Northrop Grumman
Sr. Principal Systems Administrator - Top Secret (Whidbey Island WA)
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Senior-level systems administrator for a classified government contract. Manage Windows/VMware and Linux/Red Hat servers, domain architecture, backups, security auditing, patches, account and permission management, and vendor coordination. Ensure compliance with government security frameworks, prepare security documentation, troubleshoot systems, and support 12-hour on-site shifts with up to 25% travel.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Systems Administrator to join the team of qualified individuals in our Systems Engineering Organization. This role is located onsite in Whidbey Island, Washington.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote work available for this role. Shifts will become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
- Perform as a Windows\VMware System Administrator for a classified government contract.
- Perform as a Linux\Redhat System Administrator for a classified government contract.
- Maintain smooth operation of multi-user computer systems, including coordination with network, software, and system engineers, PC desktop technicians, project managers, end users, and customer and IT management.
- Analyze internal and external customer requirements and determine equipment and software requirements for solutions to problems by means of automated systems.
- Review recommendations and system enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the system including installing, upgrading/patching, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration management.
- Provide backup and recovery services; manage file systems and disk space; manage virus protection on a routine basis.
- Create and maintain user and computer accounts and modify file permissions and security access lists.
- Test new releases of products to ensure compatibility and minimize user impact.
- Develop and document technical processes and procedures as needed.
- Interact, meet, discuss, and troubleshoot issues with vendors; evaluate vendor products, services, and suggestions.
- Adhere to strict Information Systems security guidelines in all cases.
- Maintain security audit and logging information on all classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
- Prepare security documentation for input to Computer Security.
- Report on project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.
- Work under minimal direction and independently determine and develop approach to solutions.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree AND 8 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Master’s degree AND 6 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Associate’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., security, cybersecurity) AND 10 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR High school diploma or GED and 12 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience
- Must have relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or other relevant Certifications AND 10 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience in lieu of degree.
- Must have current CompTIA Security + CE, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire date.
- Must have experience managing Windows Server OS and domain architecture.
- Must have ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Must have ability to work after hours and weekends as needed.
- Must have ability to learn and assist in functional/operational troubleshooting as well as the ability to learn the system operations and troubleshooting fault codes.
- Must have an Active US Government Top Secret Clearance with SCI (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain CI.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) Clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience operating under and managing systems within NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3-ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG information system environments.
- Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining computer hardware in a networked environment.
- Server management experience.
- Currently valid Security+ CE, CASP, CISSP or similar security certification.
- Windows domain architecture experience.
- Understand basic networking, including subnets, routing, and VLANs; Cisco experience and/or certification.
- Windows AD, LDAP, VMWare, and knowledge of SAN storage systems.
- Linux Operating System experience and/or certification for current versions.
- VMWare experience with current version.
- Rudimentary Scripting experience.
- Experience with the creation and deployment of system images in an enterprise environment. - Experience with Certification & Accreditation process.
- DoD 8570 Certification in a primary OS (Windows, Linux, Cisco).
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, with internal and external customers, in written and oral format.
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