Hardware System Administrator

Northrop Grumman; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development

Purchased annual leave – 2 weeks

Salary packaging

Parental leave – 18 Weeks

Volunteer and Reservist Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Australia is seeking a Hardware System Administrator to join the DARC program in Exmouth, WA, supporting live mission systems and night-shift operations. You will work with a small onsite team, ensuring system availability and rapid issue resolution while coordinating with US teams.

You must hold an NV1 clearance and have, or be able to obtain, Security+ quickly. Relocation assistance is provided for this unique program.

Qualifications

• Strong Linux and infrastructure experience.
• NV1 security clearance and ability to obtain Security+.
• Australian citizenship and readiness to relocate to Exmouth.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Linux systems through patching, monitoring and fixes.
• Manage user access and resolve issues during live operations.
• Troubleshoot across systems to restore availability quickly.
• Support mission operators with real-time technical issues.
• Work with US teams and IROC during operations.
• Make on-site decisions and resolve incidents end-to-end.
• Support a night shift roster to match US daytime.

Skills

Linux

NV1 clearance

Security+ certification

Australian Citizenship

Troubleshooting

Tools

Cisco networking

Job description

We are Northrop Grumman Australia (NGA). Our 800 strong team is leveraging unparalleled global resources to deliver sovereign Defence capability aligned to the Government’s priorities across Aeronautics, Mission Critical Systems, Space and Guided Weapons. As we build our business and our capabilities, we are also developing a reputation as a great place to work. Help us define what is possible for our nation and for your career.

The Role:

Northrop Grumman Australia is seeking a Hardware System Administrator to join the DARC program in Exmouth, WA as we continue to expand our on the ground team.

DARC is a first-of-its-kind capability, supporting space domain awareness through advanced, high-performance systems. It’s a genuinely unique environment, combining cutting-edge technology with real operational outcomes that matter.

In this role, you’ll be part of a small, highly capable onsite team responsible for keeping mission systems running during live operations. You’ll work closely with mission operators and US-based teams, staying connected to real-time activity and decision making.

You’ll initially step into a night shift pattern supporting operational missions, where your work directly enables system availability, data collection and transmission. When issues arise, you are the person on the ground working through them, making decisions and keeping things moving.

This role offers strong exposure to complex systems, real ownership, and the kind of work that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

A generous relocation package and allowances are included to support the move to Exmouth, WA.

Australian Citizenship and a minimum NV1 clearance are mandatory to be considered for this opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

You will support live systems and keep them running during operations.

This includes:

• Maintaining Linux systems through patching, monitoring and fixes
• Managing user access and resolving issues during live operations
• Troubleshooting across systems to restore availability quickly
• Supporting mission operators with real-time technical issues
• Working closely with US teams and Integrated Remote Operations Centre (IROC) during operations
• Making on-site decisions and resolving incidents end-to-end
• Supporting a night shift roster to match the day shift in the US

About You

You’ve been there and done it, and you’re ready for something more interesting. You want to work on advanced systems, not just keep the lights on.

You bring strong Linux and infrastructure experience, with solid Cisco networking fundamentals across routing and switching. You can troubleshoot across systems and work problems through end-to-end.

You’re comfortable working in real time, supporting users and keeping systems operational when it counts. You stay calm, take ownership, and get things back on track.

You’re open to night shifts and relocating to Exmouth, knowing the trade-off is exposure to a genuinely unique program.

You must hold an NV1 clearance and have, or be able to obtain, Security+ certification quickly.

What we Offer

• Professional Development – further education, leadership development, professional industry memberships and unlimited access to a range of online training
• Purchased annual leave – 2 weeks
• Salary packaging including novated car leases
• Generous paid parental leave – 18 Weeks
• Volunteer and enhanced Reservist Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

Everyone Matters

Doing the right thing and sharing success are two values underpinning how we behave at Northrop Grumman. Here, everyone matters including candidates from diverse backgrounds.

We are particularly proud of our commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as demonstrated through our Second Innovate RAP (2024-2026), and our support for Veteran employment, and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Veterans to apply to join our team.

As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable, as such your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. You will also need to satisfy police checks and employment screening verification.

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