Senior Desktop Support Administrator

ARA Brand; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Senior Desktop Support Administrator to manage desktop/server support, VMware, and security‑critical IT operations. You will work with a small team to maintain the LAN environment and provide user troubleshooting with limited supervision.

Requirements include 8+ years' experience on Windows 10, Server 2012+, Active Directory, VMware, and strong customer service skills. DoD/DoS security clearance eligibility is preferred.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of desktop/server support experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide desktop support and technical assistance to end users on Windows and Linux.
• Manage Windows server environment with admin duties.
• Support VMware vSphere and vCenter environments.
• Oversee daily IT team activities and coordinate priorities.
• Identify, research, and resolve technical problems independently.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues on PCs.
• Set up and maintain user accounts; manage file/print servers.
• Administer data backups and monitor security patches.
• Document IT procedures and maintain licensing records.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of hardware and software.

Skills

Windows OS

Windows Server

Active Directory

VMware vSphere

Office & SharePoint

VPN & Firewall

Security clearance

Customer service

Time management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in MIS/CS or equivalent

Tools

Veeam

SCCM

Cisco VoIP

MCSE/A+/Net+/Security+

Job description

This is a senior-level position in the Corporate IT department. The individual selected for this position will work alongside other technical support staff to administer all aspects of the LAN operating environment for an ARA business unit. Under limited supervision, the qualified candidate will provide support to users, addressing their day-to-day issues by troubleshooting problems that arise in programs or systems.

What you’ll do as a Senior Desktop Support Administrator

• • Provide desktop support and technical assistance to end users on a variety of issues on both Windows and Linux operating systems.
  • Take ownership managing and supporting a Windows server environment.
  • Support and maintain a VMware vSphere and vCenter environment.
  • May oversee daily activities of a small IT team - coordinating priorities, supporting staff success, and providing regular updates to the supervising manager.
  • Independently identify, research, and resolve technical problems.
  • Troubleshoot PC hardware and software issues.
  • Set up and maintain user accounts.
  • Manage file, print, and license servers.
  • Administer and monitor data backups.
  • Monitor and apply security patches and updates in a timely manner.
  • Document and maintain IT related procedures.
  • Maintain inventory and licensing records for hardware and software acquisitions.

Senior Desktop Support AdministratorRequirements

• • Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, experience supporting desktops/laptops and servers; specifically, with systems running Windows 10, Server 2012+ on a Windows network, including printers and other peripherals. (Education may be counted in lieu of experience, one year of college is equivalent to two years of experience).
  • Experience supporting a VMware vSphere and vCenter environment.
  • Experience supporting an array of applications on Windows operating systems including, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, email, VPN clients, firewalls, disk encryption, and antivirus software.
  • Microsoft Active Directory administration experience
  • Experience troubleshooting and repairing hardware and network problems in virtual and physical environments.
  • Ability to obtain a security clearance, which includes US citizenship.
  • Must be customer service focused and have excellent time management skills.
  • Must be detail-oriented, proactive, well organized, and have ability to prioritize work.
  • Requires ability to:
    • Communicate effectively (both verbal and written),
    • Work collaboratively with team members, and on an individual basis

Senior Desktop Support AdministratorPreferences

• Experience with Ubuntu, Red Hat, or other Linux operating systems
• Experience managing or supporting High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters and related workloads
• Experience with Windows Server 2012 and above
• Experience with Microsoft 365 office applications
• Experience with Veeam backup software
• Knowledge of Cisco VoIP phone administration
• Experience with VMWare vSphere virtualization and administration
• MCSE, A+, Net+, Security+, Linux+, LPIC, RHCSA certifications
• Antivirus and SCCM
• Master’s degree in MIS, CS, or other IT-related field
• DoD experience
• Understanding of IT security best practices
• Secret Security Clearance – Active or Inactive

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in MIS, CS, or other IT-related field or equivalent experience

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,300 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.