Cloud Administrator 1 / System Administrator 2

Position Overview: Cloud Administrator 1 / System Administrator 2

Location: Fort Meade, MD (20755)

Position Type: Full-Time

Classification: Systems Administration

Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph

Compensation Range: $153,000 – $184,000 / year (commensurate with experience, technical scope, and contract guidelines)

Role Summary

We are seeking a Cloud Administrator 1 / System Administrator 2 to provide critical systems, infrastructure, and operational support across Development, Operations, and Security teams. In this role, you will join an integrated team of 20+ professionals supporting full-lifecycle operations for an enterprise software application delivering mission-critical audio ingest, storage, query, playback, analysis, and transcription capabilities.

The application serves national and tactical analysts across both portable endpoint systems (laptops) and distributed large-scale environments (multi-node clusters). You will be responsible for standing up, maintaining, optimizing, and decommissioning development and deployment platforms, executing physical hardware refreshes, coordinating vendor quotes and specifications, and managing system vulnerability patching under multi-SSP and STE/STN initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Linux Administration: Administer, configure, and troubleshoot enterprise Linux environments to maintain system availability, performance, and operational uptime.
  

• Physical Hardware Management: Oversee physical hardware setups, racking, equipment installations, component replacements, cable management, and hardware troubleshooting across development and operational networks.
  

• Network & Connectivity: Configure and validate server network connectivity, interface configurations, and address routing/communication bottlenecks across multi-node environments.
  

• Automation & Orchestration: Build and maintain Ansible automation playbooks and scripts to standardize routine administration and enhance workflow efficiency.
  

• Virtualization Support: Deploy, maintain, and support virtualized infrastructure running on platforms such as VMware, Xen, or Nutanix.
  

• Security & Compliance: Partner with ISSO/ISSE teams to harden systems and maintain alignment with STE/STN standards; execute regular vulnerability patching across Linux systems and assist with Windows Server patch updates.
  

• Vendor & Lifecycle Coordination: Collaborate with external hardware vendors to gather equipment specifications, obtain hardware quotes, and plan scalable system refreshes.
  

Candidate Qualifications

Mandatory Requirements:

• Experience & Education:
  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or related technical field) + 5 years of relevant systems experience, OR
    

  • 9 years of direct systems administration experience without a degree (qualifying for Cloud Administrator Level 1 / CA1).
    

• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance with an active polygraph.
  

• Linux Expertise: Strong hands-on Linux system administration and troubleshooting background.
  

• Physical Infrastructure: Demonstrated ability in rack installations, physical hardware maintenance, cabling, equipment swapping, and system verification.
  

• Physical Capability: Ability to safely lift, move, and rack equipment weighing up to 50 pounds during routine hardware installations and maintenance.
  

• Virtualization: Hands-on experience deploying and administering hypervisors/virtual platforms (VMware, Xen, Nutanix, etc.).
  

• Security Frameworks: Practical working knowledge of vulnerability remediation and STE/STN compliance standards.
  

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Ansible automation, configuration management, and scripting.
  

• Familiarity with Windows Server administration and patching procedures.
  

• Experience using Jira and Confluence for workflow and documentation tracking.
  

Total Rewards & Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
  

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching
  

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) package and paid federal holidays
  

• Paid parental leave
  

• Tuition reimbursement for ongoing academic and professional certification programs
  

• Basic Life, AD&D, and Short-/Long-Term Disability insurance coverage