Advanced Systems Administration Specialist

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Pittsfield (MA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking an Advanced Systems Administration Specialist in Pittsfield, MA to administer secure server environments and support mission-critical systems. The role emphasizes Linux/Windows administration, virtualization, and security compliance within classified settings.

Responsibilities include deploying infrastructure, vulnerability remediation, backups, and change-management driven upgrades. A background in cybersecurity standards and DoD-scope environments is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with relevant experience in systems administration, infra engineering, or cybersecurity support.
• Experience in administering Linux/Windows server environments and virtualization platforms.
• Experience implementing security controls, hardening, and compliance initiatives.
• Familiarity with STIGs, CIS Benchmarks, NIST 800-171/800-53, CMMC.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain secure physical and virtual server environments.
• Design, deploy, test, and support new infrastructure and system solutions.
• Provide day-to-day support for classified and secure IT environments.
• Serve as a front-line technical resource for end-user support and troubleshooting.
• Monitor system performance, availability, and infrastructure health.
• Perform vulnerability scanning, remediation, and patch management.

Skills

Red Hat Linux

Windows Server

VMware/Hyper‑V

Cybersecurity compliance

Networking concepts

Scripting (Python/PowerShell)

Infrastructure automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Master’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

GitLab

JIRA

Confluence

Docker

Job description

Advanced Systems Administration Specialist

Job Title: Advanced Systems Administration Specialist

Location: Pittsfield, MA

Employment Type: Contract to Direct

Compensation: $55.91

About the Opportunity:

We are seeking an Advanced Systems Administration Specialist to support secure enterprise and classified IT environments within a highly specialized engineering and cybersecurity organization. In this role, you'll be responsible for administering, maintaining, securing, and enhancing both physical and virtual infrastructure while supporting mission-critical systems that contribute to national defense and advanced technology programs.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• Support highly secure and innovative technology environments serving critical national security missions.
• Work with advanced technologies across virtualization, cybersecurity, cloud, networking, and systems administration.
• Collaborate with experienced engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and infrastructure specialists.
• Gain exposure to cutting-edge cyber, RF, cloud-native, AI, and emerging technology initiatives.
• Enjoy opportunities for continuous technical learning, certification growth, and career advancement.

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple secure infrastructures while supporting complex systems that require high availability, security, and compliance. You'll play a key role in modernizing infrastructure, resolving challenging technical issues, implementing security controls, and supporting advanced cyber initiatives that directly impact mission success.

What You’ll Do:

• Administer and maintain secure physical and virtual server environments.
• Design, deploy, test, and support new infrastructure and system solutions.
• Provide day-to-day support for classified and secure IT environments.
• Serve as a front-line technical resource for end‑user support, troubleshooting, and system administration.
• Monitor system performance, availability, and overall infrastructure health.
• Perform vulnerability scanning, remediation, and corrective actions.
• Apply operating system and application patches to maintain security compliance.
• Manage backups, disaster recovery processes, and business continuity initiatives.
• Implement and maintain security controls based on government and industry standards.
• Support networking, virtualization, storage, and enterprise infrastructure technologies.
• Work within change management processes to execute upgrades, system modifications, and infrastructure improvements.
• Support compliance efforts related to cybersecurity and information assurance requirements.
• Research, diagnose, and resolve complex hardware, software, and network issues.

Job Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, enterprise IT, or cybersecurity support.
• 3+ years of experience administering Red Hat Linux and/or Windows Server environments.
• 3+ years of experience supporting VMware vSphere, Hyper‑V, or similar virtualization platforms.
• 3+ years of experience designing, deploying, and maintaining secure enterprise infrastructure environments.
• 2+ years of experience implementing security controls, system hardening, vulnerability remediation, and compliance initiatives.
• 2+ years of experience working with STIGs, CIS Benchmarks, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, CMMC, or similar cybersecurity frameworks.
• 2+ years of experience performing vulnerability assessments, patch management, and security remediation activities.
• 2+ years of experience supporting backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions.
• 2+ years of experience troubleshooting complex hardware, software, network, virtualization, and infrastructure issues.

What Sets You Apart:

• Strong understanding of networking concepts including TCP/IP, DNS, routing, switching, firewalls, and enterprise network troubleshooting.
• Experience working within formal change management and configuration management processes.
• Experience with infrastructure automation and scripting using Python, PowerShell, Bash, Ansible, or similar tools.
• Experience using DevOps and collaboration tools such as GitLab, JIRA, Confluence, and Docker.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to support both technical and non‑technical users.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to evolving security and infrastructure requirements.
• Interest in leveraging AI‑enabled tools to improve operational efficiency, automation, and system administration practices.

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and drug screen.
• Overtime: May be required based on operational and project requirements.
• Work Environment: Secure enterprise and classified IT infrastructure supporting advanced engineering, cybersecurity, and defense programs.
• Top Skills: Red Hat Linux, Windows Server, VMware/Hyper‑V, cybersecurity compliance, vulnerability remediation, networking, and enterprise infrastructure administration.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret DoD security clearance.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.