IT Platform Administrator (ARL)

Penn State University; Warminster Township (Bucks County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Robust retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking an IT Platform Administrator to support secure research and administrative environments at the ARL. You will manage Windows/Linux systems, virtualization, and security controls to ensure compliance, reliability, and performance in a high-security setting.

Responsibilities include on-site hardware provisioning, AD management, monitoring, and incident response with a strong focus on DISA STIGs and DoD/NIST compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus relevant experience.
• Experience administering Windows and Linux systems, AD, GPO, patching.
• Familiarity with DoD/NIST controls and DISA STIGs.

Responsibilities

• Provide end‑user support across secure networks; troubleshoot issues and manage tickets.
• Perform on-site tasks at Warminster; hardware, provisioning, cabling, and asset management.
• Administer Windows/Linux systems; manage AD accounts and group policy.
• Operate virtualization platforms; create/monitor VMs, templates, and snapshots.
• Apply DISA STIGs and track POA&Ms; support audits and compliance.
• Basic network duties; monitor health, respond to alerts, and diagnose issues.
• Implement continuous monitoring with Splunk forwarders, develop searches and dashboards.
• Develop SOPs/runbooks for Warminster aligned to University Park.

Skills

End-user support

Windows/Linux admin

VMware/Hyper-V

Security & compliance

Scripting (PowerShell/Bash)

Jira Service Management

Network administration

Splunk logging & alerts

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

VMware vRealize

vSphere

NSX

SCCM

Ansible

Job description

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. 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.

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.

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 Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:Bachelor’s Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

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.

• 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.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

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.

EEO IS THE LAW

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.