IT Specialist; SysAdmin​/Network

Position: IT Specialist (SysAdmin/Network)
# IT Specialist (Sys Admin/Network)--
- *
* Employer:

** Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory--
- ** Job :
** PHI-JOB-   |  
** Posted on:
** 2026/07/18
*
* Location:

** Burlington, MA   |  
** Country:
** United States of America
** Work Arrangement:
** On-site   |  
** Job Type:
** Full-time
** Salary:** $84,579-$156,715/year   |  
** Job Status:
** Active---## Job Overview
* Requires U.S. person status (citizen, permanent resident, or national of a country eligible for an export license) due to export-controlled work.
* The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is seeking an IT Specialist (Systems Administration/Network Services) for the Chandra Operations Control Center within its High Energy Astrophysics Division. This is a full-time, Trust Fund position based in Burlington, MA — a career-ladder role with non-competitive promotion potential from grade 11 up to grade 13 based on performance and qualifications.

The role manages a network of Windows and Linux workstations and servers, maintains Linux servers running Apache, Tomcat, and SVN, manages the VMware/vSAN environment, monitors and troubleshoots network security, implements system backup and recovery strategies, and serves as the primary point of contact for OCC computer users. At grade 12, duties expand to Cisco networking equipment; at grade 13, to lead systems administrator responsibilities including centralized storage (Net App) and advanced virtualized systems.

Requirements:
* Grade 11: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to grade 9 (e.g., backup systems, user/group administration, Windows/Linux desktop support, JIRA), or a Ph.D./3 years of doctoral-level graduate education in a related field
* Grade 12: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to grade 11 (authentication systems, ACLs, system monitoring, VMware management)
* Grade 13: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to grade 12 (new technology implementation, security systems, Net App storage management)
* Knowledge of Linux server security, high-availability network practices, and backup/recovery technologies
* Experience with Net App, JIRA, Windows AD, Exchange, and Dell hardware highly desirable
* Editorially sourced — This listing was identified and summarized by Pitchly Hire from the Smithsonian Institution’s public careers page. It is not a paid listing. Apply via the employer’s official page.
* #J-18808-Ljbffr