Senior IT Systems Administrator

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks a highly skilled IT Systems Administrator to support multiple research testbeds and infrastructures. This role will deploy and maintain physical and virtual servers, administer Linux and Windows systems, and install and maintain an environment software stack to support AI/ML, cybersecurity, information domain, and other interdisciplinary research across testbeds.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement with weekly in-office time.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, information technology, or equivalent IT experience.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with automation tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet) for configuration management and deployment.
• Experience administering Linux and Windows systems and managing user access.
• Experience with PowerShell and Bash scripting.
• Proficiency in Active Directory and DNS administration.
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading small teams in system administration.
• US Citizenship is required due to project scope.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and maintain physical and virtual servers.
• Administer Linux and Windows systems and manage user access.
• Apply security best practices across IT resources.
• Develop and support new IT resources for AI/ML and cybersecurity research.
• Install and maintain environment software stack across testbeds.

Skills

Containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)

Automation tooling (Ansible/Chef/Puppy

Linux system administration

Windows system administration

PowerShell / Bash scripting

Active Directory & DNS administration

Communication with technical and non-‑

Leading small teams

Education

Degree in Computer Science / Information Technology or equivalent

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

VMware

Ansible

Puppet

PowerShell

Job description

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks a highly skilled and experienced IT professional to join our team as an IT Systems Administrator to support multiple research testbeds and infrastructures. This position will be responsible for administering user access, applying security best practices, and supporting the development of new IT resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for deploying and maintaining physical and virtual servers, administering Linux and Microsoft Windows systems, and installing and maintaining an environment software stack, used to support AI/ML, cybersecurity, information domain, and other interdisciplinary research across multiple testbed instances. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with dedicated time in the office on a weekly basis.

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks a highly skilled and experienced IT professional to join our team as an IT Systems Administrator to support multiple research testbeds and infrastructures. This position will be responsible for administering user access, applying security best practices, and supporting the development of new IT resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for deploying and maintaining physical and virtual servers, administering Linux and Microsoft Windows systems, and installing and maintaining an environment software stack, used to support AI/ML, cybersecurity, information domain, and other interdisciplinary research across multiple testbed instances. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with dedicated time in the office on a weekly basis.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant area such as computer science, information technology, or significant relevant IT experience.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience using automation tools, such as Ansible, Chef, Puppet and/or other scripting, for configuration management, software deployment, and automation of routine tasks.
• Experience including installing, configuring, and maintaining common guest operating systems, including Linux and Windows, and managing user access for those systems.
• Experience with host scripting languages such as PowerShell, and Bash.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Active Directory and DNS administration and configuration.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Should be able to collaborate effectively with team members and clearly document work.
• Experience leading small teams through system administration tasks
• US Citizenship due to the nature of the Institute's work.

Significant experience in two or more of the following areas:

• Linux Administration: installing and configuring software packages, managing system updates and patches, and troubleshooting system issues.
• Python/Conda Administration: proficient in working with and managing dependencies in these environments. Experience in managing and configuring GPU-enabled systems for deep learning tasks.
• Network Administration: Strong understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, routing protocols, VLANs, and Layer 2 switching. Experience with firewalls and security appliances is also important. Ability to troubleshoot networking issues and network security best practices.
• Virtualization Administration: extensive experience with virtualization technologies and hypervisors, including VMware, KVM, and Hyper‑V. Ability to deploy and manage virtual machines and understand the performance implications of virtualization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Experience with Dell PowerEdge servers and related technologies.
• Experience with switches and routers.
• Network+, Certified Kubernetes Admin, VMWare Certified Professional
• NIST 800-171 or 800-53 experience

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

starting at $90,000; salary commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40 hours per week

Review Date

August 31, 2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of work at the institute, position is restricted to a US Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sue Kass at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.