Akira Technologies, Inc. is seeking an experienced Automation and Application Engineer to support the Georgia Army National Guard (GA ARNG) at the Clay National Guard Center (CNGC) in Marietta, GA. The successful candidate will design, develop, implement, and maintain custom applications, scripts, automated workflows, and system integrations that enhance enterprise IT operations and support mission-critical business processes. This role will focus on developing automation solutions using PowerShell, SQL, Microsoft Power Automate, Group Policy, application programming interfaces (APIs), and robotic process automation (RPA) technologies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development, enterprise systems administration, database integration, and process automation, with the ability to identify opportunities for operational improvements, reduce manual processes, and deliver secure, scalable, and reliable technical solutions within a DoD enterprise environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, deploy, troubleshoot, maintain, and document custom applications, scripts, utilities, and automated solutions supporting enterprise infrastructure and mission business processes.
- Develop and maintain automation scripts using PowerShell, SQL, Python, or other applicable programming and scripting languages to streamline system administration, data processing, reporting, and operational workflows.
- Design and implement automated business processes using Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, Power Platform, robotic process automation (RPA), and comparable enterprise automation technologies.
- Develop, configure, and maintain integrations between enterprise applications, databases, APIs, and other systems to support secure data exchange, workflow automation, and operational efficiency.
- Write, optimize, and troubleshoot SQL queries, stored procedures, database scripts, and data integration processes to support enterprise applications and reporting requirements.
- Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPOs), including automation of system configurations, security settings, software deployment, and administrative tasks.
- Identify opportunities to automate repetitive IT operations, reduce manual workloads, improve data accuracy, and enhance the efficiency of enterprise service delivery.
- Develop and maintain API-based integrations, including RESTful services, authentication mechanisms, data transformations, error handling, and integration monitoring.
- Support Windows and Linux server environments, enterprise applications, virtualization platforms, databases, and related infrastructure technologies.
- Collaborate with infrastructure engineers, network administrators, cybersecurity personnel, and business stakeholders to gather requirements, design technical solutions, and implement automation initiatives.
- Perform advanced troubleshooting across multiple Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) layers, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for application, integration, and infrastructure-related issues.
- Implement secure coding practices, access controls, configuration standards, and applicable DoD and Army cybersecurity requirements throughout application development and automation activities.
- Assess, implement, validate, and document applicable Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) for supported systems and applications operating within NIPRNet and SIPRNet environments.
- Support vulnerability assessments, patch management, configuration management, change control, and remediation of identified security findings.
- Coordinate with Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) and other enterprise service providers to resolve application connectivity, system integration, and infrastructure-related issues.
- Manage technical incidents, service requests, and escalations through the Army Enterprise Service Management Platform (AESMP), ensuring accurate documentation and timely resolution.
- Support enterprise cloud migration and modernization initiatives, including application readiness assessments, integration planning, workload transitions, testing, cutover, and post-migration optimization.
- Develop automation and integration solutions supporting Army 365 (A365), Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Power Platform, Azure, and other approved enterprise platforms.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including application design specifications, source code documentation, automation workflows, API integration guides, database schemas, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and implementation records.
- Translate enterprise technical directives and business requirements into practical automation and application solutions while communicating technical risks, dependencies, and operational impacts to stakeholders.
- Provide technical recommendations and advisory support to government leadership regarding application modernization, automation opportunities, system integration, and continuous process improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise infrastructure, application development, systems administration, automation engineering, or comparable enterprise IT operations is desired for senior-level personnel.
- Demonstrated experience designing, developing, testing, troubleshooting, integrating, maintaining, and documenting custom applications, scripts, utilities, and automated solutions supporting enterprise infrastructure and mission business processes.
- Strong programming and scripting experience using PowerShell, SQL, Python, or comparable technologies for enterprise application development, system administration, and workflow automation.
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Power Automate, Power Platform, robotic process automation (RPA), or comparable automation technologies.
- Experience developing and maintaining API integrations, database connections, automated data exchanges, and application interfaces across enterprise systems.
- Proficiency in SQL, relational database concepts, query development, data manipulation, and database integration technologies.
- Demonstrated experience configuring, administering, and troubleshooting Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and associated Windows enterprise management technologies.
- Experience supporting complex and geographically distributed enterprise IT environments, including Microsoft enterprise platforms, Windows and Linux servers, virtualization, databases, and infrastructure management technologies.
- Strong understanding of LAN/WAN networking, enterprise systems architecture, and infrastructure dependencies affecting application and automation performance.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems across multiple OSI layers, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Experience with enterprise monitoring, configuration management, patching, vulnerability remediation, change management, and technical documentation.
- Knowledge of applicable DoD and Army cybersecurity requirements, including demonstrated experience assessing, implementing, validating, and documenting applicable STIGs for systems operating on both NIPRNet and SIPRNet, and supporting remediation of identified findings.
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing enterprise cloud migrations and modernization initiatives, including assessment of on-premises workloads, cloud architecture and integration, identity and access dependencies, security requirements, migration planning, testing, transition, and post-migration optimization.
- Ability to translate enterprise technical directives into local implementation requirements and communicate technical risks, recommended actions, and operational impacts to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills, with the ability to work independently and collaborate with cross-functional technical teams.
- Active Secret security clearance required, with the ability to maintain the clearance and obtain any additional access approvals required for assigned duties.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC), privileged-access approvals, and individual system-access authorizations as required.
- Current CompTIA Security+ certification required, along with compliance with applicable DoD 8140 qualification requirements for assigned work roles and proficiency levels.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification. These certifications do not replace the mandatory Security+ and applicable DoD 8140 requirements.
- Microsoft certifications related to Power Platform, Azure, application development, or enterprise administration.
- Experience supporting Army National Guard, U.S. Army, DoD, or other federal government enterprise IT environments.
- Advanced experience with PowerShell automation, SQL Server, Active Directory Group Policy, Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, and API-based enterprise integrations.
- Experience with RPA platforms, automated workflow orchestration, unattended automation, and enterprise process optimization.
- Experience supporting Army 365 (A365), Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Power Platform, Azure, or comparable DoD-authorized cloud environments.
- Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices, source control, version management, automated testing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).
- Experience with Azure automation, cloud application integration, infrastructure as code (IaC), and enterprise modernization initiatives.
- Experience developing secure automation and application solutions within NIPRNet, SIPRNet, or other controlled DoD environments.
- Familiarity with NETCOM coordination, Army enterprise service management processes, and AESMP ticket escalation procedures.
Salary Range: $120,000 to $140,000 Akira’s pay range for this position considers various factors including skills, years of experience, training, licenses, certifications, alignment with market data, and internal equity in the organization. This pay range estimate is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary, which Akira believes to be done in good faith in compliance with local laws. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. General Description of Benefits Akira offers its employees multiple options for medical plans (some with Health Savings Account), dental plans, and vision coverage, and a 401(k) plan with employer match. To promote work/life balance, Akira offers paid time off, including vacation and sick time, holidays, paid parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty leave. We also offer short and long-term disability benefits to protect employee income in the event of sickness or injury, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and critical illness insurance. Akira also offers tuition, training, and certification reimbursement for professional development and career advancement. Akira regularly reviews our total rewards package to ensure our offerings remain competitive and reflect the values and needs expressed by our employees.
About Akira Technologies Akira strives to meet and exceed the mission and objectives of US federal agencies. As a leading small business cloud modernization and data analytics services provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated solutions and technologies that serve the needs of our customers and citizens. Akira serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, cyber, defense, civilian, and health markets. Every day, our employees deliver transformational outcomes, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Akira is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
