IT Platform Administrator (ARL)

Penn State; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State is seeking an IT Platform Administrator to manage identity and access, administer Windows and Red Hat Linux servers, and support secure research computing environments. The role includes system security, audits, and incident response in a high-security lab setting.

Applicants should have enterprise Windows/Linux experience, a related associate degree, and be eligible for DoD-level clearances.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree required.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher.
• Willingness to obtain DoD 8140/8570 certification within one year.
• Experience with Windows and Red Hat Linux servers in an enterprise setting.

Responsibilities

• Administer identity and access management, authentication services, privileged account controls, and certificate management.
• Install, configure, secure, maintain, and upgrade Windows and Linux servers and enterprise services.
• Monitor security events, vulnerabilities, and compliance; investigate anomalies and coordinate response.
• Maintain system architecture diagrams, runbooks, DR docs, and security records for audits.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to infrastructure modernization and research initiatives.

Skills

Identity & access management

Windows Server Administration

Linux administration

Active Directory

Group Policy

PowerShell scripting

SCCM

Ansible

Red Hat IDM

Exchange hybrid

PKI/Certificate management

Storage systems (ECS/Unity/PowerScale/

Education

Associate Degree

Tools

SCCM

Ansible

PowerShell

Red Hat IDM

Job description

We are searching for a highly motivated IT Platform Administrator to join Enterprise IT at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will provide systems administration, computing support, and specialized support services for the enablement of key research and administrative functions by ensuring the security, compliance, functionality, and reliability of research and administrative systems through hands on configuration and support. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. **You will:*** Administer identity and access management, authentication services, privileged account controls, certificate management, and role-based access to ensure appropriate protection of research data and information systems* Install, configure, administer, secure, maintain, and upgrade physical and virtual servers, operating systems, enterprise services, storage platforms, and specialized research computing environments supporting scientific, engineering, and business operations* Monitor security events, vulnerabilities, system alerts, and compliance status; investigate anomalies; coordinate incident response activities; and implement corrective and preventative actions* Monitor system availability, performance, capacity, and reliability; proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system, hardware, software, and infrastructure issues to minimize operational impact* Develop and maintain system architecture diagrams, configuration baselines, operating procedures, disaster recovery documentation, security documentation, and other technical records required for operational support, audits, and system accreditation* Provide advanced technical support for complex end-user and application issues; mentor less experienced technical staff; and contribute technical expertise to infrastructure modernization and research initiatives* Collaborate with IT colleagues on the design of technical infrastructures targeting specific goals **Required skills/experience areas include:*** Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required* Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD 8140/8570 certification or higher (Security+, CASP+, CySA+), within one year of start date* Demonstrated experience in the enterprise level administration of Windows and Red Hat Linux Servers* Knowledge and experience with Infrastructure Core Services: Active Directory management; Group Policy; Windows Server Administration; NTFS Permissions; DNS; and maintenance of secure Windows servers* Experience operating in, and leading, technical projects in a high-security research computing environment* Success in an environment where various forms of communication and organizational skills are crucial to be effective* Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to identify, define, and formulate ideas that produce results* Systems integration in a heterogeneous network environment **Preferred skills/experience areas include:*** Microsoft Entra Administration* Identity and Access Management and PKI Infrastructure* Enterprise level administration of both Windows and Linux systems* A strong understanding of Microsoft Exchange in a hybrid environment.* PowerShell scripting, system maintenance and automation of tasks* Developing and maintaining secure Windows and Linux system baseline configurations* Enterprise storage resources (ECS, Unity, PowerScale, Isilon)* Enterprise systems management software (SCCM, Ansible, Redhat IDM) **MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS**Associate DegreeNo prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.Required Certifications:None### ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu**.** **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.### Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. **SALARY & BENEFITS**The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $62,304.00 - $93,504.00.