Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Administrator
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal or Sr. Principal Systems Administrator to work at its facility in Aurora, Colorado. The role supports large government contracts and involves administering Linux and Windows systems, VMware technologies, NAS storage, and production Kubernetes clusters in classified environments. The position may be filled at either the Principal or Sr. Principal level, based on qualifications. The administrator maintains multi-user computer systems and coordinates with network, software, and systems engineers, desktop technicians, project managers, end users, customers, and IT management. The role includes system improvements, installation and patching, monitoring, problem resolution, configuration management, backup and recovery, account and access management, security auditing and logging, and support for the Cyber Security team. The position requires an active, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at application, the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access and a CI polygraph, and a DODD 8140 baseline certification. Travel may be required up to 30%, including overseas deployments. Relocation assistance may be available.
Requirements
- Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in science and 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and 3+ years of relevant experience; 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Sr. Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in science and 8+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and 6+ years, or a PhD and 4 years; 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Must have a current, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at application and be able to obtain and maintain SCI access.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph.
- Experience administering production Kubernetes clusters, including application deployment, basic networking and ingress, persistent storage, and troubleshooting core workload issues.
- Working understanding of RHEL, Windows, VMware, Kubernetes, and enterprise implementation, migration, and maintenance.
- Experience with STIG compliance and information assurance accreditation, and experience operating or managing systems in NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3–ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG environments.
- Must have a DODD 8140 baseline certification, such as Security+ CE, CySA+, CCNA Security, GSEC, SSCP, or a higher-level security certification; certification must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
- Network design and implementation experience with Cisco and HP switching and firewalls.
- NetApp and NAS design and implementation experience.
- Experience with cryptological device technologies such as KG-175, KIV-7, and KGR-42.
- Ability to travel up to 30% to various overseas locations or as needed.
- Ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- U.S. citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Nice To Haves
- Experience maintaining complex mission systems in an air-gapped environment.
- Experience with NetApp storage.
- Experience performing as a consulting Systems Administrator and subject matter expert for classified government contracts.
- Experience obtaining and analyzing customer requirements, recommending equipment and software, and overseeing system implementation and accreditation.
- Experience navigating complex system configurations and implementing improvements to performance, reliability, and security.
- Experience developing and documenting technical processes and procedures.
- Ability to ensure administration tasks are completed and direct others as needed.
- Experience analyzing customer requirements and determining equipment and software requirements for automated-system solutions.
Responsibilities
- Administer Linux and Windows systems on large government contracts.
- Administer VMware technologies or related platforms and NAS storage.
- Maintain multi-user computer systems and coordinate with engineering, desktop support, project management, users, customers, and IT management.
- Recommend and implement system enhancements to improve performance and reliability, including installation, upgrades and patching, monitoring, troubleshooting, and configuration management.
- Provide backup and recovery services; manage file systems and disk space; and routinely manage virus protection.
- Create and maintain user and computer accounts, and modify file permissions and security access lists.
- Maintain security audit and logging information on classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
- Support the Cyber Security team.
- Report project status for recurring and non-recurring efforts.
- Administer production Kubernetes clusters, including deploying containerized applications, configuring basic networking and ingress, managing persistent storage, and troubleshooting core workload issues.
- Travel to overseas locations or as needed, up to 30%; deployments typically occur 3–4 times a year for 2–3 weeks.
- For preferred-level duties: consult as a Systems Administrator and subject matter expert for classified government contracts; analyze customer requirements; recommend equipment and software; oversee implementation and accreditation; document technical processes and procedures; and direct others as necessary.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Possible overtime
- Possible shift differential
- Discretionary bonus; annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions and share company results
- Long-term incentives may be available to employees in Vice President or Director positions
- Relocation assistance may be available
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
