Computer Systems Engineer III

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is seeking a Computer Systems Engineer to join the Enterprise Technology Special Programs Office in support of JPL’s National Partnerships Office. As part of the IT Special Programs team, the candidate will provide daily operational and expert support for highly available COTS and custom applications, systems, and platforms to solve a wide array of customer needs and requests and enable projects to perform and deliver on milestones and deadlines to non-NASA sponsors. The Computer Systems Engineer is responsible for effective installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of software and systems along with related support infrastructure. This individual also participates in technical research and development to enable continuing innovation within the infrastructure. This individual ensures that software systems and related procedures adhere to organizational values and sponsor and cybersecurity requirements. Candidates must be self-starters and be able to solve complex problems with minimal supervision.

The Computer Systems Engineer will:

• Provide expert support of cleared environment applications and services, as well as software and solution development capabilities, to include but not limited to:

  • Experience maintaining core enterprise COTS and custom developed applications in highly available environments

  • Experience automating deployment, patching, and configuration management using Ansible and integrating various technologies including VMware, Jenkins, and Ansible AWX

  • Manage, maintain, and design deployment of various customer software support programs including Gitlab, Artifactory, Invgate ServiceDesk, Invgate Insights, and Atlassian products Jira and Confluence

  • Deploy and maintain various authentication methods utilizing LDAP, Active Directory, Kerberos, and RSA multifactor authentication

  • Develop middleware tools in Python, BASH, PowerShell to unify multiple disparate systems and simplify the process of account deployment. Other programming languages are a plus.

  • Maintain storage and virtualization infrastructure on NetApp, VMware, and VergeIO

  • Maintain container environments using Docker and Podman

  • Streamline OS upgrades in RedHat Enterprise Linux utilizing Ansible for virtual and bare-metal workstations

  • Demonstrate competence working in Agile development environments

  • Contribute to the regular maintenance and support of many other enterprise applications as well as help to maintain the underlying application infrastructure in conjunction with the System Administrators

• Provide Tier 2/3 (Escalation) problem identification, diagnosis and resolution of problems. Assist as needed with Tier 1 (Help Desk) and provide mentoring and leadership for Tier 1 staff

• Participate on teams in the analysis and design of new large-scale deployments of new and/or modifications to existing systems

• Perform high level analysis of software systems and requirements, processes, and characteristics for the purpose of ensuring efficient and effective software design and operation

• Evaluate system requirements regarding impact to existing environment and suggest improvements or alternatives

• Have extensive experience with IT security and related technologies to ensure compliance with regulations and government sponsor security requirements

• Must be accomplished in all areas of analysis, design, installation, implementation, configuration, tuning, administration, operation, and security of software systems

• Be available to work on-site in a team environment of internal and external co-workers

Experience/Education

• Typically requires a bachelor’s with 6 years of related experience; master’s with 4 years of related experience; or PhD with 2 years of related experience.

​Candidate may be required to:

• Respond to after-hours requests as required in a 24 x 7 environment

• Be available to work non-standard hours; early hours, after hours, weeknights, or weekends as needed

Required Certifications: Must have a current IAT Level II/III, or IAM Level I/II/III 8140 Cyber Workforce Management Certification (examples: Security+, CASP, Cloud+, CISSP, etc.)

Required Clearance: Candidate must have an active TS/SCI clearance

Current Counter-Intelligence (CI) Poly is highly desired. Must be willing to submit to a CI Poly

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated experience supporting space missions

• Have extensive experience supporting users Windows or Linux VM’s, Workstations and Servers.

• Have extensive experience working in heterogeneous computing environments. (i.e. Linux, Windows, Macintosh)

• Demonstrate ability to juggle multiple responsibilities effectively

• Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Have used or worked in environments employing configuration management and/or configuration control measures

• Able to write detailed instructions and documentation regarding software maintenance and troubleshooting  

• Experience supporting computing or networking systems in challenging environments with high stakes outcomes

• Experience supporting senior officers in US military services or Federal agencies

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$118,768 - $151,320

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.