Principal Systems Engineer Specialist

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is a global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications. The Principal Systems Engineer Specialist will serve as the premier technical authority on SASE, SSE, and Zero Trust architectures, collaborating with sales teams to position and validate advanced security solutions while ensuring compliance with federal security standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Specialized Technical Strategy: Serve as the principal technical overlay authority for the HPE cybersecurity and SASE portfolio, collaborating with core DoD and Federal sales teams to drive end-to-end solution strategy
• Architect Zero Trust Architectures: Design, validate, and defend large-scale SASE and SSE solutions—including ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and FWaaS—ensuring full alignment with NIST SP 800-207, EO 14028, and OMB M-22-09 directives
• Navigate Federal Compliance & ATOs: Assist customers in navigating the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and achieving Authority to Operate (ATO). Secure architectures against STIG requirements and design solutions tailored for DoD Impact Level 5 (IL5) and Impact Level 6 (IL6) environments
• Conduct High-Level Technical Discovery: Lead multi-domain discovery sessions and architectural workshops to solve complex federal networking and security challenges, bridging the gap between agency requirements and technical execution
• Oversee Technical Validations: Design and execute advanced product demonstrations and proof-of-concepts, translating strict compliance and technical mandates into defensible, outcome-driven solutions
• Support Complex Pursuits: Provide technical leadership on major federal programs and procurement actions, authoring and reviewing high-impact RFI and RFP responses to ensure architectural integrity and technical differentiation
• Integrate Advanced Telemetry: Guide customers through security visibility and observability integrations, ensuring seamless telemetry pipelines with existing enterprise SIEM, SOAR, and XDR platforms
• Provide Field-Driven Feedback: Collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, and the Office of the CTO to deliver structured feedback from the field, ensuring future product roadmaps align with evolving federal defense requirements
• Act as a Force Multiplier: Serve as a technical mentor to mid-level and junior Systems Engineers across the broader team, raising the overall technical capability and readiness of the organization
• Maintain Mission Flexibility: Demonstrate operational autonomy across accounts and regions, maintaining the flexibility to support customer schedules and mission-critical engagements when national security priorities demand it

Requirements:

• Expert-level understanding of SASE, SSE, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles, deployment models, and design tradeoffs in cloud and hybrid environments
• Deep familiarity with federal security frameworks, including NIST SP 800-207, OMB M-22-09, the Risk Management Framework (RMF), STIG compliance, and FedRAMP/DoD IL5/IL6 requirements
• Comprehensive knowledge of core networking protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF) and security technologies (Firewalls, IPS/IDS, IPsec, SSL/TLS, and micro-segmentation)
• Strong command of identity, credential, and access management (ICAM) structures, including SSO, SAML, OAuth, and policy-driven access controls
• Practical experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and the integration of secure access platforms into complex enterprise environments
• Exceptional technical writing, diagramming, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to confidently advise customer architects, security directors, and agency leadership
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, solution architecture, or technical leadership within the cybersecurity or network security domains
• Demonstrated success supporting DoD, Federal Civilian, or highly regulated industries, with a clear understanding of the federal acquisition lifecycle
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience
• Significant military technical leadership experience (such as senior non-commissioned officer roles in cyber or communications branches) is highly valued and recognized as equivalent experience
• DoD 8140/8570 compliance is highly desirable
• Preferred advanced professional certifications include CISSP, CCSP, JNCIE, GIAC, or relevant vendor-specific credentials
• An active federal security clearance is preferred but not required at the time of hire