System Administrator

Leidos•San Diego, CA

12d•$87,100 - $157,450

About The Position

Leidos’ Corporate Information Security Office, reporting through the Digital sector, is seeking a Systems Administrator to support classified IT operations across a geographically distributed wide-area network (WAN), serving users, infrastructure, and IT personnel at multiple locations nationwide. The role provides hands-on technical support for daily WAN operations, independently troubleshooting routine issues, coordinating with remote-site IT personnel, communicating technical status, and following issues through resolution. It combines Windows, Active Directory, VMware, and Linux administration with sound judgment and persistent troubleshooting, in collaboration with senior technical staff, cybersecurity personnel, local IT leadership, and the WAN PMO. The position supports Windows 11, Windows Server, Active Directory, VMware vSphere, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu environments. Duties include account and access administration, Group Policy, patching, backup and recovery, approved security hardening, operational support for classified systems, and assistance with server deployments, recovery testing, and potential virtualization migrations. The administrator uses Jira for intake and tracking, follows change and approval workflows, maintains technical documentation, and works with specialists to resolve issues across distributed WAN sites. The role requires an active final Secret clearance that the employee can maintain and a current DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or higher certification, such as CompTIA Security+. The posting specifies a bachelor’s degree and 4–8 years of experience, or equivalent relevant industry-standard certifications and experience. The listed pay range is $87,100–$157,450. The original posting date is October 27, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 4–8 years of experience, or equivalent relevant industry-standard certifications and experience.
Active, final Secret clearance and ability to maintain that clearance.
Current DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or higher certification, such as CompTIA Security+.
Hands-on Windows workstation and server administration experience.
Strong Active Directory troubleshooting skills, including user and group management, permissions, Group Policy, and DNS knowledge.
Hands-on experience administering VMware vSphere in an enterprise environment, including virtual machines, hosts, and routine virtualization, backup, and recovery troubleshooting.
Familiarity with Microsoft Hyper-V to support planned virtualization modernization and migration efforts.
Hands-on Linux experience, including familiarity with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu, software installation, permissions, services, logs, and operating-system troubleshooting.
Ability to isolate system and basic network-connectivity problems, research unfamiliar issues using approved resources, work within change controls, and recognize when to escalate.
Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively with technical teams across multiple locations.
Knowledge of change management procedures, roles, and responsibilities.
Experience using an IT ticketing system, maintaining useful documentation, organizing competing tasks, and following issues through resolution in a shared-support environment.
Experience with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and maintaining compliance artifacts such as SCAP scans, STIGs, and vulnerability reports.

Nice To Haves

Practical Microsoft Hyper-V administration, Windows Server Failover Clustering, or participation in VMware-to-Hyper-V or other virtualization migrations.
Experience supporting both VMware vSphere and Hyper-V.
Administration or troubleshooting experience with Dell PowerEdge, PowerStore, PowerProtect, PowerVault, or comparable enterprise platforms.
Familiarity with SharePoint, Docker, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), or other enterprise application and appliance management interfaces.
Experience supporting classified systems, TACLANE/GEM One operations, coordination with COMSEC personnel, or routine HPC support.
Familiarity with Jira, distributed-site support, and PowerShell or Bash scripting to simplify repeatable administrative tasks.
Introductory cloud knowledge, particularly AWS; foundational cloud or relevant technical certifications; and interest in developing new skills. Production cloud experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Support Windows 11, Windows Server, Active Directory, and VMware vSphere environments, including virtual machine administration, host management, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance.
Perform account and access administration, Group Policy administration, patching, and routine backup and recovery.
Implement approved hardening and remediation in coordination with cybersecurity personnel.
After required training and authorization, support documented TACLANE/GEM One tasks with COMSEC personnel and site teams.
Support Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu, primarily on workstations and occasionally on servers.
Investigate issues involving approved applications and back-end services, using documentation and specialist support when needed.
Use Jira as the primary intake and tracking mechanism; provide clear updates, follow approval and change workflows, communicate with users, and track issues through resolution, including work performed by other team members.
Work with IT personnel at geographically dispersed WAN sites to troubleshoot technical issues, exchange technical information, support problem resolution, and assist with implementing approved configurations.
Troubleshoot routine server, storage, backup, connectivity, and service issues across distributed WAN locations; gather diagnostic information and coordinate with designated technical specialists.
Support approved server deployments, recovery testing, and potential virtualization migrations; document existing configurations and help remote teams implement and validate approved designs.
Maintain runbooks, configuration records, and troubleshooting notes; cross-train teammates, improve repeatable processes, and help build backup coverage for recurring operational tasks.
Support classified IT operations across a geographically distributed WAN environment.