Staff Systems Engineer

About the role

The Staff Systems Engineer is a senior hands-on technical leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and evolving complex software and platform systems. This position operates across cloud infrastructure, developer platforms, security controls, and application teams, serving as both a deep technical contributor and an architectural leader.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement system architectures spanning cloud infrastructure, platforms, and applications.
• Translate mission, security, and operational requirements into practical technical designs.
• Develop and maintain reference architectures, design patterns, and system blueprints.
• Evaluate architectural tradeoffs involving scalability, reliability, security, and cost.
• Support architecture reviews and guide teams toward sustainable system designs.
• Build and operate cloud-native systems using infrastructure-as-code and automation.
• Develop prototypes and proofs of concept to validate architectural approaches.
• Contribute directly to complex implementations when systems cross team or domain boundaries.
• Troubleshoot and resolve high-impact production and integration issues.
• Support database and platform-level concerns in partnership with cloud and data engineers.
• Collaborate with Cloud Engineering and Build Platform teams to define secure, scalable platforms.
• Help establish guardrails, golden paths, and secure-by-default patterns.
• Integrate security, compliance, and observability requirements into system designs.
• Partner with ISSOs to translate policy and RMF controls into implementable solutions.
• Serve as a technical mentor and force multiplier for engineers across teams.
• Influence technical roadmaps and platform evolution.
• Participate in building the long-term architecture and platform function, with growth toward Principal-level scope as the team expands.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience designing and delivering complex software or platform systems.
• Strong experience with cloud-native architectures and distributed systems.
• Hands-on experience with: Cloud platforms (AWS preferred), Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Helm, similar).
• Experience designing systems with security, compliance, and operational constraints.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to engineers, leadership, and customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense or other regulated environments.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices, CI/CD platforms (e.g., GitLab), and automated security tooling.
• Experience with database platforms (PostgreSQL/PostGIS, managed or self-hosted).
• Experience mentoring senior engineers or leading technical initiatives across teams.
• GIS, geospatial, or data-intensive system experience is a plus.

Clearance Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen and willing and eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance at the Secret or Top-Secret level. Existing clearance is preferred.

Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• Professional development programs.
• Training and certification reimbursement.
• Extended and floating holiday schedule.
• Paid time off and Paid volunteer time.
• Health and Wellness Benefits including options for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, access to Wellness, Mental Health, and Employee Assistance Programs.
• 100% Company Paid Benefits that include STD, LTD, and Basic Life insurance.
• 401(k) Plan Options with employer matching.
• Incentive bonuses for eligible clearances, performance, and employee referrals.
• A company culture that values your individual strengths, career goals, and contributions to the team.

About TheIncLab

TheIncLab ("TIL") is the first human-centered artificial intelligence (AI+X) lab. We engineer complex, integrated solutions that combine cutting-edge AI technologies with emerging systems-of-systems to solve some of the most difficult challenges in the defense and aerospace industries. Our work spans diverse technological landscapes, from rapid ideation and prototyping to deployment. At TIL, we foster a culture of relentless optimism. No problem is too hard, no project is too big, and no challenge is too complex to tackle. This is possible due to the positive attitude of our teams. We approach every problem with a "yes" attitude and focus on results. Our motto, "demo or die," encompasses the idea that failure is not an option. We do all of this with a work ethic rooted in kindness and professionalism.