IT Systems Administrator, Mission Systems

SpaceX; Vandenberg Village (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an IT Systems Administrator for its Vandenberg Village location. The candidate will support networking and applications in a mission-critical environment, ensuring safe and reliable launch operations. Key responsibilities include designing IT infrastructure, providing direct IT support during launches, and maintaining systems compliance. Requirements include 3+ years of IT system administration experience, proficiency in Linux and Windows servers, and expertise in enterprise networks. The role offers a salary range of $95,000 to $115,000, alongside comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in IT systems administration.
• Extensive hands-on experience with both Linux and Windows server administration.
• Significant experience designing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting enterprise networks.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy and augment IT infrastructure for mission-critical networks.
• Provide direct IT support during launch and test campaigns.
• Monitor IT services and respond rapidly to incidents.

Skills

Linux server administration

Windows server administration

Network protocols

Scripting (Bash/Powershell/Python)

Automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible)

Active Directory

Troubleshooting industrial control networks

Education

3+ years of experience in IT systems administration

Tools

Virtualization platforms

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

IT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, MISSION SYSTEMS

SpaceX is looking for a highly skilled and versatile Launch IT Systems Administrator to support the networking, compute, and application support needs of our launch environment. This role is critical to enabling safe, reliable, and high‑cadence launch operations across multiple sites. The ideal candidate thrives in mission‑critical settings, brings a strong sense of urgency balanced with operational excellence, and is comfortable operating as a technical generalist across multiple IT disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy and augment IT infrastructure including networking, server, and desktop hardware that directly supports mission‑critical networks across the country.
• Provide direct IT support during launch and test campaigns.
• Perform periodic systems upgrades and maintenance in between critical operations, sometimes on weekends and evenings.
• Proactively monitor IT services and respond rapidly to incidents to ensure high availability and optimal systems performance.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with systems deployments.
• Author and maintain documentation for IT systems, including systems overview, design drawings and operational procedures.
• Leverage automation tools and contribute to broader IT systems engineering and infrastructure‑as‑code initiatives.
• Ensure that systems are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g. ITAR, ISO, NIST).

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in IT systems administration.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with both Linux and Windows server administration.
• Significant experience designing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting enterprise networks.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Working knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, NTP, PTP etc.), firewall administration and cybersecurity technologies.
• Proficiency in scripting (Bash/Powershell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet).
• Familiarity with Active Directory and multi‑platform authentication/identity environments.
• Experience with virtualization platforms and tools.
• Understanding of Layer 1 configuration best practices and multiplexing technologies.
• Working knowledge of Windows‑based systems and services, including the ability to set up, configure, upgrade, manage, and troubleshoot said infrastructure.
• Ability to administer and troubleshoot Linux‑based systems and services through command line.
• Experience supporting real‑time systems, industrial control networks, or operational technology (OT) environments in aerospace, defense, energy, or similar high‑reliability industries.
• Experience with configuration management, provisioning, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines and other DevOps concepts/tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, management etc. in both formal and informal situations.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass DoD background check for launch site access.
• Willingness to participate in an after‑hours on‑call rotation and work extended hours or weekends as necessary.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide) and potential time at sea supporting marine systems.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to work at heights.
• Ability to drive (active valid driver’s license).

Pay Range

IT Systems Administrator: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].