System Administrator (Entry Level to SME) TS/SCI with Poly REQUIRED
The System Administrator role at Confidential Client supports the national security mission by maintaining and advancing IT infrastructure across multiple experience levels, from entry to SME. Responsibilities include technical support, user and system management, infrastructure administration, security compliance, automation, and vendor coordination. The position requires a TS/SCI with Poly clearance and offers a hybrid work model in Arlington, VA, emphasizing collaboration, continuous learning, and leadership in complex IT environments.
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, Information Technology (Defense & Intelligence).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client is hiring a System Administrator (Entry Level through SME) to support mission-critical IT systems in the Defense & Intelligence space. This role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph. The position is based in Fort Myer / Arlington, VA with a hybrid work model possible. Candidates at multiple experience levels (Entry, Junior, Mid, Senior, SME) will be considered; responsibilities and expectations scale by level.
What You’ll Do
Entry-Level — Core responsibilities
- Troubleshoot and resolve routine desktop, laptop, and software issues for end users.
- Assist with onboarding: create accounts, manage passwords, and configure basic permissions.
- Help image, deploy, and decommission hardware (desktops, laptops, peripherals).
- Monitor basic system logs and validate that automated backups complete successfully.
- Maintain IT asset inventory and update internal knowledge base documentation.
Junior — Day-to-day IT support & escalation
- Serve as first-line technical contact via ticketing, phone, and email.
- Manage user accounts and permissions in Active Directory / Entra ID; perform onboarding/offboarding.
- Deploy routine software updates and verify backup/restore processes.
- Install and troubleshoot hardware and common business applications.
- Escalate more complex incidents to Tier-2/Tier-3 teams.
Mid-Level — Infrastructure administration
- Administer and monitor on-prem and virtualized servers, SAN/NAS storage, and cloud resources (AWS, Azure).
- Troubleshoot medium-complexity network, server, and storage issues.
- Create and maintain automation scripts (PowerShell, Python, Bash) for routine tasks and patching.
- Implement identity & access controls, group policies, and enterprise directory services.
- Assist with vulnerability remediation, patching, and compliance audits.
- Maintain architecture and SOP documentation; coordinate vendor support when required.
Senior — Architecture, incident ownership, and advanced automation
- Lead Tier-3 incident response and own Priority-1 outages (large-scale AD, storage, or ransomware events).
- Perform root cause analysis and design remediation plans to prevent recurrence.
- Architect and deploy clustered, highly-available environments and advanced DR solutions.
- Lead complex Active Directory / tenant migrations and cross-forest consolidations.
- Introduce Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible) and advanced automation to reduce manual toil.
SME — Enterprise strategy, security, and leadership
- Design and manage enterprise-scale hybrid cloud/on-prem architectures with high availability and multi-site redundancy.
- Lead vulnerability management, enforce STIGs/benchmarks, and oversee incident response and forensics.
- Drive automation across the enterprise (IaC, APIs, orchestration) and integrate toolchains.
- Mentor and lead technical teams, act as final escalation for critical outages, and coordinate cross-vendor resolution.
- Partner with security, compliance, and program leadership on governance and audit readiness.
Who You Are / Required Qualifications
Clearance
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph required for all candidates.
Education & Experience (varies by level)
- Entry Level: HS/GED + 4 years relevant experience OR Associate + 2 years OR Bachelor’s degree (0 years).
- Junior: HS/GED + 6 yrs OR Associate + 4 yrs OR Bachelor’s + 2 yrs OR Master’s (0 yrs).
- Mid-Level: HS/GED + 8 yrs OR Associate + 6 yrs OR Bachelor’s + 4 yrs OR Master’s + 2 yrs.
- Senior: HS/GED + 10 yrs OR Associate + 8 yrs OR Bachelor’s + 6 yrs OR Master’s + 4 yrs.
- SME: HS/GED + 12 yrs OR Associate + 10 yrs OR Bachelor’s + 8 yrs OR Master’s + 6 yrs.
Technical skills (examples; depth depends on level)
- Operating systems: Windows Server, modern Windows clients, macOS, Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL).
- Virtualization & compute: VMware vSphere, Hyper-V; hyper-converged systems.
- Storage & networking: SAN/NAS concepts, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, LAN/WAN troubleshooting.
- Cloud: AWS and/or Azure administration and hybrid integrations.
- Directory services & identity: Active Directory, Entra ID (Azure AD), Group Policy.
- Automation & scripting: PowerShell required at mid+; Python/Bash beneficial. IaC tools like Terraform, Ansible preferred for higher levels.
- Monitoring & tools: Enterprise monitoring (Datadog, SolarWinds), backup/replication technologies.
- Security & compliance: Patch management, endpoint protection, vulnerability remediation, familiarity with NIST/DoD guidance, STIGs (for senior/SME).
Preferred certifications (depending on level)
- CompTIA Security+/Network+/Server+; Microsoft (M365, Azure), MCSE; VMware VCP/VCAP; AWS/SysOps; RHCE; CISSP for security-focused SMEs; Cisco CCNA.
Soft skills
- Strong written and verbal communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Logical troubleshooting approach and ability to document findings and procedures.
- Team-oriented, adaptable, and committed to mission success.
Compensation & Benefits
- A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is $89,600.00 - $204,000.00 per year. Actual pay depends on experience, level, certifications, and other factors.
- Benefits for eligible employees typically include comprehensive medical plans, 401(k) matching, paid time off, parental leave, tuition assistance, and wellness resources.
- Confidential Client provides benefits to eligible hires beginning on day one of employment (programs vary by role and location).
Why Join
- Work on mission-critical IT and intelligence systems that directly support national security.
- Broad career path — hire at entry-level and grow into SME/leadership roles with training and certification support.
- Collaborative, outcome-driven environment where technical ownership and continuous learning are encouraged.
Location & Work Model
- Primary location: Fort Myer / Arlington, VA (22212).
- Hybrid work model is acceptable; exact on-site/hybrid schedule will be defined by program and security requirements.
- Must be eligible to hold and maintain an active TS/SCI with polygraph.
About the Industry
This opportunity sits at the intersection of Information Technology and Defense & Intelligence. Employees will support secure enterprise infrastructure, hybrid cloud architectures, and high-assurance operational environments.
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.
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