Classified Senior System Administrator

Description

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic classified environment?

Do you want to be empowered to take ownership and have a stake in the overall engineering and operations of a secure IT infrastructure? Are you interested in working with a wide range of technologies, learning continuously, and helping drive your team toward operational excellence?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) - ranked by Computerworld as one of the Top Places to Work in IT for multiple years running.

We are seeking a System Administrator with extensive classified systems experience to manage, secure, and evolve our mission-critical environments. This position is ideal for a motivated systems engineer ready to hit the ground running, take ownership of complex systems, and help elevate team performance.

• Manage, configure, and maintain a wide range of classified IT systems including VMware, Microsoft Exchange, Windows Server, and enterprise storage and backup platforms.
• Oversee VMware vCenter, ESXi, and Horizon VDI (RDSH and Desktop) environments, ensuring stability, scalability, and security across multiple networks.
• Administer Microsoft technologies including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Certificate Authority, WSUS patching, SQL, and SharePoint.
• Manage Exchange environments, including mail routing, malware filtering, and tuning for performance and security.
• Design, deploy, and maintain Dell and Net App enterprise storage systems and manage backup infrastructures using platforms such as Rubrik, Commvault, Veeam, or Net Backup.
• Ensure compliance with DoD and APL security requirements by applying STIGs, remediating vulnerabilities via Tenable Nessus, and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
• Implement security measures, configure access controls, and maintain logging and patch management processes across systems and applications.
• Collaborate with networking, cybersecurity, and development teams to support infrastructure projects, migrations, and upgrades.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, SOPs, and recovery plans; continuously refine processes to enhance efficiency and reliability.
• Mentor junior administrators, promote technical growth within the team, and contribute to a positive, solutions-driven environment.

You meet our minimum qualifications if you have...

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• At least 5 years of hands‑on experience administering and securing classified systems within DoD or similar environments.
• Proven expertise with VMware (vCenter, ESXi, Horizon), Microsoft Server technologies (AD, DNS, DHCP, GPO), and enterprise storage and backup systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills, with an ability to solve complex infrastructure challenges independently.
• Experience applying STIGs, managing POA&Ms, and ensuring DoD compliance across multiple systems.
• Current DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II or higher certification (e.g., Security+ CE, CISSP).
• An active Secret clearance and eligibility to obtain a Top‑Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

• Hold a Master's degree in Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or Computer Science.
• Possess advanced certifications such as VMware Certified Professional (VCP), MCSE, or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
• Have experience with Power Shell or Python scripting to automate tasks and optimize workflows.
• Have experience configuring Arista and Cisco network switches.
• Have experience configuring Palo Alto firewalls.
• Are proficient with Rubrik, Net App, Dell Unity, or S3‑compatible storage solutions.
• Have led projects, mentored peers, or introduced process improvements in classified or enterprise environments.
• Understand and apply disaster recovery and business continuity best practices for virtualized and hybrid infrastructures.
• Hold an active Top‑Secret clearance or higher.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings…