Principal Systems Administrator

At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most – solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. It’s what we call Defining Possible.

This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community. Here, your work has real purpose and real‑world impact.

This is more than just a job; it’s a mission.

We are seeking a Principal Systems Administrator to play a critical role in the design, delivery and ongoing support of key enterprise infrastructure that underpins some of the UK’s most important defence and national security programmes.

Working as a senior technical authority within our Systems Administration team, you will provide expert guidance, lead complex technical initiatives and act as a trusted advisor to both internal stakeholders and customers. You will influence technical direction, shape new ways of working and help ensure our services remain resilient, secure and future‑ready.

This is an opportunity to work at scale, tackle complex challenges and contribute to programmes that truly matter.

• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise, advising management and mentoring colleagues across systems administration disciplines
• Design, implement, administer and support complex infrastructure and enterprise systems, ensuring high availability and performance
• Lead systems administration activities on advanced projects and programmes, contributing to technical strategy and delivery outcomes
• Support 24/7 service delivery through participation in the Systems Administration on‑call rota, including planned and unplanned out‑of‑hours changes
• Develop, maintain and promote approved processes and procedures, ensuring compliance with ISO
  20000 and ISO
  27001 standards
• Collaborate with vendors and third‑party partners to support upgrades, resolve issues and drive continuous service improvement

You will bring a strong technical foundation and experience across several of the following areas:

• VMware vSphere 8.0 or above
• Fibre Channel storage technologies, including Dell and Net App
• Citrix Xen App, Xen Desktop and Net Scaler
• Cloud platforms such as AWS and Microsoft Azure
• Microsoft technologies including Windows Server 2019/2022, Exchange and Office 365
• SQL Server administration and database concepts (SQL 2019)
• Certificate Authority administration
• Linux environments and configuration management tools such as Ansible
• Active Directory and federated trust models
• Sound networking knowledge, including TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS and MPLS
• Familiarity with ITIL, Agile and Scrum delivery methodologies

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you can make a strong contribution, we encourage you to apply. We value potential as much as experience.

Due to the nature of our work, you must be a Sole UK National for this clearance type.

You must be able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Clearance (SC) in line with the role.

Our recruitment team is on hand to answer any questions and will guide you through the process:

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career and life outside work, including:

• Flexible hybrid working and optional compressed working pattern, with every other Friday off
• Private healthcare and cash health plan
• Holiday buy and sell options
• Performance‑related bonus scheme
• Career development programmes, training and progression opportunities

Every day, we help build a more secure, connected and resilient world through advanced technology and trusted partnerships.

We foster an inclusive culture where every voice matters, ideas are valued and collaboration is key to our success.

With diverse programmes, cutting‑edge technology and long‑term investment in our people, you can shape a career that grows with you.