IT Systems Administrator – Applications and Operations

Metrea Management LLC•Washington, DC

7d•$150,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

The IT Systems Administrator serves as the technical authority and custodian for all secure digital systems, servers, applications, and computing infrastructure within a protected research and engineering environment. This position ensures the integrity, reliability, and security of server and end-user systems supporting prototyping, development, and operational support programs. The role bridges IT operations, application design and management, software installation and maintenance to enable the safe execution of high consequence technical work while maintaining full compliance with export control, access management, and security directives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related discipline.
Minimum 7 years of experience administering mixed Windows/Linux environments in secure or mission-critical settings.
Proficiency in administration of Mac and Windows server and end-user equipment and applications to include MDM solutions and IDS/IPS hardware and software solutions
Advanced technical competency and experience in one or more of the following: VMware, Hyper-V, Parallels or other virtualization platforms, Microsoft Windows Server, Apple MDM, Matrix, Active Directory Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers, MS Hyper-V/VMWare/ESx/Xen Hypervisors, Enterprise networking/firewalls/intrusion detection/prevention systems, forensic analysis/vulnerability assessment, Group Policy management and configuration, Scripting, BMC Footprints, WSUS, Lumension, Bitlocker, SQL Server 2012, TomCat, IIS, Red Hat 6.5, SEIMs, Logrhythm, ACAS/Nessus/SCAP, mandatory/role-based access control concepts (e.g SE Linux extensions to RHEL, PitBull, AppArmor, and Sentris)
Strong background in Active Directory, DNS/DHCP management, and Microsoft 365 or Azure administration.
Experience maintaining systems under NIST 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, or equivalent compliance frameworks.
Proven track record managing backups, patching, and endpoint security at enterprise scale.
Must be a U.S. citizen with eligibility for government clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating within classified or compartmented network environments (SIPR, JWICS, or equivalent).
Previous military, defense, or government service, ideally within JSOC, SOF, or other Special Operations units involving secure communications or mission network operations.
Prior employment with or exposure to U.S. National Laboratories or similar security-related research institutions.
Familiarity with zero-trust architecture, cross-domain solutions (CDS), and network segmentation design.
Certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
Experience developing incident response playbooks and conducting internal security audits.
Hands on experience with SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection tools.
Active Top Secret / SCI clearance strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain all on-premises and remote IT infrastructure, including servers, workstations, network hardware, and secure digital storage.
Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot IT infrastructure components to ensure optimal operation.
Perform system administration tasks including software installations, updates, and patch management.
Provide technical support to resolve hardware, software, and network issues.
Support the implementation of new IT systems, applications, and infrastructure as needed.
Document and update IT procedures, configurations, and technical workflows.
Implement and maintain Active Directory, Group Policy, and Identity Access Management (IAM) for controlled user environments.
Conduct regular system backups, data integrity checks, and recovery exercises in accordance with security policies.
Oversee implementation of cybersecurity standards, including endpoint protection, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.
Support secure communications systems and classified networks under strict handling procedures.
Maintain ITAR/EAR compliance, encryption standards, and access control documentation.
Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to integrate new systems while maintaining network/system isolation and protection.
Document system configurations, maintenance schedules, and network diagrams.
Provide Tier 3 technical support and mentorship to IT support personnel.
Conduct regular reviews of infrastructure performance, utilization, and security posture.
Serve as the technical point of contact for audits, security inspections, and system accreditation activities.