IT Platform Administrator (ARL)

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks an IT Platform Administrator to join Enterprise IT. The role provides systems administration, computing support, and specialized services to enable research and administrative functions, ensuring security, compliance, and reliability of critical systems through hands-on configuration.

The position requires strong Windows and Red Hat Linux administration, Active Directory and PKI/Identity management, and the ability to lead technical

Qualifications

• Eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; government background check may be required.
• Willingness to obtain DoD 8140/8570 certification within one year.
• Experience administering Windows and Red Hat Linux servers at an enterprise level.
• Knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, Windows Server Admin, NTFS permissions, DNS.
• Experience leading technical projects in a high-security research computing environment.
• Proven ability to communicate well and work across teams on complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Administer identity and access management, authentication services, privileged account controls, certificate management, and role-based access to protect research data.
• Install, configure, secure, maintain, and upgrade Windows and Linux servers, enterprise services, storage, and research computing environments.
• Monitor security events, vulnerabilities, and compliance; investigate anomalies; coordinate incident response; implement corrective actions.
• Monitor availability, performance, capacity, and reliability; troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues to minimize operational impact.
• Develop system diagrams, baselines, procedures, disaster recovery docs, and security records for audits and accreditation.
• Provide advanced technical support for complex issues; mentor staff; contribute to infrastructure modernization and research initiatives.
• Collaborate on design of technical infrastructures aligned to goals.

Skills

Identity & Access Management

Windows Server Administration

Red Hat Linux Administration

Active Directory

Group Policy

DNS

PowerShell

SCCM

Ansible

Red Hat IDM

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Active Directory

Group Policy

Windows Server Admin

NTFS Permissions

DNS

PowerShell

SCCM

Ansible

Redhat IDM

ECS

Unity

Isilon

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

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)

Location and Working Hours

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Hybrid work opportunities may be an option after acclimating to the role. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Bachelor's Degree

3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications: None