Associate IT Systems Engineer

About the Role

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking an Associate IT Systems Engineer to join our Advanced Capabilities team in Arlington, VA. The Associate will help build, integrate, secure, and maintain various IT systems, both in the IDT office and at customer sites. The role also requires creating and updating processes through automation to support daily operations.

• All applicants must be able to obtain and maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
• This is an on‑site position requiring a minimum of five days in the office in Arlington, VA.

• Department:
  Engineering
• Employment Type:
  
  Full Time
• Location:
  
  Arlington, VA
• Compensation: $74,000 – $150,000 per year (range varies with experience)

• Rack and install various server and networking devices within standard server racks and pelican-based enclosures.
• Perform regular server updates, patch management, and software installations.
• Operate and maintain both virtual and physical servers running Red Hat, Windows, and VMWare products.
• Install and provision newly purchased hardware equipment.
• Implement, maintain, and review security processes to ensure compliance and appropriate user permissions.
• Develop and maintain golden images—including operating system images and virtual machines—to support business activities.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation of systems and networks for technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent professional experience.
• 1+ years of full‑time professional experience in systems administration or system engineering.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time as needed.
• Experience in a VMWare environment or similar virtualization platform.
• Experience troubleshooting network issues of varying complexity.
• Proficiency with Bash, C, and/or Python scripting.
• Understanding of common TCP/IP concepts, including TCP, UDP, VLANs, DHCP, and routing.
• Experience provisioning and installing both physical devices and virtual machines.
• Security+, CCNA, or equivalent IAT Level II certification.
• Experience with hardening devices and updating DISA STIG checklists.
• Experience patching and remediating vulnerabilities in a closed network.

• Strong understanding of Red Hat or similar Linux distributions.
• Experience working with networking within a tactical system.
• Experience with Cisco switching, including Virtual Port Channeling, VLANs, and VRFs.
• Experience with PKI authentication concepts.
• Ability to identify hardware and/or software for purchase to meet specific use cases.
• Experience with Ruckus‑based network devices (plus).
• Experience with VMWare NSX‑T (plus).
• Experience with configuration automation tools such as Ansible, Power Shell, Chef, Salt, or Puppet.

$74,000 – $116,000 or $90,000 – $150,000 per year. The exact figure depends on experience, skills, and education. The posted ranges do not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits.

• Generous benefits package
• Competitive PTO and paid holidays
• 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
• 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off each month)
• Tuition assistance reimbursement program
• Professional development resources
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits
• Organization‑wide monthly tech connect events
• Annual employee recognition awards
• Regular social events and catered lunches

IDT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is a leading defense technology company focused on rapidly delivering mission‑critical software and systems solutions to the U.S. government. The company specializes in automation, digital engineering, and enabling the rapid integration of advanced capabilities into complex weapon and combat systems. These solutions empower the warfighter to field, operate, and sustain decisive capability at speed and scale.

At IDT, our employees develop advanced mission‑critical outcomes by consistently delivering high‑quality results, fostering innovation, applying rigorous problem‑solving, and collaborating across multifaceted teams and stakeholders. Grounded in these competencies, IDT translates complex customer priorities into robust software solutions.