Senior Systems Administrator/Helpdesk Engineer

Leidos • St. Louis, MO

6d • $92,300 - $166,850 • Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a highly motivated Senior Systems Administrator/Help Desk Engineer to support a cutting-edge Agile software development program, Chinook, for an Intelligence Community customer. In this critical role, you’ll ensure the stability, security, and performance of the environments that enable mission users and Agile teams to deliver capabilities that directly support national security. As a trusted technical expert, you’ll do more than troubleshoot systems, you’ll solve complex challenges, optimize infrastructure, support cloud and on-premises environments, and provide exceptional customer service to users operating in fast-paced, mission-critical settings. Working side-by-side with software engineers, DevSecOps specialists, cybersecurity professionals, and customer stakeholders, you’ll play a key role in maintaining reliable operations while continuously improving the user experience. This position requires deep technical expertise, proactive leadership, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, classified environment. You will lead systems operations, and ensure availability, reliability, and security of infrastructure supporting geospatial analytics, software development, and data services.

Requirements

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline and 8-12 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 6-10 years of prior relevant experience.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or III certification (e.g., Security+ CE, CASP+, CISSP).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience with Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux or CentOS) and Windows Server platform system administration.
• Proficiency with virtualization platforms (VMware, KVM) and management tools.
• Experience with automation and scripting (Ansible, Bash, PowerShell, Python).
• Familiarity with STIG compliance, system hardening, ACAS scans, and RMF processes.
• Strong understanding of enterprise networking, identity/access management, and storage concepts.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot, document, and lead systems-related projects independently.
• Experience supporting IC or DoD classified environments.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with the ability to successfully pass a Polygraph examination.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting our customer or GEOINT missions.
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and pipelines (Git, Jenkins, Docker, etc.).
• Knowledge of enterprise backup solutions, DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, and PKI.

Responsibilities

• Lead system administration for Linux and Windows-based systems in secure, mission-critical environments.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and end-user technical issues while serving as a primary IT support contact, managing support tickets through resolution, and delivering responsive customer service.
• Architect and manage complex server, storage, and virtualization infrastructure (VMware, KVM).
• Perform OS installation, configuration, hardening, and patching in compliance with DoD STIGs and agency policies.
• Monitor and tune system performance, conduct root cause analysis, and resolve complex issues quickly and efficiently.
• Support backup/recovery strategies, disaster recovery plans, and continuity of operations.
• Oversee and maintain automation scripts and infrastructure as code (Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, etc.).
• Maintain system documentation, configuration baselines, and support CM and RM activities.
• Lead and support deployment of system enhancements and modernization initiatives for Chinook program.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, network engineering, and software development teams to ensure system compliance and performance.
• Participate in security audits, incident response, and operational readiness activities.

Benefits

• Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior