SMS is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to support enterprise backup, storage, and virtualization operations for a high-profile DoD program. This role will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of data protection solutions, including a migration from Commvault to Veeam, within a secure, large-scale environment.
Job Responsibilities - Lead administration and optimization of enterprise backup and recovery solutions (Commvault transitioning to Veeam).
- Architect and implement backup, storage, and disaster recovery strategies across physical and virtual environments.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for data protection, storage management, and recovery operations.
- Administer and troubleshoot Windows Server environments, including performance tuning, patching, and system optimization.
- Manage and optimize VMware infrastructure (vSphere, Horizon, VDI) supporting enterprise workloads.
- Ensure systems meet DISA STIG and DoD security requirements, lead hardening and compliance efforts.
- Analyze system performance, identify trends, and proactively resolve complex infrastructure issues.
- Lead incident response and root cause analysis for backup, storage, and system failures.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs, architecture documentation, and operational standards.
- Collaborate with PMO, engineering, cybersecurity, and Tiered support teams to drive system improvements.
- Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and architectures to enhance performance and resiliency.
- Mentor junior administrators and provide technical leadership across the team.
Required Qualifications - The candidate must have bachelor's degree with 8-12 years of prior relevant experience or a Master's Degree with 6-10 years of prior relevant experience. Additional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of a degree.
- Candidate must, at a minimum, meet DoD 8570.11- IAT Level II certification requirements (currently Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, GSEC, or SSCP).
- Extensive experience with enterprise backup platforms (Veeam strongly preferred; Commvault experience highly desired).
- Strong expertise in Windows Server administration.
- Advanced experience with VMware technologies (vSphere, Horizon, VDI).
- Deep understanding of DISA STIGs, system hardening, and DoD security compliance frameworks.
- Proven experience designing and implementing backup, recovery, and storage solutions.
- Strong troubleshooting skills across systems, virtualization, and storage layers.
- Experience leading technical efforts and mentoring junior staff.
- Excellent documentation and communication skills.
- An active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required for this position.
