IT Platform Administrator (ARL)

Penn State University; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Robust retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in Warminster, PA seeks an IT Platform Administrator to secure and manage complex Windows and Linux environments. You will support end users, perform on-site hardware tasks, provision and maintain virtualization stacks, and enforce DISA STIGs while aligning with DoD/NIST controls.

Strong scripting and asset management experience are essential. The role requires eligibility for high-level clearance, a security-focused mindset, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Eligibility for access to Top Secret level information; possible government background check for clearance upgrade.
• Security+ / CASP+ / CySA+ certification or equivalent
• Experience implementing configurations, documentation, and support for new tools and technologies
• Windows/Linux administration: AD/Group Policy, provisioning, patching, baseline management
• VMware administration: vRealize, vSphere, NSX, SRM
• Networking: L2 switching, VLANs, port security; on-site troubleshooting
• DISA STIGs, DoD/NIST controls familiarity; audit artifacts
• Splunk: Forwarders, log ingestion health, searches, alerts, dashboards
• Automation: PowerShell/Bash; runbooks and MTTR reduction
• Jira Service Management/Assets: ticketing, change control, CMDB hygiene
• Documentation: SOPs/runbooks for Warminster vs University Park alignment

Responsibilities

• Provide end-user support across secure networks (Warminster; remote University Park); troubleshoot issues, reset passwords, manage Jira tickets and asset records
• Complete on-site Warminster tasks that cannot be done remotely; hardware provisioning and maintenance, cabling, and peripheral management
• Administer Windows and Linux systems across physical and virtual environments; manage AD accounts/groups, patching, and baseline configuration
• Operate and maintain virtualization platforms (VMware/Hyper‑V): create VMs/templates/snapshots, monitor resources, optimize performance
• Hardening & compliance: apply DISA STIGs, remediate findings, track POA&Ms; support DoD/NIST audits
• Basic network administration: ports/VLANs/port security; monitor health and respond to alerts
• Continuous Monitoring: deploy Splunk Universal Forwarders; ensure log ingestion health and develop searches, alerts, dashboards
• Develop and maintain Warminster SOPs aligned to University Park; cover system administration, access, backup/restore, patching, incident response
• Drive continuous improvement: standardize runbooks, automate routine tasks, reduce MTTR across services

Skills

End-user support

Windows administration

Linux administration

AD/Group Policy

VMware

Hyper-V

Scripting (PowerShell/Bash)

Jira Service Management

Networking fundamentals

Monitoring/observability

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience

Bachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

SCCM

Ansible

Scripting (PowerShell/Bash)

Jira Service Management

AD/Group Policy

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location will be fully on‑site, located in Warminster, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

We are searching for a highly motivated and self‑driven IT Platform Administrator for our highly secured environments to join our Information Technology Services Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University.

You will:

• Provide end‑user support across secure networks (Warminster; remote University Park): troubleshoot medium/complex issues, reset passwords, and maintain Jira tickets, change requests, and asset records
• Complete on‑site tasks for the Warminster facility that cannot be done remotely; hardware issues and replacements, provisioning endpoints/servers, peripheral management, networking, and cabling
• Administer Windows/Linux systems across physical and virtual environments; provision, patch, baseline, and manage AD accounts/groups
• Operate and maintain virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware/Hyper‑V): create VMs/templates/snapshots, monitor resources, and optimize performance
• Hardening & compliance: apply DISA STIGs, remediate findings, track POA&Ms/evidence; support audits/assessments and meet DoD/NIST controls
• Basic network administration (ports/VLANs/port security); monitor system/network health, respond to alerts, perform root‑cause analysis, and remediate
• Continuous Monitoring; deploy Splunk universal forwarders, ensure log ingestion health and develop searches, alerts, and dashboards for ops/cyber use
• Develop and maintain Warminster SOPs aligned to University Park, covering system administration, access management, backup/restore, patching, and incident response
• Drive continuous improvement: standardize runbooks, automate routine tasks, and reduce Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) across services

Required skills and experience include:

• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
• The ability to certify and maintain information security related certification (Security+, CASP+, CySA+)
• Demonstrated ability to adopt new technologies and tools, serving as the primary implementer and maintainer, including configuration, documentation, and support
• Windows/Linux administration: AD/Group Policy, provisioning, patching, and baseline management
• VMware administration (vRealize, vSphere, NSX, SRM)
• Networking fundamentals: L2 switching, VLANs, port security; troubleshoot ports/cabling on‑site
• Security & compliance: Apply DISA STIGs, remediate findings, track POA&Ms, produce audit artifacts; familiarity with DoD/NIST controls
• Monitoring/observability: Splunk Universal Forwarders, log ingestion health, write searches, alerts, and dashboards
• Scripting & automation: PowerShell/Bash; standardize runbooks and automate routine tasks to reduce MTTR
• Service management: Jira Service Management/Assets—ticketing, change control, asset/CMDB hygiene; ITIL incident/problem practices
• Documentation: Develop and maintain SOPs/runbooks for Warminster aligned to University Park (system admin, access, backup/restore, patching, incident response)

Preferred skills and experience include:

• Automating management of Linux and Windows systems
• Development of secure Linux and Windows system baseline configurations
• Systems management (SCCM, Satellite, Ansible, IDM, AAP)
• DoD Regulations: Familiarity with security standards and regulations, such as DoD 8500.01 and NIST guidelines
• DISA STIG experience with reviewing, implementing, validating compliance and producing checklists

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• 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 Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site 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 $75,468.00 - $145,428.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children
• For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.