About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Cloud System Administrator to support cloud infrastructure operations for mission-focused IT work. You’ll help maintain and scale cloud environments, support Windows and Linux servers, and automate routine tasks to improve reliability and deployment speed.

• Administer and maintain Windows and Linux servers and applications running on-prem and in cloud environments.
• Develop and maintain task sequences, packages, and application deployments.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in Windows and Linux server environments.
• Perform server builds, configuration, upgrades, and migrations.
• Monitor system performance, diagnose issues, and implement solutions for high availability.
• Manage Linux packages and dependencies; implement patching, hardening, and compliance controls.
• Administer user accounts, permissions, and security configurations.
• Write scripts (Python, PowerShell, Bash) to automate builds and routine tasks.
• Operate and maintain malware analysis tooling as directed.
• Administer Kubernetes PODs and manage deployments via tools such as ArgoCD and the Kubernetes console.
• Work with CI/CD: clone, commit and push code to GitHub; push builds via Jenkins pipelines to TEST, DEV, UAT, and PRD namespaces.
• Build and provision environments using Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Terraform or Ansible).
• Document processes, runbooks, and standard operating procedures.

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Who You Are / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field — or graduating within 10 months.
• Less than 2 years of prior relevant experience (entry-level).
• Ability to obtain and maintain DHS Public Trust (or equivalent) security clearance.
• Basic understanding of cloud computing concepts (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Fundamental knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Basic networking knowledge (TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls).
• Familiarity with at least one programming language (Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript).
• Strong analytical thinking, troubleshooting ability, and attention to detail.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

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Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Familiarity with Git/GitHub and version control workflows.
• Experience with Jenkins, CI/CD pipelines, and software deployment practices.
• Exposure to containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Experience with ArgoCD or similar GitOps tools.
• Hands-on with Terraform or Ansible for IaC.
• Certifications such as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, AWS Developer Associate, CompTIA ITF+, or Git/GitLab certifications.
• Prior internship or hands-on experience in IT support or systems administration.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $55,000–$106,000 per year (commensurate with experience and qualifications).
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 401(k) plan and retirement benefits.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Additional voluntary insurance options and employee benefits.

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Location & Work Type

• Hybrid role based in Sterling, VA. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site periodically at the Confidential Client Sterling location.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.