Systems Administrator​/Cybersecurity Engineer

Systems Administrator/Cybersecurity Engineer

Job Category
: NSF Administration

Requisition Number
: CYBER
005605

• Posted :
  September 1, 2026
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Showing 1 location

Boulder, CO 80303, USA

The National Solar Observatory is seeking a Systems Administrator/Cybersecurity Engineer to strengthen and support our IT infrastructure, protect critical systems from cyber threats, and lead technical projects that enhance security, reliability, and user experience across the organization. This is a role with dual responsibilities, outlined below.

The Cybersecurity Engineer role is responsible for tasks including process building and documentation of activities related to this area. The Cybersecurity Engineer will operate independently and as part of a team to ensure software, hardware, and related components are protected from cyber-attacks. Responsibilities will include developing security processes, analyzing current systems for vulnerabilities, and handling any and all security incidents in an efficient and effective manner.

Candidates should have strong IT skills an understanding of cyber hacker methodology. Further responsibilities include using their skills to detect insecure features and malicious activities within our networks and infrastructure. They will create and implement customized security assessments for asset risk, policy compliance as well as conduct vulnerability assessment.

The Systems Administrator role will be part of the NSO Information Technology team supporting all facilities within the Observatory. This position will be responsible for executing high-scale and high visibility projects promoting the posture of the IT infrastructure and its users, requiring frequent interaction with leadership and upper management. Responsibilities include IT service design (eg. documentation management solution), administration of server operating systems, network administration, system hardware, virtual machine environment, facility systems (VOIP, AV, etc.),

troubleshooting computer system issues and diagnosing system performance. This position will also serve NSO staff seeking technical assistance and resolve technical problems with their client endpoint systems including MacOS, Linux and Windows.

Cybersecurity Engineer

• Work with the Head of Information Technology in the development and implementation of effective and reasonable policies and practices to secure NSO information assets.
• Safeguards information system assets by identifying and solving potential security problems through vulnerability scanning and system patching
• Recognizes problems by identifying abnormalities, reporting issues, and actual security problems.
• Plan, implement, manage, monitor, and upgrade security measures for the protection of the organization's data, systems, and networks
• Respond to all system and network security breaches following the NSO Cybersecurity Incident Response policy
• Create an education and awareness program to educate all NSO personnel on security issues, NSO security policies, and security best practices
• Work with the Head of Information Technology on the selection of a baseline control set, and the prioritization and implementation of security controls
• Select and drive deployment of additional and alternate controls targeted at the NSO’s specialized needs
• Lead the development and upkeep of documentation on the NSOs information assets
• Develop a classification structure for the NSO’s information assets
• Work with the Head of Information Technology to establish annual and long-range security goals, define security strategies, metrics, reporting mechanisms and program services; and create a roadmap for program improvements
• Engage in professional development to maintain continual growth in professional skills and knowledge essential to the position

Systems Administrator

• Manage the NSO IT server infrastructure, including:
• Virtual Machine host and guest servers
• VMware and Linux KVM virtual machine management
• DNS Updates, DHCP, LDAP and NTP management
• LDAP and Windows Active Directory administration
• Storage Systems and Data Backup management
• Communicate with project managers, system managers and the user community regarding computer systems support requirements and solutions
• Analyze and evaluate computer systems performance, diagnoses problems, evaluates hardware and operating system function and performance, as required
• Perform preventative (patching, updates) and emergency systems maintenance (eg. failed desktop/server)
• Design, develop, and maintain network, system, infrastructure and user documentation, system procedures, and operator instructions
• Administer, install and troubleshoot a variety of end‑user operating systems
• Perform systems maintenance tasks, such as system back‑up, recovery and file maintenance
• Troubleshoot software including email clients, Office software, network monitoring tools and system performance tools
• Provide technical support to users by researching and answering questions,…