Mid-Level System Administrator

Quantum Sky is searching for a hands on Mid-Level System Administrator with strong networking experience to support and maintain a small, mission-focused network enclave at the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC).

This position is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and security of server/workstation systems and network infrastructure, including managed switches and routers. The System Administrator will serve as a key technical resource for the enclave and will work directly with customer personnel to resolve system and network issues and support mission requirements.

The System Administrator will also work closely with the contractor Information System Security Officer (ISSO) and government Information System Security Manager (ISSM) to maintain the enclave's cybersecurity posture and implement required technical security controls.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, troubleshooting issues across the network and systems stack, taking ownership of technical problems through resolution, and coordinating with customer, cybersecurity, and other technical personnel as required.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of practical systems administration experience combined with demonstrated hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting network infrastructure in a secure enterprise or DoD environment.

Responsibilities:

Systems and Enclave Administration

• Administer, maintain, and troubleshoot a small network enclave supporting mission and customer requirements.
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows servers and workstations.
• Administer Active Directory accounts, groups, permissions, Group Policy, and related security settings.
• Monitor system and network health, identify faults or performance issues, and drive problems through resolution.
• Perform system patching, software updates, configuration changes, and routine preventive maintenance.
• Support backup, recovery, and continuity requirements for network systems.
• Diagnose hardware, software, operating system, application, and network-related issues and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Support installation, replacement, configuration, and lifecycle maintenance of enclave IT and network equipment.

Network Administration

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot managed Ethernet switches, routers, network interfaces, VLANs, trunks, and associated network infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot network connectivity and performance issues using a solid understanding of TCP/IP, IPv4 addressing, subnetting, routing, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and network access controls.
• Troubleshoot network issues from the physical layer through network and application connectivity to isolate faults and restore service.
• Support network configuration changes, equipment replacement, cable/port troubleshooting, and other day-to-day network administration activities.
• Maintain accurate network configuration information and network diagrams.

Cybersecurity Support and Coordination

• Work closely with the ISSO and ISSM to maintain the security and compliance posture of the network enclave.
• Implement and maintain system and network security configurations in accordance with applicable DoD, organizational, and local cybersecurity requirements.
• Apply required system hardening, security configurations, patches, and vulnerability remediation actions to servers, workstations, switches, routers, and other enclave components.
• Support vulnerability scanning and remediation activities by investigating findings, implementing corrective actions, and documenting remediation status.
• Provide technical information, configuration data, system documentation, and other artifacts required to support cybersecurity assessments and authorization/compliance activities.
• Assist the ISSO and ISSM with investigation and resolution of system or network security issues.
• Coordinate proposed system and network configuration changes with cybersecurity personnel as required.
• Maintain accurate system and network configuration documentation and security-related technical records.

Customer and Technical Support

• Provide responsive, professional customer-facing technical support to government and mission personnel.
• Work directly with users to understand technical problems, determine operational impact, and identify appropriate solutions.
• Communicate issue status, technical impacts, planned corrective actions, and resolution to customers and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Coordinate with customer personnel, cybersecurity staff, network teams, and other technical organizations to resolve issues that extend beyond the enclave.
• Take ownership of assigned technical issues and drive them through resolution or appropriate escalation.
• Maintain documentation for system and network configurations, procedures, troubleshooting activities, and changes.

Required:

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in system administration, network administration, or a related IT infrastructure role.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience administering and troubleshooting managed switches and routers in an operational environment.
• Working knowledge of networking concepts and technologies, including:
  • TCP/IP and IPv4 addressing
  • Subnetting
  • VLANs and 802.1Q trunking
  • Ethernet switching fundamentals
  • Routing fundamentals
  • DNS and DHCP
  • Network access control concepts
  • Network troubleshooting and fault isolation
• Strong working knowledge of Windows and/or Linux operating systems.
• Experience administering Active Directory, including users, groups, permissions, GPOs, and security policies.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware, operating systems, applications, and network connectivity.
• Ability to independently diagnose technical problems and work issues through resolution.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple technical support and maintenance activities within a small operational environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with technical personnel, cybersecurity staff, government customers, and end users.
• Ability to maintain accurate system/network documentation and clearly document configuration changes and troubleshooting activities.
• Current certification meeting applicable DoD IAT Level II requirements as required by the contract.
• Pursuant to government contractual requirements, all applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

Desired:

• Previous experience supporting a small DoD or government network enclave with responsibility across both systems and networking.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting Cisco or comparable enterprise switches and routers.
• CCNA certification or equivalent demonstrated networking knowledge and experience.
• Experience with VMware, Hyper-V, or other virtualization technologies.
• Experience with PowerShell, Bash, Python, or other scripting/automation technologies.
• Experience working directly with ISSOs, ISSMs, cybersecurity personnel, or security control assessors in a DoD environment.
• Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity compliance activities, vulnerability management, system hardening, and remediation processes.
• Experience implementing technical security requirements using applicable configuration guidance such as Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
• Experience supporting security assessments, inspections, or authorization activities from a system/network administrator perspective.
• Experience creating and maintaining network diagrams, system documentation, configuration baselines, and technical procedures.
• Experience working directly with government customers and mission users.

Clearance: 

• Active TS/SCI clearance required.

Compensation:

• Compensation is unique to each candidate and relative to the skills and experience they bring to the position. The salary range for this position is typically between $100,000-$125,000. This does not guarantee a specific salary as compensation is based upon multiple factors such as education, experience, certifications, and other requirements, and may fall outside of the above-stated range.

Benefits: