Sr Principal Systems Architect (Onsite)

Posted 2026-09-14, located in San Jose, CA (Hybrid role). Relocation is not provided.

About the role

Applied Signal Technology (AST), managed by Collins Aerospace, provides trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions that secure U.S. and partner interests. Work includes high‑capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications. The environment is passionate, highly collaborative, and encourages skill expansion, creative ideas, and close work with service members while embracing integrity, innovation, and work‑life balance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, document, and implement a robust Cybersecurity mitigation strategy by ensuring Linux IT resources are patched and hardened in accordance with NIST‑800‑171 guidelines
• Collaborate with Cyber teams to maintain and monitor system availability, performance, and logs using enterprise tools
• Leverage industry standards to build out automation workflows
• Champion processes regarding hardware and software issues across physical and virtualized environments (VMWare)
• Work closely with operations, supply chain and legal teams to support mission objectives
• Support audit readiness activities and respond to security vulnerability findings
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior system administrators
• Leverage ticketing system to resolve incidents submitted by end users
• Travel up to 15%

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required (only U.S. citizens authorized to access information under this program/contract)
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience
• Ability to demonstrate administration of RHEL 7/8/9, including systemd, firewalld, and SELinux
• Ability to demonstrate administration of NetApp enterprise storage

Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise logging, monitoring, and alerting systems
• Experience with automation tools such as Ansible
• Experience with CIS/STIG benchmarks and DoD security standards
• Linux OS Certificate (RHCSA / LPIC)
• Experience with Splunk/Zabbix
• Experience with High Performance Computing (HPC) Environments
• Experience with NetApp / OnTap tools
• Experience with Enterprise Active Directory (AD) & LDAP
• Experience dealing with Managed Anti‑Virus (AV) solutions (ClamAV & SEM)
• Scripting experience (Bash, Python, Ansible) and Kickstart
• Experience hardening systems using tools like SCAP and following STIGs
• Experience supporting engineers in software, simulations, and hardware development

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits