System Administrator

QinetiQ; Aberporth; On-site; GBP 44,550 - 49,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with life assurance

Generous holiday

Health plan

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Employee discounts

Armed Forces Covenant

Job summary

QinetiQ in Aberporth is recruiting a Systems Administrator to maintain the Trials Control System (TCS) and related infrastructure. The role involves supporting, troubleshooting and sustaining server and network environments across development and test networks, ensuring availability and resilience for MoD Aberporth tests.

You will work in a close-knit team, handling change management, procurement support, and documentation, with DV clearance required and a 37‑hour week at MOD Aberporth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related discipline.
• Typically 3–5 years of system administration experience.
• Strong Windows Server administration and enterprise infrastructure support.
• Experience with virtualised environments using VMware ESXi or similar.
• Knowledge of LAN/WAN networking, DNS, DHCP, firewalls, and server hardware maintenance.
• Experience with disaster recovery planning and system resilience.
• Ability to work independently and communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Supporting, troubleshooting and maintaining TCS servers, networks and associated infrastructure
• Managing production environments and supporting range control operations to minimise downtime
• Implementing and supporting system changes through established change management processes
• Managing software and hardware procurement activities, including supplier engagement and contract support
• Maintaining installation, support and technical documentation to ensure systems remain supportable and compliant
• Supporting vulnerability management, system patching, disaster recovery activities and wider IT service operations

Skills

Windows Server

VMware ESXi

Networking

DNS

DHCP

Firewalls

Disaster recovery

Stakeholder communication

Independent work

Education

Degree in Computer Science

Tools

VMware ESXi

Windows Server

Job description

Package: £44,550-£49,500 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20414

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Systems Administrator at our MOD Aberporth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Systems Administrator, you will play a vital role in maintaining and supporting the Trials Control System (TCS), a specialist command, control and instrumentation platform used to support military test ranges, uncrewed vehicles and live-fire training activities.

Day-to-day, you'll support, troubleshoot and maintain critical server and network infrastructure across the TCS Development Environment, TCS Test Network and deployed TCS systems. Working as part of a close-knit team, you'll help ensure the availability and resilience of systems that are central to the safe operation of the MoD Aberporth Weapons Range.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting, troubleshooting and maintaining TCS servers, networks and associated infrastructure
• Managing production environments and supporting range control operations to minimise downtime
• Implementing and supporting system changes through established change management processes
• Managing software and hardware procurement activities, including supplier engagement and contract support
• Maintaining installation, support and technical documentation to ensure systems remain supportable and compliant
• Supporting vulnerability management, system patching, disaster recovery activities and wider IT service operations

Essential experience of the Systems Administrator:

• Previous experience in a System Administrator, Infrastructure Engineer, IT Support Engineer or similar role
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server administration and enterprise infrastructure support
• Experience supporting virtualised environments using VMware ESXi or similar technologies
• Understanding of LAN/WAN networking, DNS, DHCP, firewalls and server hardware maintenance
• Experience with disaster recovery planning, system resilience and operational support
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Essential qualifications for the Systems Administrator:

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related discipline
• Demonstrable equivalent experience, typically gained through 3-5 years of System Administration experience in a similar environment

The following certifications would be advantageous:

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our MOD Aberporth site 5-days per week. MOD Aberporth provides a large secure safety area for the testing of air launched weapons and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Work at MOD Aberporth is conducted on behalf of the MOD, under contract with the Secretary of State for Defence.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be willing to go through DV Clearance.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community