Senior Systems Administrator

Leidos is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Systems Administrator to join our team supporting the Air Force National Capitol Region Information Technology Systems National Military Command Center (AFNCR ITS NMCC) at the Pentagon.

As the Senior Systems Administrator, you will have a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital national security mission. You will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the operational integrity of critical systems, working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  In essence, you will be a key problem-solver, responsible for tackling the most challenging technical issues that impact the organization. You will leverage your expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions, improve system stability, and enhance security.

This position is 100% on-site at the Pentagon and an active TS/SCI is required to start.

Primary Responsibilities:

• System Administration (Advanced Troubleshooting):

  • Diagnose and resolve complex issues affecting virtual and physical Windows servers, workstations, and end-user devices, often involving interactions between different systems and applications.

  • Develop and implement solutions for performance bottlenecks in virtual environments (Hyper-V/VMWare), optimizing resource allocation and ensuring stable operation.

  • Create and maintain custom scripts to automate system monitoring, identify potential problems, and proactively address them before they impact users.

  • Develop innovative patching strategies to minimize downtime and ensure system security without disrupting critical business processes.

• Active Directory Management (Complex Configuration and Security):

  • Troubleshoot complex authentication and authorization issues in Active Directory environments, involving intricate group policy configurations and user permissions.

  • Design and implement advanced group policy configurations to enforce security standards across the organization, addressing specific vulnerabilities and compliance requirements.

  • Develop automated solutions for user provisioning and deprovisioning, streamlining the process and ensuring security best practices are followed.

  • Optimize Active Directory infrastructure for performance and scalability, addressing issues related to replication, DNS, and DHCP.

• Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution (Core Responsibility):

  • Isolate and resolve complex hardware and software issues spanning applications, operating systems, and network infrastructure, using a combination of manual checks, GUI-based tools, and PowerShell scripting.

  • Develop and implement innovative solutions to address recurring problems, preventing future incidents and improving system stability.

  • Proactively monitor system logs and performance metrics to identify potential issues before they escalate into major incidents.

  • Document troubleshooting steps and solutions to build a knowledge base for future reference and to facilitate knowledge sharing within the team.

• Security Implementation (Vulnerability Remediation and Hardening):

  • Interpret and implement Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to harden systems against known vulnerabilities, adapting the guidelines to the organization's specific environment.

  • Analyze SCAP scan results and prioritize remediation efforts based on the severity of the vulnerabilities and the potential impact on the organization.

  • Develop automated scripts to remediate security vulnerabilities, minimizing manual effort and ensuring consistent application of security patches.

  • Review ACAS scan results and apply necessary patches to address identified vulnerabilities, while minimizing disruption to critical business functions.

  • Research and stay current with emerging security threats and vulnerabilities, proactively implementing measures to protect the organization's systems and data.

• Project Management (Technical Leadership):

  • Manage and execute IT projects related to system upgrades, security enhancements, and infrastructure improvements, documented within the ticketing system.

  • Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.

  • Lead technical teams in the implementation of project solutions, providing guidance and expertise to ensure successful project completion.

  • Document project outcomes and lessons learned to improve future project management processes.

• Collaboration and Communication: Work effectively within a team environment, interfacing daily with other Leidos work centers and government stakeholders. Provide clear and concise briefings (daily to 844 CS/SCN) and represent the work center in contractor and government meetings.

• Reporting and Metrics: Ensure accurate and timely reporting to meet CDRL requirements. Monitor and maintain compliance metrics for the work center.

• PowerShell Scripting: Develop and maintain PowerShell scripts for automation and system management tasks.

• Upgrade Management: Plan, execute, and manage upgrades for Windows Server environments.

  • Identify assigned systems

  • Track current version

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify any changes needed to accommodate areas of concern

  • Monitor industry trends to leverage efficiency

  • Identify patch availability and impact to environment prior to implementation.

• RMF Support: Collaborate with ISSO/ISSE to ensure system compliance with Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance.

• Certification: Current IAT Level II certification (Security+, CISSP, or equivalent).

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• RMF Knowledge: Demonstrated familiarity with RMF requirements and processes.

• Technical Skills: Proven experience with Windows and Linux OS administration, account creation/closure processes, STIG implementation, and hardware management (servers and end-user devices).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading or supervising technical teams and projects.

• Direct experience working with ISSOs/ISEs on RMF compliance activities.

Original Posting:

May 23, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $89,700.00 - $162,150.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.