Advanced Systems Administration Specialist

Aleron; Pittsfield (MA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Systems Administration Specialist role in Pittsfield, MA offers work within secure enterprise and classified IT environments in a defense-focused organization. The role involves administering, maintaining, and securing physical and virtual infrastructure, applying security controls, and supporting mission-critical systems to ensure high availability and compliance.

You'll collaborate with engineers on virtualization, cybersecurity, and cloud initiatives while advancing technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field with 5+ years of relevant experience (or Master's with 3+ years).
• 5+ years in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, or cybersecurity support.
• 3+ years Linux and/or Windows Server administration.
• 3+ years virtualization (VMware vSphere/Hyper-V).
• 2+ years implementing security controls and compliance initiatives.

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.
• Monitor system performance and health across infrastructure.
• Perform vulnerability scanning, remediation, and patching.
• Manage backups, DR, and business continuity initiatives.
• Implement security controls based on gov/industry standards.
• Support networking, virtualization, storage, and enterprise infra.

Skills

Networking concepts

VMware/Hyper-V

Cybersecurity basics

Scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash)

DevOps tools (GitLab, Jira, Confluence

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Master's degree (optional)

Tools

Red Hat Linux

Windows Server

VMware vSphere/Hyper-V

STIGs/CIS/NIST/CMMC

Vulnerability remediation tooling

Job description

Job Title: Advanced Systems Administration Specialist

Location: Pittsfield, MA

Employment Type: Contract to Direct

Industry: Defense

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.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

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.

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.


• Work Authorization: U.S. Citizenship required.


• 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.