Mac Systems Administrator

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

1d

About The Position

The Mac Systems Administrator manages, secures, and improves the macOS and Apple environment, focusing on Jamf, automation, and device lifecycle management. The role builds and maintains a reliable, secure platform integrated with broader IT infrastructure, supporting researchers, developers, and other technical users. The administrator works independently and collaboratively with IT teams and researchers to solve technical challenges, improve systems management, and keep the macOS environment secure and operational.

The position administers and supports macOS systems in an enterprise environment, provides tier 3 support, leads projects for new services and deployments, and diagnoses complex hardware and software issues. It also uses scripting, Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, CI/CD, and Git-based workflows to automate and improve operations. Security responsibilities include implementing macOS security controls, maintaining compliance with organizational policies and applicable regulatory frameworks, and managing identity and access controls integrated with enterprise authentication.

The role participates in a rotating on-call schedule and may occasionally require evening or weekend work for critical services and scheduled maintenance. Service outages must be answered remotely within 30 minutes; when necessary, the employee must report on-site to the local SEI facility within 60 minutes, barring extreme adverse conditions. Travel between SEI and CMU facilities is required as needed, with occasional travel to other SEI locations, conferences, and off-site meetings.

Requirements

• Experience administering, configuring, deploying, and supporting macOS systems in an enterprise environment.
• Experience with Apple device management platforms such as Jamf Pro, Apple School Manager, or Microsoft Intune.
• Working knowledge of macOS security practices, including endpoint protection, encryption, system hardening, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.
• Experience integrating and supporting macOS systems in heterogeneous environments.
• Experience using scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or zsh to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, including diagnosing complex hardware, software, authentication, and connectivity issues.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with IT teams, developers, researchers, and other technical users.
• Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to participate in rotating on-call coverage, including occasional evening or weekend work, and meet the stated outage response times.
• Ability to travel between SEI and CMU facilities as required, with occasional travel to other locations, conferences, and off-site meetings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting macOS systems in development, research, or other technically demanding environments.
• Understanding of Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and APIs.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID and other Microsoft 365 technologies.
• Experience with cloud infrastructures such as Azure and AWS.
• Familiarity with Git-based workflows, CI/CD concepts, and configuration files using YAML and JSON.
• Understanding of security and compliance frameworks, including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and configure macOS systems to provide a reliable and secure platform.
• Integrate and support macOS systems within a heterogeneous enterprise environment, including developer-focused technologies and workflows.
• Provide tier 3 support for IT Services technologies and collaborate with systems administrators and engineers to resolve issues.
• Lead projects involving new services and deployments.
• Diagnose and resolve complex end-user hardware and software issues.
• Train users, document applications and services, and provide consulting.
• Use automation and scripting to streamline administrative tasks and improve operational efficiency.
• Leverage Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, and CI/CD practices.
• Manage configuration and deployment changes using Git-based workflows.
• Drive automation and solve complex problems using modern DevOps practices.
• Implement and maintain macOS security controls, including system hardening, endpoint protection, encryption, vulnerability management, and configuration compliance.
• Ensure macOS systems comply with organizational security policies and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Manage macOS identity and access controls, including integration with enterprise authentication.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and occasionally work evenings or weekends for critical services and scheduled maintenance.
• Respond remotely to service outages within 30 minutes and, when necessary, report on-site to the local SEI facility within 60 minutes, barring extreme adverse conditions.
• Travel between SEI and CMU facilities as required, with occasional travel to other SEI locations, conferences, and off-site meetings.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Tuition benefits, including benefits at CMU for the employee and dependent children.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• Retirement savings policy, including an 8% monthly contribution without requiring an employee contribution.
• Flexible work arrangement.
• Access to university resources, including campus fitness facilities, mindfulness programs, child care, and free transportation on the Port Authority Transit System.
• Annual professional development opportunities to attend conferences and training or obtain a certification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed