & DevOps

• Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitLab.
• Develop reusable pipeline templates, deployment components, and automation workflows.
• Integrate security, testing, and compliance checks throughout the software delivery lifecycle.
• Partner with development teams to improve deployment velocity and release quality.

Scripting & Configuration Management

• Develop automation solutions using Python and Bash.
• Implement and maintain Desired State Configuration (DSC) using Ansible.
• Automate system administration, deployment, monitoring, and operational tasks across Linux environments.

AI-Enabled Engineering

• Leverage AI-powered development tools to accelerate code generation, troubleshooting, documentation, and operational automation.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate AI into engineering workflows to improve productivity and reduce manual effort.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend platform improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Application Development, Information Security, Networking, Cloud Engineering, and DevOps teams to deliver secure and reliable platform solutions.
• Participate in architecture discussions, technical planning, and operational support for enterprise infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3 years of hands-on experience in platform engineering, systems engineering, or DevOps.
• Strong Linux/Unix administration and engineering experience.
• Strong scripting skills using Python and/or Bash.
• Experience with cloud platforms, including AWS and/or Azure.
• Hands-on experience with Docker and container orchestration technologies including Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS Fargate.
• Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using GitLab.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and configuration management tools such as Ansible.
• Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools for software engineering, automation, troubleshooting, or documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building and maintaining enterprise Linux AMIs and container images.
• Knowledge of cloud security, networking, and infrastructure best practices.
• Experience supporting highly available, cloud-native production environments.
• Familiarity with monitoring, observability, and logging platforms.
• Experience working within Agile and DevOps environments.
• AWS and/or Azure certifications are a plus.

Core Technologies

• Operating Systems: Linux/Unix
• Cloud: AWS, Azure
• Containers: Docker, ECS, EKS, Fargate
• Languages: Python, Bash
• CI/CD: GitLab
• Configuration Management: Ansible
• Infrastructure: EC2, AMIs
• Practices: Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps, Platform Engineering, AI-assisted software development

Welcome to ConsultNet, a premier national provider of technology talent and solutions. Our expertise spans across project services, contract-to-hire, direct search, and managed services onshore, nearshore, and hybrid. For over 25 years, we have connected thousands of consultants with meaningful roles through a personal, communication-driven approach, partnering with a diverse client base to build high-performing teams and create lasting impact. Our comprehensive service offerings cover a wide range of technology and engineering positions across key markets nationwide. Learn more at www.consultnet.com .

We champion equality and inclusivity, proudly supporting an Equal Opportunity Employer policy. We welcome applicants regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other status protected by law.