Full-Time

SME Systems Engineer-API Gateway & Cloud Architecture

Updated on 9/3/2026

Synergy ECP

Synergy ECP

51-200 employees

Cybersecurity and mission IT for defense.

Compensation Overview

$180k - $230k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

Dulles, VA, USA

In Person

Onsite role based in Sterling, VA.

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Software Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Kubernetes
Microsoft Azure
Agile
Python
Java
Docker
C#
AWS
Google Cloud Platform

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Requirements
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a STEM field
  • 16+ years of relevant experience
  • DoD 8140 compliant (Security+ CE certification)
  • Expertise supporting Windows platforms and cloud-hosted COTS applications
  • 5+ years of API Gateway experience
  • Strong understanding of API design principles
  • API security best practices
  • Industry-standard protocols
  • Proficiency in Java, Python, or C#
  • Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
  • Experience with Docker and Kubernetes
  • Agile experience
  • Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
  • Cloud architecture and system design experience
  • System testing and validation experience
  • TS/SCI w/ Polygraph clearance
  • U.S. Citizenship
Responsibilities
  • Provide technical leadership for API Gateway technologies, cloud architecture, and enterprise integrations supporting mission-critical systems
Desired Qualifications
  • API certifications
  • MuleSoft or Apigee experience
  • Service mesh experience (Istio, Linkerd)
  • MBSE experience
  • ServiceNow experience
  • Cloud optimization experience
  • API integration and event-driven architecture experience
  • Experience integrating systems using APIs, message queues, streaming platforms, and ETL pipelines
  • Azure, Google, Oracle, or IBM cloud experience

Synergy ECP provides cybersecurity, engineering, mission IT, and special programs support for defense and intelligence agencies. It helps clients navigate cybersecurity and digital transformation by delivering mission-critical solutions through a team with deep expertise and technology-enabled capabilities. Services are organized around protecting networks and data, engineering systems, and managing mission-focused IT programs, including specialized support for national security programs. The company differentiates itself through close collaboration with customers, a strong emphasis on its employees, and a track record of handling challenging national security issues with precise execution. The goal is to earn trust by delivering reliable performance, continuously growing capabilities, and helping customers improve performance while advancing its employees and partners.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Columbia, Maryland

Founded

2007

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • August 2026 OpenAI partnership opens higher-margin AI implementation work across classified missions.
  • December 2025 NetServices acquisition deepens secure federal IT capability and widens customer access.
  • January 2026 Tradewinds Awardable status improves access to Department of War pilots and contracts.

What critics are saying

  • NetServices integration after December 2025 acquisition can distract delivery teams and compress margins.
  • Defense and intelligence customer concentration ties revenue to procurement pauses and program recompetes.
  • OpenAI-dependent federal deployments face governance and ATO delays; one stalled flagship can derail growth.

What makes Synergy ECP unique

  • August 2026 OpenAI Select Partner status makes Synergy ECP a rare federal AI integrator.
  • January 2026 Tradewinds Awardable status validates Synergy ECP for Department of War procurement.
  • Founded 2007, Synergy ECP combines data, cybersecurity, systems engineering, and mission operations.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Flexible Work Hours

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Wellness Program

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

14%

1 year growth

14%

2 year growth

14%
Synergy ECP
Aug 26th, 2026
Synergy ECP named an OpenAI Select Partner.

Synergy ECP named an OpenAI Select Partner. Columbia, MD - August, 26, 2026 - Synergy ECP, a leading systems integrator for the U.S. Intelligence and Defense communities, today announced that it has been named an OpenAI Select Partner within the OpenAI Partner Network. The OpenAI Partner Network is a global program for partners to build, sell, and deliver AI solutions with OpenAI. It brings together partners with deep industry expertise, delivery capabilities, and customer relationships while equipping them with resources, enablement, and support to help enterprises adopt OpenAI frontier models and products and turn them into measurable impact. As an OpenAI Select Partner, Synergy ECP will continue working with OpenAI to help organizations build, deploy, and scale AI solutions responsibly and effectively. This work will help organizations get more useful work from every token and stronger performance per dollar with GPT-5.6, while using ChatGPT Work to turn ambitious goals into finished work. Synergy ECP develops and delivers solutions spanning data, software, and systems engineering; cybersecurity operations; and mission enablement for the U.S. Intelligence and Defense communities. "This partnership solidifies our recent investments in developing solutions aimed at helping our Public Sector customers safely integrate AI and agentic workflows into their mission systems. As an OpenAI Select Partner, we'll be able to help more customers successfully implement comprehensive AI governance strategies, which have proven critical to adopting AI at scale," said Eric Beane, Chief Operating Officer, Synergy ECP. Synergy ECP supports organizations across the U.S. Intelligence and Defense communities with mission critical needs, solving complex data and engineering problems. Its work includes developing products and solutions designed to reduce barriers to integrating AI agents into national security systems and workflows. Looking ahead, Synergy ECP plans to continue investing in talent and enablement to scale customer deployments of its OpenAI-related offerings, helping customers translate AI ambition into mission outcomes. About Synergy ECP Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Synergy ECP is a leading provider of data, software, and systems engineering; cybersecurity operations; and mission enablement solutions to the U.S. intelligence and defense communities. The company delivers advanced mission-support capabilities that enhance national security. For more information, visit www.synergyecp.com.

PR Newswire
Dec 3rd, 2025
Synergy ECP Acquires Federal IT Solutions Leader NetServices

COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Synergy ECP, a provider of software engineering, cybersecurity, and systems engineering services for the U.S. Intelligence and Defense communities, today announced its acquisition of NetServices, a premier provider of secure, innovative technology solutions supporting mission-critical federal environments. The acquisition was supported by Charlotte, NC based private equity firm Falfurrias Management Partners, which partnered with Synergy ECP in October 2023.For nearly 30 years, NetServices has provided IT modernization, software engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise operations solutions for defense and intelligence agencies. Known for pairing top-tier technical talent with deep mission insight, the company tackles complex national-security challenges across cloud migration, Zero Trust architecture, DevSecOps, AI/ML, and Enterprise IT service management and operations.These capabilities strengthen Synergy ECP's ability to deliver end-to-end, mission-driven technology solutions across the Intelligence and Defense communities, while expanding access to key customer missions and technical programs essential to national security."The addition of NetServices is a tremendous advancement for Synergy ECP," said Phil Murphy, CEO of Synergy ECP. "NetServices has built a strong reputation for delivering excellence in secure federal IT solutions

GlobeNewswire
Dec 3rd, 2024
Phil Murphy Joins Synergy ECP as President and COO

COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Synergy ECP, a leading provider of mission critical, highly technical solutions for the Defense and Intelligence Communities, is excited to announce the appointment of Phil Murphy as its new President and Chief Operating Officer.

Citybiz
Oct 15th, 2024
Michael Widener Joins Synergy ECP Board of Advisors

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Synergy ECP, a leading provider of mission critical, highly technical solutions for the Defense and Intelligence Communities, is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Widener to its Board of Advisors.

GlobeNewswire
Jun 18th, 2024
Synergy ECP Acquires SPYROS Cyber Firm

Synergy ECP has acquired SPYROS Information Technology Consulting, a cyber operations firm specializing in critical infrastructure resiliency, 5G technology, and signals intelligence. Supported by Falfurrias Capital Partners, this acquisition enhances Synergy ECP's capabilities in delivering specialized cyber solutions to the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Department of Energy National Laboratories. This follows Synergy ECP's recent acquisition of SoftTech Solutions in March.