System Specialist

About Simplesense

Simplesense develops, deploys, and maintains the Installation Resilience Platform, a solution that helps mission operators react quickly to changing conditions. The platform is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure from cyber threats while bringing together information that was previously isolated, making it easier to monitor systems, investigate incidents, and improve response speed. The company supports defense customers in keeping pace with fast-moving adversaries through modern technology adoption.

Simplesense is a non-traditional defense contractor and the prime contractor for the Air Force Installation Resilience Operations Command and Control (IROC) program. The program is expanding beyond its original prototype site at Tyndall Air Force Base to five additional Air Force, Space Force, and Army installations.

The organization combines extensive operational mission experience with technical expertise in DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, with an emphasis on scalable architecture and long-term sustainability.

Role Overview

As a System Specialist, you will act as the primary diagnostic resource for the Network Operations Center (NOC), helping keep infrastructure stable, resilient, and ready for mission use. You will work independently across network, operating system, and identity layers to identify complex faults, coordinate with Technical Support teammates, and develop documented, scalable solutions to recurring issues.

Work Model and Location

The role is based in Denver, CO, with hybrid options also available in San Antonio, TX and Brooklyn, NY. Remote candidates located in the U.S. may also be considered.

• Candidates in Denver, San Antonio, and Brooklyn are preferred.
• Local employees are expected onsite two days per week.
• Remote employees should expect quarterly travel for team meetings.

Success Milestones

• Within 30 days, you should be fully integrated into the NOC workflow and able to independently handle complex alerts that span multiple technical domains without frequent senior escalation.
• Within 60 days, you should be comfortable using DataDog and Splunk to create custom queries and analyze raw logs to identify root causes when dashboards are not enough.
• Within 90 days, you should identify a repeated support issue and reduce manual effort by creating a script, correcting documentation, or escalating a detailed bug report to Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently diagnose and resolve difficult connectivity and identity-access problems, even when the visible symptom and the underlying cause affect different systems.
• Collect the exact logs, telemetry, and context needed for a smooth escalation when a case must move beyond frontline support.
• Run approved scripts and remediation playbooks safely, and improve runbooks whenever they are incomplete or outdated.
• Monitor system and network health in DataDog and Splunk, including writing custom queries and correlating raw logs to uncover undocumented issues.
• Use Linux command-line tools and Windows PowerShell to validate configurations, inspect local network state, restart services, and run prebuilt remediation scripts.
• Support identity administration by provisioning and troubleshooting access issues in Active Directory and Okta, including sync and group policy checks.
• Reduce repetitive work by documenting fixes, creating simple scripts, and suggesting process improvements after resolving novel issues.
• Stay calm during major outages and provide clear, concise updates to stakeholders while working methodically toward resolution.

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in a NOC, IT operations, or hybrid systems support role, with strong independent troubleshooting ability.
• A “system of systems” mindset with the ability to debug issues across Windows and Linux operating systems, Cisco routing and switching, and identity/access layers.
• Practical experience extracting and interpreting useful data from enterprise monitoring tools such as Splunk and DataDog.
• Comfort working with Cisco switch configurations through the CLI and navigating Linux environments using tools such as SSH and grep.
• Experience resolving access, synchronization, and related issues in Active Directory and Okta.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a DoD NIPR network account and Common Access Card (CAC).
• Must currently have, or be able to obtain, a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• CompTIA Security+, CCNA, or an intermediate Linux certification.
• Experience supporting OT/ICS environments or working in DoD or Air Force settings.
• Basic scripting skills in Bash, PowerShell, or Python for operational automation.

Culture

Simplesense values high-trust autonomy and prefers team members who can work through ambiguity while staying focused on the mission.

• You should approach work with an eye toward safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Clear communication matters, including direct but respectful feedback and empathy.
• Integrity is expected in commitments, ethical behavior, and open conflict resolution.
• Problem solving should be strategic, documented, and built for scale rather than quick shortcuts.
• The team values speed, learning from mistakes, and transparent adaptation when priorities change.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected pay range is $85,000 to $115,000 per year. Final compensation depends on experience, skill level, and location.

• Equity
• Medical, life, short-term disability, and AD&D insurance
• Medical travel coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• 401(k) matching

Hiring Process

• Introductory screening call with recruiting to discuss your background and initial questions.
• Conversation with the hiring manager about your goals and alignment with the team’s mission.
• Technical assessment based on the work involved in the role.
• Interview with the team to review experience and fit.
• Final conversation to close any remaining questions before a decision is made.
• Offer and onboarding if selected.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Simplesense makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, performance, and business needs, and does not discriminate or tolerate harassment based on protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law. As a U.S. government contractor, the company follows relevant equal employment opportunity requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process may contact People Operations at careers@simplesense.io.