Systems Administrator - Intermediate

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

1d

About The Position

The Intermediate Systems Administrator supports the reliability, security, and performance of diverse IT environments, including standalone systems, networked infrastructures, and secure cloud solutions in Special Access Program (SAP) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) facilities. The role contributes to service delivery and security for highly classified information systems supporting research programs.

The administrator provides support for Linux, Windows, virtualization, storage, and high-performance computing systems; configures and maintains systems using approved architectures and baselines; handles troubleshooting, backups, recovery, account management, patching, monitoring, and security documentation; and assists with upgrades, migrations, technology refreshes, testing, and operational transitions under senior technical direction. Daily work must follow cybersecurity, OPSEC, COMSEC, and classified-environment requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of professional experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or an associate degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success in roles requiring both responsive technical support and proactive system administration beyond helpdesk or isolated roles.
• Proficiency in Linux and/or Windows system administration, including user management through Active Directory or an equivalent and Group Policy configuration.
• Hands-on experience with cloud or virtualization technologies such as AWS, Azure, VMware, Hyper-V, or QEMU, and network troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with security practices, including deploying patches, configuring firewalls, and applying STIG standards according to JSIG or NISPOM guidance.
• Experience with certificate management (PKI, RSA, Windows/Linux certificate services) and security tools such as ACAS, SCAP, Splunk, Ivanti, or McAfee.
• Current DoD 8140 Systems Administration certification, such as Security+, SSCP, or CISSP-ISSE.
• Active Top Secret security clearance and ability to ultimately obtain TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for eligibility to access classified information.

Nice To Haves

• Cloud certifications or equivalent platform-specific credentials.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or 8+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• Certifications for multiple technologies, cloud platforms, or virtualization software.
• NetApp or SAN experience.
• Experience manually building physical systems.
• Experience configuring managed switches.
• Experience with endpoint protection applications, such as Splunk.
• Practical experience with programming or scripting languages.
• Working familiarity with Director of Central Intelligence Directives (DCID) or Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) security requirements.
• Experience with HP Secure Print.

Responsibilities

• Provide intermediate system administration support for Linux, Windows, virtualization, storage, and HPC systems in SAP/SCI environments.
• Configure, install, maintain, and document systems using approved architectures and baselines.
• Troubleshoot intermediate issues in Linux and Windows operating systems.
• Support virtualized environments, including virtual machine deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance using commercial off-the-shelf software.
• Perform system backups, recovery activities, and scheduled continuity testing to protect data availability and integrity.
• Troubleshoot and administer storage devices, including capacity monitoring, backups, and routine troubleshooting.
• Perform basic network switch troubleshooting, including ports, VLANs, connectivity, and segmentation, in coordination with senior systems administrators.
• Create and manage user and privileged accounts, access permissions, passwords, and periodic access reviews.
• Apply patches, remediate findings, and maintain approved configuration baselines of IT technology.
• Monitor system health, capacity, availability, and security status; respond to alerts and document corrective actions.
• Support RMF and authorization activities by maintaining configuration records, procedures, diagrams, control evidence, and other assigned security documentation.
• Apply cybersecurity, OPSEC, COMSEC, and classified-environment requirements during daily system administration.
• Maintain technical documentation, SOPs, system records, and ticket updates in the approved IT service management system.
• Assist with system upgrades, migrations, technology refreshes, testing, and operational transitions under senior technical direction.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable technologies, vulnerabilities, security requirements, and system administration practices.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program.
• Retirement contributions and retirement plans.
• Paid time off.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Training and development.
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

What This Job Offers

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