Why Join Citizant?
At Citizant, we are on a mission to empower the United States government with cutting‑edge information technology solutions that solve its most critical challenges. Partnering primarily with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Treasury, we deliver high‑impact services across agile application development, enterprise data management, enterprise architecture, and program management. Our reputation for excellence is built on a foundation of core values—Drive, Excellence, Reputation, Responsibility, and a Better Future—and on a small‑company culture that celebrates collaboration, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of innovative outcomes.
As a Remote Senior Computer Systems Engineer & Architecture Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will become an integral part of a high‑performing, mission‑focused team that shapes the future of national security technology. You’ll enjoy the flexibility of 100 % remote work while contributing to projects that have tangible, nationwide impact.
Position Snapshot
- Title: Remote Senior Computer Systems Engineer & Architecture SME – Advanced Cloud, Security & Data Management Expert
- Location: 100 % Work‑From‑Home (U.S. based)
- Employment Type: Full‑time, Direct Hire
- Compensation: Competitive base salary ranging from $170,000 to $185,000 USD annually, plus performance‑based incentives
- Start Date: Immediate openings – we’re ready when you are
- Company: Citizant (a leading provider of professional IT services to the U.S. government)
Role Overview
In this senior‑level role, you will lead the design, implementation, and continuous optimization of sophisticated computer systems that power critical government applications. Your work will span hardware, software, networking, storage, and cloud platforms, ensuring every solution meets stringent security, compliance, scalability, and performance standards. You will serve as the technical lighthouse for cross‑functional teams, translating complex business requirements into reliable, future‑proof architectures.
Key Responsibilities
As the principal systems engineer, you will be accountable for a broad portfolio of duties:
- System Design & Architecture: Create end‑to‑end system blueprints that incorporate compute, storage, networking, and security layers. Produce detailed architecture diagrams, component specifications, and integration roadmaps that guide development teams from concept to production.
- Technology Evaluation & Selection: Conduct rigorous assessments of emerging tools, platforms, and frameworks. Compare performance benchmarks, cost models, licensing implications, and vendor roadmaps to recommend optimal technology stacks.
- Performance Optimization: Use advanced profiling, monitoring, and analytics to pinpoint bottlenecks. Design and implement tuning strategies—such as load balancing, caching, query optimization, and resource allocation—to maximize throughput and minimize latency.
- Security & Compliance Assurance: Partner with cybersecurity specialists to embed defense‑in‑depth controls, encryption, identity management, and auditing capabilities. Ensure all designs meet or exceed requirements from GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, FedRAMP, and DoD‑specific regulations.
- Scalability & Resilience Engineering: Architect systems that automatically expand to handle spikes in demand. Build redundancy, failover, and disaster‑recovery mechanisms that guarantee high availability and business continuity.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with software developers, network engineers, database administrators, product owners, and program managers. Facilitate design reviews, technical workshops, and sprint planning sessions to align architectural vision with implementation reality.
- Documentation & Reporting: Produce comprehensive technical artifacts—including design documents, API contracts, configuration guides, and operational runbooks. Deliver regular status updates and executive summaries to stakeholders.
- Continuous Improvement & Thought Leadership: Stay current on industry trends, standards, and best practices. Contribute to internal knowledge bases, mentor junior engineers, and champion innovative solutions that elevate Citizant’s technical pedigree.
Essential Qualifications
To thrive in this role, you must possess the following core credentials and experiences:
- 7‑10+ years of hands‑on experience in designing, building, and maintaining complex enterprise‑level computer systems, with a focus on database architecture, cloud infrastructure, and security engineering.
- Deep expertise in relational database management systems (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL) and modern NoSQL platforms (MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB). Proven ability to model data, design schemas, and optimize queries for high‑volume workloads.
- Demonstrated proficiency in cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform) including IaaS, PaaS, and managed database offerings such as Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, and Google Cloud Spanner.
- Strong background in system security, including implementation of encryption, IAM, vulnerability management, and compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, FedRAMP).
- Experience with infrastructure‑as‑code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions) to automate provisioning and deployment.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a track record of diagnosing complex performance issues and delivering robust, cost‑effective solutions.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to explain intricate technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
- U.S. citizenship with an active Public Trust/MBI clearance or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable timeframe.
Preferred Qualifications & Additional Assets
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Industry‑recognized certifications such as Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
- Hands‑on experience with container orchestration platforms (Kubernetes, Docker Swarm) and service mesh technologies.
- Familiarity with big‑data processing frameworks (Apache Spark, Hadoop) and data‑streaming platforms (Kafka, Kinesis).
- Proven track record of leading distributed, geographically dispersed teams in a remote‑first environment.
- Contribution to open‑source projects or publications in reputable technical journals.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Architectural Vision: Ability to craft holistic, future‑proof system designs that align with business objectives and technical constraints.
- Analytical Rigor: Strong data‑driven approach to performance tuning, capacity planning, and risk assessment.
- Security Mindset: Proactive incorporation of security controls throughout the system lifecycle.
- Collaborative Leadership: Skilled at fostering teamwork, mentoring peers, and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
- Adaptability: Comfortable navigating a fast‑changing tech landscape and pivoting quickly when new requirements emerge.
- Communication Excellence: Clear, concise documentation and effective presentation abilities for diverse audiences.
Career Growth & Professional Development
Citizant is committed to investing in the ongoing growth of its people. As a senior engineer, you will have access to:
- Mentorship Programs: Pairing with senior architects and industry veterans to accelerate skill development.
- Continuing Education Stipends: Annual budget for certifications, conferences, online courses, and technical workshops.
- Leadership Pathways: Clear trajectories toward roles such as Principal Architect, Solutions Director, or Technical Program Manager.
- Innovation Labs: Opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies (AI/ML, quantum‑ready computing, edge analytics) in a sandbox environment.
- Cross‑Domain Exposure: Work on a portfolio of projects spanning cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud migration, and enterprise integration.
Work Environment & Company Culture
Even though you will work from home, you’ll never feel isolated. Citizant cultivates a vibrant, inclusive community through:
- Virtual Collaboration Hubs: Regular video‑conferences, virtual coffee chats, and digital white‑board sessions that keep teams connected.
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Communities focused on diversity, veterans, women in tech, and more, fostering belonging and advocacy.
- Flexible Scheduling: Autonomy to align work hours with personal productivity peaks while meeting project milestones.
- Well‑being Initiatives: Access to mental‑health resources, wellness challenges, and remote‑friendly ergonomics assistance.
- Recognition Programs: Quarterly awards, spot bonuses, and public acknowledgment of outstanding contributions.
Compensation, Perks & Benefits
Citizant offers a market‑competitive total rewards package designed to support you financially, physically, and personally:
- Base salary ranging from $170K – $185K, commensurate with experience.
- Performance‑based annual bonuses tied to individual and company milestones.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with multiple plan options.
- Retirement savings plan (401(k)) with company matching contributions.
- Generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays) and flexible holidays.
- Professional development budget for certifications, conferences, and advanced coursework.
- Remote‑work stipend covering home‑office equipment, high‑speed internet, and ergonomic accessories.
- Employee assistance program (EAP) offering counseling, legal, and financial services.
How to Apply
If you are ready to apply your expertise to mission‑critical systems and join a forward‑thinking team that values impact, integrity, and innovation, we want to hear from you. Even if your background isn’t an exact match, we encourage you to submit your résumé and a brief cover letter outlining why you’re passionate about this role.
Take the next step toward an exciting, purpose‑driven career—apply today!
We Encourage You to Apply!
Even if you feel you're not a perfect match, we'd still love to hear from you. We are looking for great people to join our friendly team.
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