Systems Engineer Dulles, VA or State College, PA Active TS/SCI Compensation Range: $150,000 – $175,000
Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation’s toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don’t look any further than Cornerstone Defense.
Job Responsibilities: • The senior systems engineer will execute multiple aspects of the systems engineering discipline, to include support of software development and test, requirements traceability into software functions, system performance analysis, and system integration and test activities to ensure system requirements achieve validation • The system engineer will interact with the agile development teams regarding technical considerations, risks, and issue closure associated with the system capabilities and features • The candidate must also possess the ability to multi-task, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, effectively network, and communicate to the appropriate levels of the organization and support schedules and delivery milestones Basic Qualifications: • Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and 5 years of prior relevant experience • Experience defining system requirements for Agile software development and test teams, ensuring verification through acceptance criteria • Engineering experience within the full systems and/or software engineering lifecycles • Experience in system requirement creation and decomposition of capabilities into features with acceptance criteria using agile development tools like JIRA, CONFLUENCE, and JAMA • An active TS/SCI security clearance is required prior to start date. Preferred Qualifications: • Familiarity utilizing Cloud environments, tools and utilizing associated processes and procedures • Systems engineering experience in DoD architecture and service-oriented system architectures development program and platforms • Experience using Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), • Experience in performing Project Management • Current Certification in Security + • Experience with Containerized Application, Orchestration and Virtual Environments, • Experience working in a DevSecOps environment, utilizing associated practices and procedures • Experience working with RedHat Operating Systems • Experience with Virus scanning application and execution • Experience working with NIST 800-53, Privacy Framework and Cybersecurity Framework requirements Company Benefits: Cornerstone Defense offers a comprehensive list of benefits, designed to give employees and their families several options to choose from when selecting benefits that best fit their needs. These offerings include not only a full suite of the traditional Medical/Dental/Vision insurances, but also a number of other benefits and perks to include, but not limited to: A 401(K) plan with a company match, tuition and training assistances, paid vacation/leave, a fitness reimbursement program, college savings plan, commuter benefits, financial advisory services, flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, STD/LTD coverage, life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance programs, life financial planning assistance, and legal resources.
Location:Longmont , Colorado
Type:Contract
Job#3717
Database Administrator Location: Longmont, CO Clearance: Secret but TS/SCI preferred Schedule: 9/80 Salary: $130k – $165k
Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Senior Database Engineer with a minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in database infrastructure engineering to support a complex ground infrastructure program within a national security mission space. In this role, you will take the lead in designing, implementing, and maintaining secure, scalable, and highly available database solutions across critical systems. This is an infrastructure-focused role requiring expertise in enterprise-grade database engineering, with an emphasis on system performance, security, and fault tolerance. The ideal candidate is a self-driven technical leader who can collaborate across engineering disciplines and contribute to long-term architecture and automation efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
Design, implement, and maintain secure, high-availability database infrastructures across development, integration, and production environments.
Manage enterprise-class databases using PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.
Implement clustering, replication, automated failover, and backup/recovery procedures to support system availability and data integrity.
Apply cybersecurity compliance requirements, including implementation of DISA STIGs or equivalent database hardening standards.
Collaborate with software, systems, cybersecurity, and DevSecOps teams to integrate database platforms with evolving system architectures.
Create and maintain architecture documentation, technical procedures, and operational guides (e.g., CONOPS).
Lead database automation efforts using scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
Support Agile development cycles and CI/CD processes, including configuration and change management.
Qualifications:
7+ years of professional experience in database engineering or administration for enterprise or mission-critical systems.
Expertise in at least two major platforms: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server.
Strong Linux experience, specifically with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
Proven success designing and supporting high-availability and fault-tolerant database systems.
Experience implementing security controls and system hardening in alignment with government security standards (e.g., STIGs).
Proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
Excellent collaboration and communication skills in cross-functional technical environments.
Experience with container orchestration platforms such as Red Hat OpenShift or Kubernetes.
Familiarity with virtualization technologies like KVM or VMware.
Background supporting secure defense, aerospace, or satellite ground systems.
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
Working knowledge of Agile methodologies, DevSecOps practices, and CI/CD toolchains.
Familiarity with security classification and data protection policies.
Experience writing technical documentation, including system procedures and CONOP
Type:Contract
Job#3699
Senior Linux Systems Administrator Aurora, CO Active TS/SCI with Poly Compensation Range: $125,000 – $145,000
Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation’s toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don’t look any further than Cornerstone Defense.
Job Responsibilities:
Supporting a Raytheon program in a classified environment as a Linux System Administrator.
Responsibilities include building, maintaining, and securing Information Technology systems and directly supporting customer mission-critical capabilities.
You will work closely with program developers and system engineers to research issues, determine root causes and implement solutions to system problems.
Must be able to support occasional after hour maintenance and on-call support and must be able to lift up to 35 pounds in support of hardware installations.
Occasional travel may be required for installation support. This position is an onsite role.
Basic Qualifications:
Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience or a master’s degree and minimum of 3 years of prior relevant experience.
Active and transferable U.S. government issued TS/SCI with poly security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
Must have an active DoD 8570 IAT Level 2 certification (or higher) on start date. IAT Level 2 requires one or more of the following Professional Certifications: Security+ CE, CCNA Security, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP, CySA+, CND.
Experience administering Red Hat Linux based systems with minimal support, to include patching, creating/maintaining RPM packages, performance tuning, networking, user management (LDAP), and security hardening
Preferred Qualifications:
Using and developing with automation tools/frameworks such as Terraform, Ansible, and Chef as well as scripting – particularly in Bash and Python
Experience administering Windows based systems
Experience with pipeline tools such as Jenkins and Artifactory
Demonstrated ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems with efficiency
Deployment and administration of systems in Amazon WebServices (AWS)
Company Benefits: Cornerstone Defense offers a comprehensive list of benefits, designed to give employees and their families several options to choose from when selecting benefits that best fit their needs. These offerings include not only a full suite of the traditional Medical/Dental/Vision insurances, but also a number of other benefits and perks to include, but not limited to: A 401(K) plan with a company match, tuition and training assistances, paid vacation/leave, a fitness reimbursement program, college savings plan, commuter benefits, financial advisory services, flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, STD/LTD coverage, life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance programs, life financial planning assistance, and legal resources.
Type:Contract
Job#3698
Software Engineer Aurora, CO Active TS/SCI w/ Poly Compensation Range: $125,000 – $140,000
Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation’s toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don’t look any further than Cornerstone Defense.
Job Responsibilities:
Create both the front end for user to interface and the back end for processing and data storage
Create solutions for continuous integration/continuous deployment pipeline and for scalability to meet surge demands
Conduct exploratory data analysis on new sources of ISR data, creating discovery opportunities for optimization of AI and ML applications
Create, maintain, and track the design of data pipelines utilized to streamline OPIR data ingestion, scale data streams, and develop predictive analytic products
Standardize process, scalability with local teams, and monitoring and maintenance of operational metrics.
Facilitate data collection, cyber security compliance, and communication
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including data scientists, analysts, network engineers, and software engineers to understand data requirements and develop scalable data solutions
Develop, maintain, and optimize ELT processes to ensure the timely and accurate movement of data from source systems to data warehouses and other storage solutions
Oversee and maintain the day-to-day operation of Linux-based network servers, cloud-based environments, and virtual environments
Implement, administer, and troubleshoot security, data recovery, and network infrastructure solutions
Required Skills:
BS degree or six years applicable software experience.
Demonstrated experience creating, implementing, and maintaining scripts for process automation, infrastructure monitoring, and proactive reporting (JavaScript/Python/Perl, etc.).
Software development in JAVA and/or C++ within the context of the full software development lifecycle.
Experience in a DevOps role and environment. Prior knowledge and implementation of Kubernetes.
Prior experience supporting design, development, integration, and maintenance of new software functionality.
Location:Reston
Type:Contract
Job#3331
Information System Security Manager Clearance: TS/SCI with Polygraph Reston, VA
Supporting the Most Exciting and Meaningful Missions in the World
Cyber and Information Security Specialist (INFOSEC) perform functions in support of the directorate’s Information System Security Manager (ISSM) and deliver outcomes as follows:
Review and analyze systems architecture diagrams and networks.
Support Assessment and Authorization (A&A) requirements and process and apply ICD 503, NISPOM, and other federal guidelines in support of systems used at contractor facilities.
Assist program systems owners and/or service providers throughout the risk management framework (RMF), including the assessment and authorization (A&A) processes, as follows:
Provide advice to program system owners and/or service providers on the creation of required system documentation or body of evidence; review and provide recommendation for approval or disapproval, as appropriate.
Assess security and privacy controls and data protection in sponsor information systems and environments of operation as part of the initial security assessment and during operational changes affecting information systems’ security posture.
Assist the security control accessors (SCA), as appropriate, in performing security systems assessments and reviewing risk elements in the executive Risk System (ERS) report.
Create plans of action & milestones (POA&Ms) and/or request risk acceptance through a security assessor(SA) , who will certify the ERS report to the appropriate authorizing official (AO) or designated AO.
Regarding the RMF and A&A processes, produce an annual A&A report of trends, challenges, and risk with recommended mitigation and process improvements.
Provide oversight and guidance to ensure compliance with program information security regulations and policies on processes and request, such as Data Transfer Request; Access Request; Service/Change Request; Purchase Request; Accountable Property Management; Waivers, including medical devises and introduction (use) of equipment /devises into SCIF; and Equipment Transport. Produce a Weekly Activity Report.
Facilitate development, maintenance and security review of AIS security plans for computers, networks, and information systems deployed and used at contractor facilities, ensuring that sponsor and program approving signatures are acquired and documented.
Conduct technical exchange meetings to facilitate AIS security solutions for both industrial contractors and government systems; and produce comprehensive solutions to technically complex systems and challenges.
Ensure documentation is complete and accurate in accordance with sponsor and program AIS policies and requirements.
As necessary, support the investigation of virus/malware alerts/incidents to determine root cause, entry point of code, damage risk, and report this information.
Write reports based on technical analysis of sponsor or industrial partners systems, and as applicable provide recommendations for mitigating issues in the future.
Analysis systems , including forensically, for malware, misuse, and/or unauthorized activity.
Ensure discovered cyber incidents and data spills are reported per program SOP; support investigations and remediation/clean up as necessary, and provide guidance in coordination with program security management and other groups as appropriate.
Provide information security training and refine, edit, and maintain training material, as necessary to ensure it is up to date with current policies, regulations, and best practices.
Participate in project review meetings and provide technical cyber security advise/expertise to program personnel.
Advise on technical and performance characteristics of new technologies, as relates to sponsor policies and regulations.
Review complex sponsor and industrial partners system designs for security risk and compliance with sponsor policy and regulations; propose resolution and preventive strategies.
Communicate complex technical concepts, project information, and security policy clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Provide briefings and/or training on sponsor’s INFOSEC policies and regulations.
Provide a quarterly Security Control Status Report (SCSR) that identifies security risk and trends through the ranking of the 77 Control Families.
