Systems Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Systems Engineer jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington D.C. and its immediate suburbs, where the federal government, defense agencies, and major contractors anchor one of the most active systems engineering markets in the country. Employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC maintain large presences here, hiring across national security, IT infrastructure, and mission-critical systems integration. Demand runs from entry-level associate engineers through senior principal roles, with specialties in cybersecurity architecture, command and control systems, and enterprise IT systems engineering consistently in high demand. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Position Description & Qualifications
Looking for a senior Cloud Engineer opportunity in an environment where you can make an impact every day? Discover this great opportunity with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Eligibility Support contract. Bring your expertise and collaborative skills to make an impact towards our critical mission.
Serco supports the US Department of Health and Human Services CMS contract providing eligibility support for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services. Our team develops, maintains and manages the infrastructure that is the backbone of this key piece of the CMS contract. You will be part of a team of systems engineers that works closely with the customer and other Serco teams to deliver outstanding performance within the program. The team has been recognized by CMS and the industry for their outstanding contributions to the contract and program.
This role involves designing, building, and operating scalable, secure, and resilient AWS-based solutions, with a strong emphasis on containerized workloads, infrastructure as code, and platform standardization. The engineer will play a crucial role in empowering application teams by translating their requirements into practical implementation strategies while maintaining a strong ownership of production systems.
This position builds upon our existing expertise in Linux and container-based systems and aims to advance towards a more standardized, AWS-native, and automation-driven operating model.
This is a fully remote position.
As a Systems Engineer, you will:
- Design, implement, and operate AWS-based infrastructure that supports containerized applications (ECS, EKS, Kubernetes) while ensuring solutions are designed with operability, scalability, and resilience in mind for production environments
- Implement and maintain best practices for efficient resource utilization and cost optimization, monitor and optimize system performance and reliability and Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and address operational challenges
- Collaborate with Application Development teams during engineering design discussions and Translate application requirements and user stories into clear AWS/TFE implementation strategies
- Own and support production environments, ensuring high availability and optimal performance as well as lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex production issues
- Build, manage, and optimize container platforms using Elastic Container Service (ECS), Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) while supporting the migration and modernization of workloads towards container-based architectures
- Design and maintain infrastructure using Terraform, with a strong emphasis on Terraform Enterprise (TFE), Develop reusable modules and workflows to ensure consistent infrastructure deployment
- Automate provisioning, configuration, and deployment processes across multiple AWS accounts
- Implement AWS security best practices, including Identity and Access Management (IAM), network segmentation, and encryption as well as Support compliance with relevant frameworks, such as NIST 800-53 / FedRAMP (as applicable)
- Establish standardized deployment patterns, including continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), GitOps, blue/green, and canary deployments
- Promote the adoption of standardized platform patterns and Terraform Enterprise while identifying opportunities to enhance developer experience and reduce operational friction
- Drive incremental improvements in platform capabilities and delivery processes
To be successful in this role, you must have:
- A Bachelor's degree in a related field
- 8 years of relevant experience can be considered in lieu of a degree
- 7+ years of experience in Linux systems engineering, cloud engineering, or related roles
- Strong experience with AWS services (EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with container platforms (ECS, EKS, Kubernetes, or OpenShift)
- Experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform preferred; TFE strongly preferred)
- Proven experience in incident response, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and version control systems (GitLab or similar)
- A solid grasp of networking, security, and system design principles
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams
Additional desired qualifications:
- Proficiency in observability tools (OpenSearch, Prometheus, Grafana).
- Experience in regulated environments (FedRAMP, NIST, CMS ARS).
- AWS certifications (Solutions Architect, SysOps, etc.).
- Experience supporting platform engineering or internal developer platforms.
If you are interested in working with a passionate Serco team, then submit your application now for immediate consideration. It only takes a few minutes and could change your career!
Company Overview
Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.
To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: careers@serco-na.com or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.
Candidates may be asked to present proof of identify during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.
Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email Agencies@serco-na.com.
Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities. Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
- 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Employee Assistance Plan
To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.
Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco’s external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: careers@serco-na.com.
See All 106+ Systems Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Systems Engineer JobsSystems Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MTSI6

- Everforth ECS5E
- BAE Systems USA4

- General Dynamics Information Technology4

- SMX3

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software7
- Consulting & Professional Services7
- Aerospace & Defense3
- Manufacturing2
- Insurance1
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active DoD security clearance, typically Secret or Top Secret/SCI
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field
- Experience with systems integration, requirements analysis, and lifecycle management
- Proficiency with MBSE tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, or equivalent modeling software
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition frameworks, JCIDS, or federal systems development standards
- Relevant certifications such as INCOSE CSEP or CompTIA Security+ for cleared environments
Systems Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems engineer in District of Columbia?
Most systems engineer roles in D.C. require a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. No state-issued license is required, but the D.C. market places heavy weight on federal security clearances, which employers typically sponsor after hire. Pursuing INCOSE certification and gaining exposure to DoD or federal IT frameworks through internships or contractor roles is the most direct path into the local market.
Which companies hire systems engineers in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring systems engineers in District of Columbia right now include MTSI, Everforth ECS, and BAE Systems USA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The D.C. market is dominated by large federal contractors and defense firms that maintain long-term government program offices in the region.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most systems engineer jobs?
The cities with the most systems engineer openings in District of Columbia are Washington, Washington Navy Yard, and Naval Research Laboratory. Washington D.C. itself drives the largest volume due to the concentration of federal agencies and defense headquarters, while Northern Virginia suburbs like Arlington and McLean contribute heavily because major contractors have planted their largest offices there to stay close to the Pentagon and intelligence community.
Are there remote systems engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they're limited. About 50% of systems engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the reality that many roles here involve classified work, government facilities access, or hands-on integration labs that require physical presence. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work are requirements documentation, modeling, and systems analysis tasks that don't touch classified networks.
How can I get hired as a systems engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a junior systems engineer or systems analyst associate role with a federal contractor, where firms like Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run structured new-graduate hiring programs. A bachelor's in a relevant engineering or technical discipline is typically the floor requirement. Lateral moves from adjacent roles such as IT administrator, network engineer, or technical program analyst are common. Earning CompTIA Security+ early and pursuing a clearance-eligible background gives candidates a distinct edge in this market.
Where can I find and apply to systems engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to systems engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the area. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and clearance level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 106+ Systems Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
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