Job Title: Unix Engineer Job Location: Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO Clearance: Secret Schedule: 9/80 Onsite Salary: $125K – 155K Certification Requirement: Must hold a DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+, CASP, CAP, CISSP) prior to start
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.
Position Overview: We are seeking a Unix Systems Engineer to provide hands-on systems administration and engineering support at Peterson SFB. This role requires expertise across both Solaris and Linux environments, supporting mission-critical systems through daily maintenance, patching, troubleshooting, automation, and cyber compliance. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system integrity, security, and operational excellence across a dynamic enterprise infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
Perform daily systems administration tasks including monitoring, patching, performance tuning, and help desk support.
Build, configure, and maintain both physical and virtual Solaris and Linux systems.
Develop and maintain administrative automation scripts using tools such as Perl, Python, PowerShell, or VBScript.
Manage and troubleshoot complex file systems (ZFS, UFS), including partitioning and resizing.
Provide operational support for VEEAM storage appliances.
Configure and manage LDAP clients and servers; maintain directory services infrastructure.
Integrate Solaris systems with Active Directory for authentication and access control.
Configure and manage Solaris virtualization using PDOM/LDOM technologies.
Apply cybersecurity best practices, including STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation (Nessus/ACAS), and maintaining cyber compliance documentation.
Conduct periodic evaluations of COTS software to ensure relevance, compliance, and supportability.
Support development, integration, and deployment of periodic system releases.
Create and maintain system documentation, architecture diagrams, and engineering design documents.
Provide technical support and root cause analysis for system-related issues.
Basic Qualifications:
IAT Level II certification (Security+, CASP, CAP, or CISSP) in accordance with DoD 8570.01-M.
7+ years of Unix/Linux systems administration experience in enterprise or secure environments.
Hands-on experience with Solaris and Linux OS administration.
Strong scripting experience with at least one language: Python, Perl, PowerShell, or VBScript.
Experience with managing file systems such as ZFS and UFS.
Knowledge of LDAP management and integration.
Familiarity with system hardening, STIGs, and vulnerability remediation tools (e.g., Nessus, ACAS).
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Solaris virtualization (PDOM/LDOM).
Familiarity with Active Directory integration in Unix environments.
Experience supporting and managing backup solutions such as VEEAM.
Background working in DoD or classified environments.
Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
Ability to work both independently and within a team setting to solve complex technical problems.
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.
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.
Program Overview: We are seeking a Cyber Systems Security Engineer (CSSE) to support a MILSATCOM program. This position plays a critical role in protecting space and ground assets from cyber threats and ensuring mission continuity through proactive cybersecurity engineering, monitoring, and risk mitigation. This role involves a blend of systems engineering, cyber threat analysis, vulnerability remediation, and compliance support. You will operate in a highly secure, mission-critical DoD environment with direct involvement in the cyber defense of national space communication systems.
Job Responsibilities:
Maintain continuous awareness of current and emerging cyber threats relevant to space and ground systems.
Analyze threat intelligence to assess potential system impacts and recommend mitigation strategies.
Develop and recommend Courses of Action (COAs) to address and prioritize cybersecurity risks.
Create and maintain cyber incident response and mission recovery procedures.
Support the development of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for cyber event response and mission continuity.
Support the integration and operation of intrusion detection/protection systems (HIDS, NIDS, IPS) within MILSATCOM environments.
Analyze and report data from tools such as DISA Endpoint Security Solution (ESS) and ACAS.
Serve as the operational point of contact for the cybersecurity tool suite (Cybersecurity Subsystem – CSS).
Administer access and monitoring for CSS tools such as Splunk, ACAS, and ESS.
Conduct Tier 1 troubleshooting of cybersecurity tools and services.
Prepare and maintain RMF artifact delivery schedules and submission tracking.
Develop and update system documentation, including hardware/software baselines, PPSM, and network diagrams.
Coordinate directly with Information System Security Officers (ISSOs) and ISSMs to ensure RMF compliance.
Perform network vulnerability scans, analyze findings, and prioritize remediation efforts.
Execute STIG scanning and baseline hardening activities across operating systems and applications.
Deliver fully tested vulnerability patches and virus signature updates on a regular and emergency basis, with Government approval.
Support creation and updates of Security Assessment Plans (SAPs) and related artifacts.
Provide cybersecurity engineering expertise in technical meetings and working groups.
Collaborate with government personnel and other engineering teams to support ongoing system sustainment and cybersecurity posture improvements.
Required Skills:
Minimum 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, preferably supporting DoD or space-related systems
Experience with RMF, DISA STIGs, and system accreditation processes
Proficiency with vulnerability management tools such as ACAS, Splunk, and ESS
Experience with network and host-based intrusion detection/prevention systems (HIDS/NIDS/IPS)
Strong knowledge of DoD cybersecurity frameworks and best practices
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
Preferred Qualifications:
CISSP, CASP+, or CEH certification
Familiarity with satellite communications (SATCOM) systems and mission ground segments
Experience supporting MILSATCOM or other protected tactical communications systems
Knowledge of Agile and DevSecOps methodologies
Familiarity with scripting languages (PowerShell, Python, etc.)
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:Colorado Springs, Colorado
Type:Contract
Job#3695
Job Title: Systems Integration & Test Engineer Job Location: Colorado Springs, CO Clearance: TS/SCI Compensation Range: $125K – $160K
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.
Program Overview: We are seeking a System Integration & Test Engineer to provide engineering support for a Satellite Combined Orbital Sustainment program, focused on ensuring mission readiness for protected MILSATCOM capabilities. This role supports both space and ground system segments, and is critical to the reliability, security, and performance of Department of Defense communications infrastructure. This position involves the integration, testing, and sustainment of complex IT systems in both physical and virtualized environments. You will work on-site at Peterson Space Force Base and be part of a high-impact, multi-disciplinary engineering team operating in a secure, mission-focused environment.
Job Responsibilities:
Develop and implement integrated IT solutions that span the full system development lifecycle: design, development, integration, testing, deployment, and support.
Perform system upgrades, COTS software installations, and patch deployments across classified environments.
Coordinate the integration of new software and hardware systems into operational space and ground segment architectures.
Support Windows-based system environments, including maintenance, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Design and implement system automation and administration scripts to improve deployment repeatability and reduce manual effort.
Write, read, and debug PowerShell scripts; work with other automation tools as needed.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure systems meet all compliance and accreditation requirements, including STIG implementation and RMF processes.
Perform rigorous system testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting in classified environments.
Support Agile-based workflows, participating in planning, development, testing, and sprint review sessions.
Provide technical documentation, system diagrams, and engineering artifacts in accordance with program and government standards.
Required Skills:
U.S. Citizenship and active TS/SCI clearance required
5+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, or IT support in a secure or classified government environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Windows Server and Desktop OS support.
Experience with COTS software deployment and system-level integration in DoD systems.
Strong scripting capabilities (e.g., PowerShell, Python, or Bash) for task automation.
Familiarity with virtualized infrastructure (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity compliance, including DISA STIGs, RMF, and system accreditation workflows.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities in high-consequence environments.
Preferred Skills:
Experience supporting MILSATCOM or other DoD satellite/space-based systems.
Understanding of protected satellite communications systems or secure ground segment technologies.
Familiarity with DevSecOps practices, automation frameworks, and infrastructure as code.
Exposure to Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Git) and continuous integration environments.
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.
