Linux System Administrator

AeroVironment, Inc.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Linux System Administrator to join the Cyber and Intel Division’s Operation Infrastructure Team in Herndon, VA.

You will manage day-to-day operations of mission-focused infrastructure, monitor systems, audit logs, and respond to incidents with a security-minded approach. Responsibilities include establishing SOPs for NOC activities, maintaining system availability, and coordinating updates.

Qualifications

• Active TOP SECRET clearance required to begin processing.
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 3+ years experience in Linux system administration.
• 2+ years experience in log analysis and system auditing.
• 2+ years experience in network administration and monitoring/alerting.
• Security-minded approach to engineering and administration efforts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish Standard Operating Procedures for all NOC activities.
• Ensure all deployed systems are operational and accessible by end-users.
• Respond to network outages and security incidents promptly and appropriately.
• Configure and manage NOC monitoring dashboards, alerting, and coordinated response.
• Review and audit system logs daily.
• Interface with customers to resolve system issues and access requests.
• Perform system troubleshooting and escalate when appropriate.
• Coordinate and execute system updates and patches.
• Document actions, incidents, and findings, including monthly reporting.
• Assist with implementing automated monitoring and alerting systems.
• Monitor backups for integrity and success.
• Conduct periodic vulnerability scans to ensure compliance with system specifications.
• Provide feedback to software developers on performance and customer experience.
• Communicate proactively with team members and management.
• Keep abreast of IT industry trends and security advisories.

Skills

Linux admin

Log analysis

Network administration

Security mindset

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in information technology or related field

Tools

Splunk

Zabbix

Ansible

VMware

Proxmox

Docker

Wireshark

tcpdump

Nessus

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Are you looking for a with unique opportunity to learn and grow as a Linux System Administrator. If so, AV is looking for you to join the Cyber and Intel Division’s Operation Infrastructure Team. This team is responsible for full life-cycle management of 24x7 mission-focused infrastructure hosting tailored applications and solutions. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of deployed systems to include monitoring, auditing, log review, maintenance, troubleshooting, and after-hours response. You should have a strong foundation in both Linux system and network administration with a security-oriented mindset. You will assist in continually improving and growing our Network Operations Center (NOC) capability and define standard operating procedures following best practices. In the event of alerts, emergencies, or planned maintenance activities, after-hours support will occasionally be required. As such, excellent verbal and written communication skills, time-management skills, and a customer-focused mindset are required. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your depth and breadth of skills and a path toward more advanced network and solution engineering with direct mission impact.

Position Responsibilities:

• Establish Standard Operating Procedures for all NOC activities
• Ensure all deployed systems are operational and accessible by end-users
• Quickly and appropriately respond to network outages and security incidents
• Configure and manage NOC monitoring dashboards, alerting, and coordinated response
• Review and audit system logs daily
• Interface with customers to resolve system issues and access requests
• Perform system troubleshooting and elevate when appropriate
• Coordinate and execute system updates
• Thoroughly document all actions, incidents, and findings to include monthly reporting
• Assist with implementing automated monitoring and alerting systems
• Routine monitoring and integrity verification of system backup
• Conduct periodic vulnerability scans to ensure compliance with system specifications
• Provide feedback to software developers on system performance, issues, and customer experience
• Proactively communicate with team members and management
• Continually monitor trends in the IT industry for new products and security advisories to better protect deployed system capabilities

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• An active TOP SECRET level clearance is required to begin processing for this role and must be maintained throughout the duration of this position.
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology (or a related field) or equivalent hands‑on experience
• 3+ years experience in Linux system administration
• 2+ years experience in log analysis and system auditing
• 2+ years experience in network administration
• 2+ years experience in network functional status monitoring and alerting (2 years)
• Security-minded approach to all engineering and administration efforts
• Strong communication skills, (both written and verbal) and technical documentation skills
• Detail-oriented and critical thinking mindset

Desired Qualifications

• NOC/SOC Experience
• Knowledge of Splunk (Including development of searches, reports, and dashboards)
• Experience with Zabbix
• Working knowledge of Ansible and other automation toolsets
• Experience with Network and Host based IDS Systems
• Netflow analysis skills
• Familiar with Python and Bash scripting
• Experience with network analysis and troubleshooting tools (i.e., Wireshark and tcpdump)
• Vulnerability and compliance scanning with Nessus and other toolsets
• Familiarity with Virtualization Technologies such as VMware and Proxmox
• Experience with containerization and Docker
• Understanding of VPN Technologies such as IPsec or OpenVPN
• Understanding of SSL/TLS configurations and certificate management
• Willingness to support end-users to include after hours on-call support

Location

This position is located at 13900 Lincoln Park Dr Herndon, VA 20171. This position is full time in-office.

Salary Range

Salary Range $80,000 to $100,000

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine‑launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand‑launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real‑time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. Careers at AeroVironment

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.