Linux Systems Engineer

Job Title: Linux Systems Engineer (Mid-Level)
Location: Middle River, MD (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time (Hybrid). 3  days per week on-site, plus on-site presence for projects, experimentation, and testing events. Includes occasional outdoor work in varying terrain and weather, and travel 2–3 times per year for up to two weeks.

Salary: $110K – $135K

Position Overview:
MCFA is partnering with a defense research organization and leading their search for a Robotics Engineer to support intelligent robotics research. You’ll focus on software and hardware integration for proof-of-concept demonstrations and performance evaluation of autonomous behaviors on individual robots and teams of ground and aerial platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

- Administer Linux servers, services, and research systems supporting the ROS Enclave, VPG computing environment, virtual test range, and lab and field platforms (Ubuntu and/or RHEL derivatives)

- Build, configure, patch, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux hosts used for simulation, data handling, robotics integration, and LVC / hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) experimentation

- Manage researcher and partner access to prototype environments, including accounts, permissions, storage, and secure data-management processes

- Partner with the Network Engineer and ARL researchers to integrate Linux systems with wired, wireless, tactical, and campus test networks

- Support HPC access, data movement, and software transition into the LVC toolkit, including command-line transfer tools, live analytics, and modeling workflows

- Help define the computing and HPC capabilities for VPG integration through requirements gathering, trade-space evaluation, and architecture design. The systems aren’t predetermined, so you’ll help shape them.

- Develop and maintain SOPs, operating policies, user guides, system diagrams, and usage/performance reports

- Provide onsite and remote support for architecture reviews, integration events, demonstrations, and experimentation

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems,  Systems Administration, Computer Science, or a related technical field

- 3–5 years of Linux systems administration or systems engineering experience

- U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. SECRET clearance, or the ability to obtain one

- DoD 8140-aligned certification (minimum CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent; legacy DoD 8570 IAT II acceptable), or the ability to obtain one within 3 months of start

- Hands-on Linux administration (Ubuntu and/or RHEL): package, user, and service management, storage, shell scripting, and troubleshooting

- Experience deploying software with Docker/Podman containers and orchestrating with Kubernetes

- Familiarity with configuration management and automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)

- Experience supporting HPC access or high-end simulation / AI development systems

- Working knowledge of networked Linux systems (TCP/IP, VLANs, VPN/remote access, DNS, firewalls) and troubleshooting tools (SSH, rsync, journalctl, tcpdump, Wireshark)

- Working understanding of system security standards (STIGs, CIS benchmarks, patch and configuration management)

Bonus Points:

- Experience with ROS / ROS 2 environments or Linux hosts used with robotic platforms

- Experience supporting autonomous vehicles, robotic platforms, or field experimentation environments

- Linux+ or RHCSA certification

- Network administration experience

- Strong communication, documentation, and customer-service skills

T otal Rewards:

- Competitive base salary

- Hybrid schedule

- Support for required professional certifications

- Hands-on work shaping HPC and simulation architecture at one of the nation’s premier DoD research sites

About MCFA:
MCFA is a trusted talent acquisition and advisory firm supporting construction, real estate, infrastructure, and public sector clients nationwide. We specialize in helping our partners attract high-impact talent to achieve operational excellence and long-term growth.

mcfa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. mcfa does not discriminate against any applicant or employee with regard to hiring, tenure of employment, promotion, transfer, selection for training, or any other terms or conditions of employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or national origin, status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal law, or on any ground protected by state or local law in each area in which mcfa maintains facilities.