System Administrator - VM Ware

Position Description

ERT is seeking an experienced System Administrator with expertise in VMware to join a team dedicated to the operations and maintenance of the ground systems for NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO) environmental-monitoring satellite missions. Data from our missions is used in weather forecasting, climate research, forest fire detection, search and rescue, and much more. The system administrators provide onsite IT support in collaboration with government technical leads.

• On-site work at NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, MD
• Care and nurturing of multiple VMware instances
• Troubleshoot real-time anomalies
• Ensure accountability and proper operation of all hardware and software
• Setup and maintain automated alerts and reports
• OS and software installations, upgrades, and security patches/virus protection
• Hardware hot swaps and rebuild/reimaging
• Coordinate system modifications with satellite operations team to avoid disruption of service
• Audit and maintain inventories of servers, workstations, software, and licenses
• Analyze system requirements and performance of hardware/software systems, and develop specific measures to increase the overall efficiency of these systems
• Installation, management and routine upgrades of VMware infrastructure
• Follow CM and issue-tracking processes
• Manage Firmware updates on Host hardware, ESX Patches, VMware Tools versions, and VM with snapshots
• Perform day to day troubleshooting and maintenance of VMware ESXi, vCenter and related servers
• Apply DISA STIGs against VMware servers and related installed software
• Develop and maintain automation of VMware infrastructure management
• Develop operation procedures of VMware infrastructure for Operations team
• Produce internal how-tos to facilitate cross-training team members
• Provide off‑hour, on‑call emergency support (on a rotating basis with team members; this is a rarity on the order of once every few months)

• Extensive knowledge and hands‑on experience with the fundamentals of VMware ESX, networking and storage related to the VMware environment.
• Knowledge of database language (most useful is SQL)
• Experience on Commvault Backup application or equivalent.
• Experience managing Windows and Linux; or training in the form of certificates or a degree.
• Technical communication skills to gather information, report status, and record detailed task closure information. Independent learner and independently motivated.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional analytical and technical aptitude.
• Great organizational, time management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a VMware engineer
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as Windows Administrator
• Hands‑on experience with VMware VRealize, VCSA, datastore and network management
• Experience in design, deployment and management of a VMware server environment, including integration with enterprise storage and virtual networking
• Hands‑on experience with VMware High Availability, DRS, VMotion, and VRops
• Experience troubleshooting ESX issues related to storage, network and performance issues
• Leadership/mentoring skills: ability to explain both written/verbally how to perform a task
• Experience with one or more of the following enterprise tools:
  Active Directory, Big Fix, Solar Winds, Tripwire (TE and TLC), McAfee ePO, Microsoft SQL Server
• Expertise in Power Shell or alternate scripting
• Experience with network administration and/or programming for troubleshooting in collaboration with wider team

BS in Information Technology, Computer Science, related discipline, or equivalent.

Work is required to be completed on-site at NSOF in Suitland, MD.

The salary range for this role is $60,000 – $174,000 per year. This range is a good‑faith estimate based on similar roles across the organization. ERT considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including the location, scope, and associated responsibilities of the…