OT Systems Administrator

Apex Systems; Linthicum (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401K

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

HSA

Training and certification support

Job summary

Everforth Apex is seeking a Systems Administrator to build and operate a new IT environment for an engineering and manufacturing organization across Annapolis Junction and Linthicum Heights, MD. The role emphasizes uptime, security, and hands-on support for Windows and Linux servers, VMware, and lab endpoints in an air-gapped environment.

You will collaborate with identity, security, and OT teams, implement patches and backups, create runbooks, and contribute to NIST SP 800-171 compliance.

Qualifications

• Mid-level systems administrator with experience across servers, virtualization, identity, and endpoints.
• Familiarity with Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and group policy management.
• Experience with VMware vSphere and Horizon for desktop virtualization.
• Scripting with PowerShell, Bash, or Python for automation.
• Understanding of security controls and offline update procedures.

Responsibilities

• Build, configure, and harden Windows Server and Linux systems from templates.
• Assist AD administration, DNS/DHCP, and security engineering collaboration.
• Support VM builds, Horizon desktop support, and thin/zero client enrollment.
• Document assets, perform migrations, and coordinate cutovers with minimal downtime.
• Write runbooks, SOPs, and log incidents in ticketing system.

Skills

Windows Server

Linux

Active Directory

VMware vSphere

Horizon 8

PowerShell

Tools

VMware Horizon 8

PKI

Job description

Systems Administrator

Enterprise and OT/Manufacturing Environments

Job#: 3055934

Job Description

Systems Administrator

Enterprise and OT/Manufacturing Environments

R2Next Design, Build, Migrate, and Operate Program | Annapolis Junction / Linthicum Heights, MD | On site | No clearance required

Our client is standing up a new, self-sufficient IT environment for an engineering, research, and microelectronics manufacturing organization of roughly 800 users across sites in Annapolis Junction and Linthicum Heights, Maryland. The environment has no direct internet access, is fully virtualized on VMware, and is being built largely from existing Cisco, Dell, and HPE infrastructure as the organization transitions off a government-operated network, with a target of having the new program network operational by year-end and additional business and manufacturing integration work following over the next two years.

The Systems Administrator is a versatile, hands-on engineer who helps build and run the new environment and supports the IT systems inside the client’s manufacturing and laboratory spaces. This is a mid-level role for someone who has worked across servers, virtualization, identity, and endpoints, is comfortable around production and test equipment, and understands that in OT, uptime and safety come before change.

Key Responsibilities

Environment Build and Migration

• Build, configure, and harden Windows Server and Linux systems from approved templates and baselines, including domain services, file and print, and monitoring agents.
• Support Active Directory administration, group policy, DNS, DHCP, and tiered administrative access in partnership with the identity and security engineers.
• Assist the VMware and network engineers with virtual machine builds, Horizon desktop support, and thin and zero client enrollment.
• Execute asset sanitization and enrollment steps, keeping accurate records per asset as hardware moves from the legacy environment into the new one.
• Support pilot and production migration waves, including user cutovers, application checks, troubleshooting, and post-cutover hypercare.

OT and Manufacturing Support

• Learn and document the systems that support manufacturing and laboratory operations, including engineering workstations, test-equipment controller PCs, data collection servers, and license servers.
• Work with the IT staff who administer the manufacturing environment today to inventory equipment, software versions, and data flows before any change is proposed.
• Apply OT-appropriate practices: coordinated maintenance windows, vendor-validated patching, backups and images of equipment-attached systems, and rollback plans for production and test assets.
• Support controlled, monitored transfer of test and production data between the manufacturing zone and the program network as that design is implemented.
• Maintain legacy and vendor-locked operating systems safely through isolation, compensating controls, and documentation.

Operations and Documentation

• Stage patches, signatures, and software through the controlled ingress process and internal repositories, since the environment has no direct internet access.
• Write and maintain runbooks, SOPs, and as-built documentation; log work and incidents in the client’s ticketing process.
• Automate repeatable tasks with PowerShell, Bash, or Python, and recommend practical improvements as the environment moves toward managed operations.
• Support configuration and evidence collection aligned to NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 under the direction of the cybersecurity engineer.

Technical Environment

Category

Environment

Platforms

Windows Server, Windows 10/11, Red Hat or similar Linux, Active Directory, PKI, file and print.

Virtualization and endpoints

VMware vSphere and Horizon 8 VDI; thin and zero clients; specialized laboratory endpoints.

Hardware

Dell servers, HP/HPE high-performance computing, enterprise storage and backup.

OT and manufacturing

Manufacturing and laboratory networks, test equipment and controller PCs, engineering application and license servers.

Security

No direct internet access, offline update repositories, hardened baselines (DISA STIG / CIS), centralized logging, NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3.

What Will Make You Successful

• A flexible, multi-skilled approach: you are happy to help wherever the build needs hands that week.
• Patience and respect for how manufacturing and lab teams work, and a habit of learning before changing.
• Clear communication and careful documentation in a fast-moving, evolving program.

Work Location and Conditions

Primarily on site in Annapolis Junction and Linthicum Heights, Maryland, where hands-on work with racks, endpoints, and lab equipment takes place. No security clearance is required; candidates must be U.S. persons because the environment holds export-controlled information. Occasional after-hours support may be needed for cutover windows. The initial engagement runs through March 2027 as part of a multi-phase, multi-year program.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.

© 2026 Everforth, Inc. All rights reserved. Everforth Apex Systems is part of the Commercial Segment of Everforth, Inc. NYSE: EFOR 4400 Cox Road Suite 200 Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Everforth Apex is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. (Do not submit resumes or solicit consultants to this email address). UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex.