Mac Systems Administrator

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Mac Systems Administrator manages, secures, and improves the organization’s macOS and Apple environment, with a focus on Jamf, automation, and device lifecycle management. The role builds and maintains a reliable, secure platform integrated with broader IT infrastructure and supports 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 installs, maintains, and configures macOS systems; supports them in a heterogeneous enterprise environment; provides tier 3 support; leads projects for new services and deployments; troubleshoots complex hardware and software issues; and trains, documents, and consults on applications and services. It also uses scripting, Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, CI/CD, and Git-based workflows to automate and improve operations. Security responsibilities include maintaining macOS controls, system hardening, endpoint protection, encryption, vulnerability management, configuration compliance, organizational policy compliance, and identity and access integrations. The role participates in a rotating on-call schedule and may occasionally work evenings or weekends for critical services and scheduled maintenance. It must respond remotely to outages within 30 minutes and, when necessary, report 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.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and occasionally work evenings or weekends.
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.

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 in a heterogeneous enterprise environment, including developer-focused technologies and workflows.
Provide tier 3 support for IT Services technologies in collaboration with systems administrators and engineers.
Lead projects involving new services and deployments.
Diagnose and resolve complex end-user hardware and software issues.
Train users, document systems and services, and provide consulting for applications and services.
Use scripting and automation to streamline administrative tasks and improve operational efficiency.
Leverage Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, and CI/CD practices.
Manage configuration and deployment changes through Git-based workflows.
Solve complex problems and drive automation 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 employees and their dependent children.
Generous paid time off policy.
Retirement savings policy, including an 8% monthly employer 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.

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