Senior IT Systems Administrator

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech seeks an IT Systems Administrator to support multiple research testbeds and infrastructures. The role includes deploying and maintaining servers, administering Linux and Windows systems, and supporting AI/ML and cybersecurity environments across testbeds.

Hybrid work arrangement with office time weekly. The ideal candidate has a degree in a relevant IT field, Docker/Kubernetes experience, and proficiency in automation tools, scripting, AD/DNS, and team leadership.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, information technology, or equivalent IT experience.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with automation tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet).
• Experience installing and maintaining Linux/Windows; managing user access.
• Scripting knowledge (PowerShell, Bash).
• Proficiency with Active Directory and DNS administration.
• Strong communication; able to document work clearly and collaborate.
• Experience leading small teams in system administration.

Responsibilities

• Administer user access and enforce security best practices.
• Deploy and maintain physical and virtual servers; manage Linux/Windows environments.
• Install and maintain software stacks for AI/ML, cybersecurity, and research testbeds.
• Collaborate with team; document work for stakeholders; support multiple testbeds.

Skills

US Citizenship

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor degree or higher

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Ansible/Chef/Puppet

PowerShell

Bash

Active Directory

DNS administration

Job description

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks ahighly skilled and experienced IT professional to join our team asan IT Systems Administrator to support multiple research testbedsand infrastructures. This position will be responsible foradministering user access, applying security best practices, andsupporting the development of new IT resources. The successfulcandidate will be responsible for deploying and maintainingphysical and virtual servers, administering Linux and MicrosoftWindows systems, and installing and maintaining an environmentsoftware stack, used to support AI/ML, cybersecurity, informationdomain, and other interdisciplinary research across multipletestbed instances. This position offers a hybrid work arrangementwith dedicated time in the office on a weekly basis.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant area such as computer science, informationtechnology, or significant relevant IT experience.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker andKubernetes.
• Experience using automation tools, such as Ansible, Chef, Puppetand/or other scripting, for configuration management, softwaredeployment, and automation of routine tasks.
• Experience including installing, configuring, and maintainingcommon guest operating systems, including Linux and Windows, andmanaging user access for those systems.
• Experience with host scripting languages such as PowerShell, andBash.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Active Directory and DNS administrationand configuration.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability tocommunicate to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Should be able to collaborate effectively with team members andclearly document work.
• Experience leading small teams through system administrationtasks
• US Citizenship due to the nature of the Institute's work.

Significant experience in two or more of the following areas:

• o Linux Administration: installing and configuring softwarepackages, managing system updates and patches, and troubleshootingsystem issues.
• o Python/Conda Administration: proficient in working with andmanaging dependencies in these environments. Experience in managingand configuring GPU-enabled systems for deep learning tasks.
• o Network Administration: Strong understanding of networkingconcepts, including TCP/IP, routing protocols, VLANs, and Layer 2switching. Experience with firewalls and security appliances isalso important. Ability to troubleshoot networking issues andnetwork security best practices.
• o Virtualization Administration: extensive experience withvirtualization technologies and hypervisors, including VMware, KVM,and Hyper-V. Ability to deploy and manage virtual machines andunderstand the performance implications of virtualization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic understanding of artificial intelligence and machinelearning.
• Experience with Dell PowerEdge servers and relatedtechnologies.
• Experience with switches and routers.
• Network+, Certified Kubernetes Admin, VMWare CertifiedProfessional
• 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 10, 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 criminalconviction check.

About Virginia Tech

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

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law.

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