Lead System Administrator

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and optimize enterprise server platforms across Windows Server, Linux distributions, and virtualization technologies such as VMware, ensuring capacity, performance, and resilience.
• Implement standardized build configurations, automation scripts, and configuration management practices to streamline provisioning and reduce configuration drift.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex operating system, virtualization, and infrastructure issues affecting mission-critical services, driving permanent fixes for recurring problems.
• Cook up coordination with change management to plan and execute patching, upgrades, maintenance windows, and lifecycle management activities with minimal service disruption.
• Implement and monitor system-level security controls, including hardening, access management, vulnerability remediation, and logging, in collaboration with cybersecurity teams.
• Oversee monitoring and alerting for system-level events, ensuring timely incident response and alignment with incident and problem management processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 8+ years of experience in systems administration for Windows, Unix, Linux, or VMware environments, with several years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant operating systems (e.g., Windows Server, Red Hat, CentOS) and virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware vSphere, ESXi) in enterprise environments.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, or Python, and experience with system monitoring, patch management, and performance tuning.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and coordinate across infrastructure, network, and security teams.
• Familiarity with ITIL-aligned practices for incident, problem, and change management in support of mission-critical services.
• A current secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced platform certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, RHCSA/RHCE, or VMware Certified Professional (VCP).
• Experience leading systems administration teams or mixed on-premises and cloud infrastructure operations in defense or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience with regulatory and data security best practices applicable to federal IT environments.