Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Administrator (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Aurora, CO, is seeking a Principal or Sr. Principal Systems Administrator to manage secure Windows and Linux environments, automate tasks with BASH and Python, and oversee VMware virtualization and VDI solutions for classified workloads.

The role requires TS/SCI with CI poly, Security+ certification, and strong collaboration with cyber and engineering teams to maintain a resilient, compliant infrastructure supporting space and defense programs.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with CI Poly security clearance.
• Current Security+ or DoD 8570 IAT II certification.
• Experience administering Windows and Linux in enterprise environments.
• Experience OS patching for Windows and Linux systems.
• Scripting to automate system tasks (BASH, Python).
• VMware virtualization and VDI infrastructure experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day Windows and Linux system administration in a secure environment.
• Plan and execute OS patching across multiple enclaves and platforms.
• Develop automation scripts to streamline management tasks using BASH and Python.
• Configure and maintain VMware virtualization environments and resource pools.
• Support and administer VDI environments, including performance tuning.
• Collaborate with engineering and cybersecurity teams to document changes.

Skills

BASH scripting

Python scripting

Windows administration

Linux administration

VMware virtualization

VDI administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Master's degree in science

PhD

Tools

VMware

Jira

Confluence

Bitbucket

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Our Central Region Software Engineering organization within Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a skilled Principal Systems Administrator or Sr. Principal Systems Administrator to support complex, mission-critical environments in Aurora, CO.

In this role, you will be responsible for administering and securing Windows and Linux systems, executing OS patching across multiple enclaves, and driving automation using BASH and Python. You will manage VMware-based virtualization and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions, ensuring high availability and performance for classified workloads. Leveraging your TS/SCI with CI poly and Security+ certification, you will work closely with cybersecurity and engineering teams to maintain a resilient, compliant infrastructure that directly supports space and defense missions. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys solving tough technical problems, improving system reliability through scripting and automation, and operating at the intersection of systems engineering and cyber defense.

Other Roles And Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day Windows and Linux system administration, including installation, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting in a secure, mission-critical environment.
• Plan and execute operating system patching and updates across multiple enclaves and platforms, ensuring system stability and compliance with cybersecurity requirements.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts (BASH and Python) to streamline system management tasks, configuration, monitoring, and reporting.
• Configure, manage, and optimize VMware-based virtualization environments, including creation and maintenance of virtual machines and resource pools.
• Support and administer Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments, including performance tuning, user support, and integration with backend services.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering, cybersecurity, and program teams to diagnose complex issues, implement solutions, and document system changes and procedures.

Basic Qualifications

• Principal: Bachelor’s degree in science with 5+ years of relevant experience; 3+ years with a Master’s; or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Sr Principal: Bachelor’s degree in science with 8+ years of relevant experience; 6+ years with a Master’s; or 4 years with a PhD; 4 additional years may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
• Must have an active U.S. Government CI Polygraph at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
• Current Security+ (or equivalent DoD 8570 IAT Level II) certification.
• Experience with Windows and Linux system administration in an operational or enterprise environment.
• Hands‑on experience performing operating system patching and updates for Windows and/or Linux systems.
• Scripting experience using BASH and Python to automate system administration tasks.
• Experience with VMware virtualization technologies and managing virtualized server environments.
• Experience supporting Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions in a production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Atlassian tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket) for workflow management, documentation, and collaboration.
• Experience with containerization technologies and Kubernetes setup/configuration, including deployment, scaling, and lifecycle management of containerized applications.
• Experience with Identity, Policy, and Audit (IPA) or Active Directory for user/group management, authentication, and access control.
• Experience operating in highly regulated, classified, or DoD environments with strong understanding of security best practices and compliance frameworks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document procedures and explain complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.