Data Center Engineer

Piper Companies is seeking a Datacenter Engineer to join a leading organization within the cybersecurity and critical infrastructure sector for a remote contract-to-hire opportunity based in Reston, VA. The role supports highly secure computing environments, assisting with the deployment, administration, and maintenance of mission-critical systems used to protect sensitive government-regulated information and applications.

Responsibilities

• Configure, deploy, and maintain secure network and server infrastructure across classified and regulated environments.
• Troubleshoot and support routers, switches, firewalls, virtualized platforms, and enterprise systems to ensure operational reliability.
• Assist with system accreditation efforts and support compliance initiatives aligned with government security standards and regulations.
• Perform vulnerability remediation, patch management, and ongoing system health monitoring for Windows and Linux environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build, enhance, and sustain secure datacenter operations supporting critical business functions.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance with current Counterintelligence Polygraph required.
• Experience supporting secure environments governed by NISPOM, ICD, DIACAP, or similar federal security frameworks.
• Strong background administering enterprise networking technologies including routers, switches, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, and Windows Server environments.
• Hands-on experience with VMware vSphere virtualization and mixed Windows/Linux infrastructure administration.
• DoD 8570-compliant certification such as Security+, CISSP, SSCP, CAP, CISA, GSEC, GSLC, or equivalent.
• Proven experience with vulnerability management, system patching, and security hardening practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience with technologies such as Splunk, McAfee ePO, Jira, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), or encryption technologies is highly preferred.

Pay

Salary Range: $145,000 - $176,000

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Additional benefit offerings based on eligibility