Job DescriptionSAIC is seeking an experienced
Senior System Administration Lead in Colorado Springs, CO to manage and enhance our enterprise IT infrastructure on the NITES program, supporting the critical NORAD/NORTHCOM mission. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise across multiple IT domains; including enterprise virtualization (VDI), database administration, web services, network operations, and Service Validation and Testing (SVAT).
This role requires a proven leader capable of managing, mentoring, and guiding a cross-functional team of specialized IT technicians. This individual will oversee the planning, integration, security, and operational maintenance of a highly demanding, geographically dispersed DoD enterprise environment, ensuring full compliance with DoD policies, Zero Trust architecture, and IT service management standards.
Key Responsibilities: - Team Leadership & Management: Direct and mentor a diverse team of technical specialists (System Administrators, VDI Engineers, DBAs, and SVAT Specialists), ensuring operational excellence and continuous professional development.
- Enterprise Infrastructure Oversight: Manage and optimize complex IT environments encompassing Windows ([redacted]) and RHEL Linux servers, Active Directory, and VMware/Nutanix virtualization technologies (including vSphere, vCenter, and Horizon VDI).
- Database & Web Services Management: Oversee the administration of on-premises and cloud-based databases (SQL, Oracle), IIS, ensuring data integrity, backups, and seamless cross-domain integration.
- Security Integration: Supervise and enforce system security protocols, including OS/Application hardening (DISA STIGs), PKI/SSL certificate management, Comply to Connect, and Zero Trust implementations.
- Quality Assurance & Testing (SVAT): Guide the Service Validation and Testing lifecycle. Review test plans, ensure defect management via Ivanti/ServiceNow, oversee the Test and Integration Laboratory (TIL), and present validation documentation at Configuration Advisory Board (CAB) meetings.
- Documentation & Compliance: Ensure the accurate documentation of system configurations, Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs), security policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
QualificationsTYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
Required Skills & Qualifications: - Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI.
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, System Engineering, or a related field plus a minimum of 9 years of relevant IT experience (or Associate degree + 11 years, or High School diploma + 13+ years). Must have proven experience in technical leadership or senior administration role within a DoD environment.
Certifications: - Active DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II or III certification (e.g., Security+ CE, SSCP, CISSP, or CASP+).
- Relevant Computing Environment Certification (e.g., Microsoft Certified Azure/Windows Fundamentals, VMware VCP, Nutanix NCP, or Linux equivalent).
Skills / Competencies: - Domain Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of enterprise virtualization, multi-environment databases, collaboration tools (SharePoint/O365), and core networking principles (TCP/IP, OSI).
- DoD Frameworks: Deep knowledge of Information Assurance Vulnerability Management (IAVM), DISA STIGs, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and high-assurance platform integration.
- Testing & ITSM: Strong grasp of QA processes, system acceptance testing, defect management, and ITIL-based service delivery.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot complex problems, make strategic technical decisions, and lead geographically dispersed technical teams.
- Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate detailed technical information to senior leadership, stakeholders, and technical staff.
Preferred Skills / Certifications / Qualifications: - Advanced Certifications: CISSP or Security X; ITIL v3 or v4 Foundation; VMware Certified Professional (VCP/VCAP); Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert; CCNA/CCNP.
- Scripting & Automation: High proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, JavaScript, and Perl for system automation.
- Advanced Architectures: Experience with domain flattening tools, AWS/Google/Azure GovCloud deployments, and advanced data replication/migration projects.
