Systems Administrator SME

Systems Administrator SME

Location: Colorado Springs
Company: Astrion
Clearance: Active Top Secret with /SCI ability
Job Status: Full-Time

Salary: 165,000 to 185,000

Job Summary

Astrion is seeking a Systems Administrator - Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide high-level technical expertise and leadership in support of mission-critical systems. This role is focused on ensuring the reliable operation, integration, and optimization of enterprise systems in secure DoD/Space Force environments. The SME will be recognized for their technical knowledge, judgment, and ability to generate innovative solutions to complex problems, while providing technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience:
• 9+ years with bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field, or
• 7+ years with master's degree, or
• 4+ years with PhD.
• Proven track record in systems administration of enterprise-level, mission-critical environments.
• Deep knowledge of system administration tools, operating systems (Linux/Windows/UNIX), virtualization, and storage solutions.
• Experience developing and implementing process improvements or system enhancements in complex technical environments.
• Strong understanding of security controls, risk management, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with ability to direct technical teams and provide mentorship.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with DoD IT/Space Systems environments.
• Experience with cloud architecture, automation (Ansible, Puppet, etc.), and CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of Jira/Confluence for tracking, reporting, and documentation.
• Certifications such as Security+ CE, CISSP, Linux+, or Microsoft/VMware certifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize the operation of multi-user computer systems, including servers, storage, and networks, ensuring availability, reliability, and performance.
• Provide SME-level technical guidance on engineering principles, tools, and practices for system administration and integration.
• Develop and implement advanced solutions to difficult technical problems, driving system improvements and process optimizations.
• Lead engineering and systems administration activities within specialized technical areas, including security hardening, patching, and performance tuning.
• Utilize state-of-the-art tools, simulation environments, laboratories, and test facilities to solve complex integration and performance challenges.
• Oversee system installation, configuration, upgrades, and monitoring; recommend enhancements to hardware/software to improve mission performance.
• Define, document, and enforce system policies, configuration management standards, and operational procedures.
• Contribute to technical planning processes and provide strategic direction for system administration efforts across programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, government stakeholders, and vendors to ensure alignment with mission objectives.
• Mentor and guide junior administrators and engineers in best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and system lifecycle management.