On-Site IT Platform Administrator: Secure Systems & Compliance

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

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