System Administrator

Amentum

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wind Tunnel Division at NASA Ames Research Center is seeking an experienced Linux System Administrator to support operations within the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). This contract position, part of the Amentum ATOM (Aerospace Testing, Operations and Maintenance) team, plays a key role in maintaining mission-critical computing systems that directly support wind tunnel test operations. The selected candidate will work as part of an integrated test team in a fast-paced environment supporting testing of commercial, military, and NASA aerospace vehicles. This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance and shift work may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline and 10+ years of relevant IT or system administration experience.
Demonstrated experience with: Linux (RHEL or similar distributions) system administration
Demonstrated experience with: Windows system administration
Demonstrated experience with: OS deployment and operations frameworks (RHEL/RPM/Kickstart, other)
Demonstrated experience with: Hardware/software troubleshooting and mitigation.
Demonstrated experience with: Network fundamentals and switch and device configuration.
Demonstrated experience with: Knowledge of Storage and RAID configuration, system imaging, and management
Demonstrated experience with: Configuration and management of highly secure systems.
Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance (required)

Nice To Haves

Networking credential a plus
Security credential a plus
Exposure to multi-platform environments (Linux, Windows, real-time OS and embedded controllers).
Experience supporting operational or test facility environments.
Familiarity with scripting languages and automation frameworks.
Ability to adapt quickly, manage multiple priorities, and work collaboratively with engineering and operations staff.

Responsibilities

Maintain and administer Linux and Windows operating systems, including high-security air-gapped systems that are managed and deployed using automated frameworks across secure environments.
Support full system lifecycle activities including OS deployment, configuration management, system backups, baseline maintenance, and application installation.
Manage user accounts, group policies, and authentication mechanisms.
Lead high performance/high availability design and operations. Monitor, analyze, and resolve system issues identified in system metrics, health indicators and logfiles.
Ensure system readiness and reliability for mission‑critical test operations across multiple platforms (desktops, servers, real-time systems and embedded controllers).
Provide timely response to system issues and operational emergencies.
Collaborate with the Wind Tunnel System Branch and integrated test teams to support test planning and execution.
Implement security best practices and vulnerability mitigation strategies, while enabling support for open scientific research
Follow IT operations best practices and maintain clear and accurate technical documentation for system configurations, procedures, and network diagrams.
Assist with network configuration, troubleshooting and device setup and management.
Develop scripting tools (e.g., Bash, Python, PowerShell) to automate administrative tasks when beneficial.
Provide responsive end‑user support through established incident and communication channels.
Participate in staff meetings, prepare status updates, and collaborate effectively across diverse technical groups.