Who are we?

Independent Software is a consulting, product, and solutions firm dedicated to the practical application of software and system engineering technologies to solve complex problems. We bring together world class engineers with proven engineering best practices, domain expertise, commercial technologies, and proven agile management approaches to create high value solutions aimed at helping our customers meet their most critical business and mission objectives.

Why Independent Software?

We are focused on continual learning and evolution. We don’t do things because “that’s the way we’ve always done things”; we listen to our employees and adapt to the changing marketplace. We look at the big picture and encourage our engineers to get training and certifications in emerging technologies that will help shape our customer’s mission.

We’ve been profitable year after year. We’re always on the lookout for great engineers to join the team and we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of what we do. We focus on recruiting talented people, treating them right, and then allowing them to do what they do best. No red tape. No micromanagement. Smart people want to work with smart people, and we love people who are passionate about what they do and finding ways to do it better.

Top Reasons to Work at Independent Software:

Great people deserve even better benefits, from comprehensive healthcare coverage and generous leave time to discounts with all our vendors.
You are not just a job title. That's why we tip the work-life balance scale in your favor. It's not about being billable, it's about being valuable.
Whether you're working on-site or in our offices, your role at Independent Software is just as critical to our success as your coworker's.
We're constantly researching and implementing the latest technology, so you've always got the right tools at your disposal.
As we've grown, we've retained that small company feel. When we say we have an open-door policy, we actually mean it.
Independent Software is comprised of wonderfully generous folks. We believe in supporting the causes our employees care about. Bring us an opportunity to help and we'll listen.
Teamwork got us where we are today. Our collaborative environment allows you to maximize your true potential.
The work we do is exciting, critical stuff. No matter your role at Independent Software, you're helping us keep the nation safe and secure.
We have a history of great achievement, and, with each year, our company gets even bigger and better. As we grow, so does the opportunity for our employees.
We host a variety of fun employee and family events throughout the year to say thanks for all that you do to make Independent Software a technology leader as well as a phenomenal place to work.

Benefits:

Competitive salary
Company Sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
Company Paid Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Your retirement plan is an important benefit you shouldn’t overlook. We offer a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust that offers a powerful way to enhance your long-term financial well-being by investing in yourself. We offer immediate eligibility and company matching.
A generous Paid Time Off and Holiday package
Paid training! We encourage all employees to seek out training opportunities like conferences, certification courses and seminars.
We truly believe the right work-life balance can exist, and it's here at Independent Software. Our work is extremely important, but your job is just a part of who you are. When you enjoy your life outside of our walls, you're at your best the next time you walk through our doors. We do all we can to assure that happens every day.

Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

System Engineer, Level 3

Annapolis Junction, MD

Full Time

System Engineering

Experienced

What You Will Do:

As a Systems Engineer Level 3 at Independent Software, you will support the administration, engineering, security, and operational sustainment of mission-critical Linux infrastructure across secure enterprise and real-time operational environments. This role is heavily focused on Linux systems engineering within containerized, cloud-hosted, virtualized, and dataflow-processing environments supporting DoD and Intelligence Community missions.

You will work closely with users, customers, and a small mission-focused engineering team to maintain system integrity, performance, security, and operational availability across enterprise and mission systems. This position requires strong troubleshooting skills, deep Linux systems expertise, and experience supporting secure operational environments requiring SSP compliance and STE/STN support.

The ideal candidate enjoys working across infrastructure layers including operating systems, networking, storage, security, and application support while solving complex operational challenges in secure mission environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Support systems engineering and system administration activities across secure Linux enterprise environments
Maintain system integrity, availability, performance, and security across mission-critical Linux systems
Support and maintain containerized and cloud-hosted environments, including Kubernetes-based deployments and AWS infrastructure
Administer and support virtualization platforms and enterprise storage management solutions
Configure and troubleshoot IP networking, routing, switching, and firewall technologies within Linux-centric environments
Support application deployments and provide advanced troubleshooting across OS, network, storage, and security layers
Implement and maintain system hardening, PKI/TLS configurations, cryptographic policies, and secure configuration baselines
Ensure systems comply with SSP documentation requirements and STE/STN security standards
Support system patching, vulnerability remediation, and secure operational sustainment activities
Troubleshoot complex system, network, application, and dataflow issues while escalating operational risks and outages as required
Support mission dataflow systems, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing data pipelines
Assist in the operation and support of RF systems, signal transport components, and mission transport environments
Support logging, monitoring, and analytics platforms such as ELK / Elasticsearch for system observability and troubleshooting
Develop and maintain operational procedures, system documentation, and technical implementation guidance
Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and security teams to support mission objectives

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Strong Linux systems engineering and administration experience
Experience supporting containerized and cloud-hosted environments
Experience supporting virtualization platforms and enterprise storage management solutions
Strong understanding of IP networking, routing, switching, and firewall technologies
Strong understanding of PKI, TLS, cryptographic principles, and Linux crypto policies
Experience supporting SSP compliance documentation and STE/STN security requirements on Linux systems
Strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure layers including operating systems, networking, storage, and applications
Experience supporting enterprise applications within secure Linux environments
Familiarity with Kubernetes, AWS, and modern infrastructure technologies
Experience with automation and configuration management tools such as Ansible or similar platforms is a plus
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within operational engineering teams

Education and Experience:

One of the following combinations is required:

Bachelor’s degree in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus six (6) years of systems engineering experience; OR
High School Diploma or GED, plus ten (10) years of general systems engineering experience across any process area; OR
Master’s degree in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus four (4) years of systems engineering experience; OR
PhD in a qualified engineering field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus two (2) years of systems engineering experience.

Qualified engineering fields include, but are not limited to: Aeronautics, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Software, Systems, and Engineering Management. Comparable or closely related engineering degrees will be considered.

Related disciplines include, but are not limited to: Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, and Physics. Comparable or closely related degrees will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supporting real-time or near-real-time data processing environments
Experience supporting RF systems, antenna hardware, or signal transport systems
Experience with dataflow processing platforms or mission transport systems
Experience supporting ELK / Elasticsearch monitoring and analytics environments
Experience supporting secure DoD or Intelligence Community operational systems

Clearance Requirement:

Must possess an active TS SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role

Why Choose Independent Software:

At Independent Software, our people are the mission. We’ve built a company around collaboration, integrity, and innovation and we make sure our team has the tools and support to grow, succeed, and thrive.

When you join us, you will:

Support critical national security missions that matter
Be part of a close-knit, employee-first culture where your voice is heard
Expand your skills through ongoing training, mentorship, and career development
Enjoy competitive compensation, generous benefits, and work-life balance

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of something bigger.

Apply today.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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