Senior Systems Administrator

Virginia Tech; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to maintain and enhance IT infrastructure across Alexandria and Arlington campuses. You will manage Windows Active Directory, Hyper-V virtualization, Linux servers, and cloud services while guiding the service desk and coordinating in the VTRC-Arlington machine room.

The role requires a Master's degree or equivalent, strong scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell), TCP/IP expertise, and the ability to manage multiple tasks.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Significant experience managing mission-critical IT infrastructure.
• Experience with Windows Active Directory in professional settings.
• Experience managing Linux servers via SSH and command line.
• Scripting knowledge in Python, Bash, and/or PowerShell.
• Strong TCP/IP networking knowledge and capabilities.
• Demonstrated technical communication and writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Maintain IT infrastructure to support Virginia Tech sites in Alexandria and Arlington.
• Provide higher-level support to the service desk and guide team members.
• Coordinate activities in the VTRC-Arlington machine room.
• Consult with NI&S to identify and troubleshoot network issues.
• Assist with server installations and after-hours emergencies as needed.

Skills

Windows Active Directory

Linux server management

Scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell)

TCP/IP networking

Technical communication

Multi-tasking / project management

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Hyper-V

Proxmox

BigFix

Jamf

Veritas Backup Exec

Job description

Job Description

This Senior Systems Administrator position is responsible for maintaining information technology infrastructure to support Virginia Tech sites in both Alexandria and Arlington. This position maintains systems for client support, security monitoring, and virtualization and will be called upon to modify and or replace them as needed with input and assistance from other members of the team. Some of the technology and services in use include Windows Active Directory, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Hyper‑V, Proxmox, BigFix, Jamf, and Veritas Backup Exec.

The Senior Systems Administrator serves as a higher level of support for the service desk, providing guidance to other team members and support for more complex requests, and serves as a backup when the situation warrants.

This position manages and coordinates activities in the VTRC‑Arlington machine room, including consulting with other university stakeholders on server installations and best‑practices and may require after‑hours work during emergencies.

Other responsibilities include working with the University Network Infrastructure and Services (NI&S) team to identify and troubleshoot network issues, to activate network ports, and to install new equipment when required.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree, or a combination of education, training, and progressive experience that equates to a Master's degree.
• Significant working experience in managing mission‑critical IT infrastructure (including servers, workstations, and cloud services) in a professional setting.
• Working experience managing Windows Active Directory or similar environment.
• Working experience managing Linux servers via SSH and command line.
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, Bash, and/or PowerShell.
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP networking as it applies to computer endpoints.
• Demonstrated technical communication and writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications in client, server, and/or cloud technologies, such as CompTIA, Microsoft, AWS, or similar.
• Experience with iSCSI in a shared environment.
• Experience providing IT solutions in a higher education setting.
• Experience managing and securing computers with public‑facing IP addresses.
• Experience with IPv6.

Additional Information

Sponsorship is not available for this position. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

EEO Statement

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 IT Human Resources at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.