Mid System Administrator

ClearEdge; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training benefit

401k contribution

Health allowance

Tech allowance

Lab access

Job summary

ClearEdge in Washington, DC, is seeking a Systems Administrator to ensure reliable, secure operations across a complex IT environment that supports mission-critical needs. You’ll design, maintain, and enhance systems with users, engineers, and leadership to keep missions moving forward.

The role requires strong Windows and Linux administration, VMware experience, and the ability to gather requirements from customers and deliver functional, mission-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Active or current TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Master’s degree + 3 years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree + 5 years, or Associate’s + 7 years, or HS/GED + 9 years.
• IAT Level II certification.
• Proven system administration, network management, and user support in secure environments.
• Strong VMware administration skills.
• Experience with hardware and desktop support, including thin client networking and administration.
• Proficiency in Windows system administration (Active Directory, Group Policy, etc.) and Linux environments.
• Strong understanding of server, storage, and network components.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work directly with customers and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure.
• Manage daily operations of system architecture to ensure stability, availability, and performance.
• Administer and maintain mission systems, including Microsoft Domain Services, Group Policy Objects (GPO), VMware, Cisco Route/Switch, and firewall management.
• Configure and maintain Windows and Linux servers, user accounts, and access controls.
• Perform system backups, recovery, and patch management across distributed nodes.
• Monitor and analyze system performance, identifying and resolving issues to optimize reliability and efficiency.
• Provide hands‑on technical assistance, troubleshooting user and system‑level issues.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define requirements, test updates, and deploy new solutions.
• Maintain accurate documentation for systems, processes, and procedures.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, recommending improvements to enhance performance and security.

Skills

Windows administration

Linux administration

VMware

Customer collaboration

Troubleshooting

Agile

Documentation

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

High School

Tools

VMware vSphere

Active Directory

Group Policy

Cisco IOS

Firewall management

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Join ClearEdge and be part of a mission-focused team solving some of the DoD’s most complex technical challenges. Every day, ClearEdge supports government and industry customers by delivering innovative solutions that enable critical operations and mission success.

ClearEdge offers an extremely competitive benefits package—including a $10k annual training and education benefit, a 10% 401(k) contribution fully vested on day one, annual health and technology allowances, and access to a state-of-the‑art technology lab. Learn more at www.clearedgeit.com/careers/

Your mission

As a Systems Administrator, your mission is to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient operations across a complex IT environment that supports critical mission needs. You’ll work closely with users, engineers, and leadership to design, maintain, and enhance systems that deliver a seamless user experience. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in solving problems, thrives in collaborative environments, and enjoys supporting infrastructure that keeps missions moving forward.

You will excel in this role if you are

• A self‑motivated problem solver who enjoys working as part of an integrated technical team
• Skilled in managing and maintaining both Windows and Linux environments
• Experienced with VMware administration and virtualization tools
• Comfortable working directly with customers to gather requirements and deliver functional, mission‑focused solutions
• Proficient in troubleshooting and resolving technical challenges quickly and efficiently
• Familiar with Agile frameworks and interested in continuous learning and growth
• Organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

A day in the life consists of

• Support the implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure
• Manage daily operations of system architecture to ensure stability, availability, and performance
• Administer and maintain mission systems, including Microsoft Domain Services, Group Policy Objects (GPO), VMware, Cisco Route/Switch, and firewall management
• Configure and maintain Windows and Linux servers, user accounts, and access controls
• Perform system backups, recovery, and patch management across distributed nodes
• Monitor and analyze system performance, identifying and resolving issues to optimize reliability and efficiency
• Provide hands‑on technical assistance, troubleshooting user and system‑level issues
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define requirements, test updates, and deploy new solutions
• Maintain accurate documentation for systems, processes, and procedures
• Stay current on emerging technologies, recommending improvements to enhance performance and security

Must Have

• Active or current TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance
• Master’s degree + 3 years of experience, or
• Bachelor’s degree + 5 years of experience, or
• Associate’s degree + 7 years of experience, or
• High School/GED + 9 years of experience
• IAT Level II certification
• Proven experience with system administration, network management, and user support in secure environments
• Strong VMware administration skills
• Experience with hardware and desktop support, including thin client networking and administration
• Proficiency in Windows system administration (Active Directory, Group Policy, etc.) and Linux environments
• Strong understanding of server, storage, and network components
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work directly with customers and technical teams

Nice to have

• Experience with Cisco, Dell, or Juniper switches and servers
• Familiarity with firewall management, SaltStack, and automation frameworks such as Ansible
• Experience with CI/CD, Agile methodologies, or DevOps principles
• Networking or cybersecurity experience and certifications (e.g., Security+, CCNA)
• Experience optimizing system communication paths and bandwidth utilization
• Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security, Information Technology, or a related discipline

ClearEdge is an established small business that values its employees and is committed to providing an environment where individuals can succeed and grow. We believe in developing our people, promoting from within, and fostering long‑term career growth across the organization.

Our Core Values—Honesty, Integrity, Loyalty, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Accountability—guide everything we do. These principles shape our culture, inform our decisions, and drive our commitment to excellence in support of our customers and partners.

If this position is not the right fit, we encourage you to visit our Careers page to explore other opportunities at ClearEdge or connect with one of our recruiters at [e-mail]. ClearEdge is an equal opportunity employer.