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Systems Engineer, Level 5 – Lab Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
Howard County, MD - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (19 hours ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
What You Will Do:
At Independent Software as a System Engineer Level 5 (Lab Manager) you will serve as the Team Lead for a two-person contractor team responsible for supporting multiple machine rooms containing operational mission-critical systems as well as associated lab and communications spaces. You will oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of these environments ensuring they remain secure organized operational and compliant with agency standards.
In this role you will coordinate closely with System Administrators Network Engineers customers Facilities personnel vendors and leadership to support hardware installations equipment replacements infrastructure needs and system deployments. You will monitor power space and cooling requirements manage physical access requirements support rack and cabling activities troubleshoot hardware and fiber issues and help ensure the infrastructure is prepared for evolving mission and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities:
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
Qualified Engineering Fields include Aeronautics Biomedical Chemical Civil Computer Electrical Environmental Mechanical Nuclear Software Systems and Engineering Management. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.
Related disciplines include Chemistry Computer Science Information Systems Mathematics and Physics. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.
Clearance Requirement:
Why Choose Independent Software:
At Independent Software our people are the mission. Weve built a company around collaboration integrity and innovation and we make sure our team has the tools and support to grow succeed and thrive.
When you join us you will:
Ready to take the next step in your career Join us and be part of something bigger.
Apply today.
Were an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran or disability status.
At Independent Software as a System Engineer Level 5 (Lab Manager) you will serve as the Team Lead for a two-person contractor team responsible for supporting multiple machine rooms containing operational mission-critical systems as well as associated lab and communications spaces. You will oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of these environments ensuring they remain secure organized operational and compliant with agency standards.
In this role you will coordinate closely with System Administrators Network Engineers customers Facilities personnel vendors and leadership to support hardware installations equipment replacements infrastructure needs and system deployments. You will monitor power space and cooling requirements manage physical access requirements support rack and cabling activities troubleshoot hardware and fiber issues and help ensure the infrastructure is prepared for evolving mission and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead daily operations and support of mission-critical machine rooms lab and communications spaces
- Maintain spaces and access lists in accordance with agency requirements
- Monitor power space and cooling needs and coordinate infrastructure upgrades with Facilities
- Support installation and decommissioning of racks servers network devices and communications equipment
- Work JIRA tickets for hardware replacements and coordinate vendor warranty support
- Monitor machine room conditions and perform routine walkthroughs to identify equipment or infrastructure issues
- Rack cable install and troubleshoot systems supporting operational deployments
- Maintain machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools
- Support fiber connectivity testing and troubleshooting
- Coordinate with customers System Administrators Network Engineers Facilities personnel leadership and vendors
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience supporting agency machine rooms or similar mission-critical environments
- Experience racking and cabling systems for operational deployments
- Hands-on experience with hardware from vendors such as HP Dell Cisco Arista or Juniper
- Experience supporting and troubleshooting fiber connectivity
- Experience creating and updating machine room drawings using Visio or similar tools
- Strong communication coordination and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing or leading a team supporting machine rooms or communications spaces
- Experience supporting system build and deployment teams
- Experience working in an agency or contractor lab environment
Education and Experience:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
- Bachelors degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus fifteen (15) years of Systems Engineering experience; OR
- High School Diploma or GED plus nineteen (19) years of general Systems Engineering experience; OR
- Masters degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus thirteen (13) years of Systems Engineering experience; OR
- PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or related discipline plus eleven (11) years of Systems Engineering experience.
Qualified Engineering Fields include Aeronautics Biomedical Chemical Civil Computer Electrical Environmental Mechanical Nuclear Software Systems and Engineering Management. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.
Related disciplines include Chemistry Computer Science Information Systems Mathematics and Physics. Similar or comparable degrees are acceptable.
Clearance Requirement:
- Must possess an active TS SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role
Why Choose Independent Software:
At Independent Software our people are the mission. Weve built a company around collaboration integrity and innovation and we make sure our team has the tools and support to grow succeed and thrive.
When you join us you will:
- Support critical national security missions that matter
- Be part of a close-knit employee-first culture where your voice is heard
- Expand your skills through ongoing training mentorship and career development
- Enjoy competitive compensation generous benefits and work-life balance
Ready to take the next step in your career Join us and be part of something bigger.
Apply today.
Were an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran or disability status.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
Independent Software: Home of efficient and effective information technology services.
