Senior Systems Administrator - Operations Lead

Akima; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Akima is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator – Server Operations Lead to support a critical IT security program within a Federal Government environment. This position requires expertise in server architecture and IT security, along with proven leadership skills to mentor and oversee a team.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in server operations, virtualization, and compliance management with federal policies. Applicants must have a DOE Q clearance or equivalent for this role.

Qualifications

• An active DOE Q clearance or equivalent is required for consideration.
• Minimum 3 years as a Senior Systems Administrator within the last 5 years.
• 10+ years (MA/MS) or 12+ years (BA/BS) of experience in IT systems administration and operations.
• Experience in Federal IT environments preferred.
• Scripting languages for automation and system management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee server infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and security.
• Manage hardware configuration and software application integration.
• Implement IT security best practices and ensure compliance with Federal policies.
• Lead and mentor system administrator team.
• Prepare and deliver technical reports and system status updates.

Skills

Server operations

System administration

IT security best practices

Leadership

Problem-solving

Active Directory management

Virtualization

Education

ITIL Certification

MA/MS or BA/BS with appropriate years of experience

Tools

PowerShell

Bash

Python

VMware

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator – Server Operations Lead to support a mission‑critical IT security program within a Federal Government environment. This role is responsible for leading server operations, system administration, and infrastructure management, ensuring the security, availability, and performance of IT systems. The ideal candidate will have expertise in server architecture, virtualization, Active Directory management, and IT security best practices. Additionally, this position requires strong leadership abilities to mentor team members, optimize system performance, and ensure compliance with Federal IT policies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee server infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security.
• Plan, test, and implement information systems to support mission‑critical operations.
• Manage hardware configuration and software application integration to meet system requirements.
• Maintain and administer Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and identity management solutions.
• Perform patch management, backups, and disaster recovery planning to safeguard IT assets.
• Monitor system health, troubleshoot issues, and optimize performance to minimize downtime.
• Virtualization & Cloud Operations
• Administer VMware environments, ensuring proper virtualization, scalability, and resource allocation.
• Optimize virtual machine (VM) performance and troubleshoot issues related to hypervisor environments.
• Work with multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.) to maintain system interoperability.
• Security & Compliance Management
• Implement IT security best practices and ensure compliance with Federal cybersecurity policies (e.g., NIST, FISMA).
• Support system audits, vulnerability assessments, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop and enforce access control measures, encryption policies, and system hardening techniques.
• Maintain documentation of security configurations, system changes, and incident responses.
• Team Leadership & Training
• Lead and mentor system administrator team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Provide training on server administration, security best practices, and IT operational procedures.
• Assign and oversee team workloads, ensuring timely completion of projects and troubleshooting efforts.
• Strategic Planning & Requirements Analysis
• Analyze current IT infrastructure, identifying areas for improvement and optimization.
• Develop strategic plans to enhance system resilience, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with Federal stakeholders, IT teams, and contractors to align IT operations with mission objectives.
• Communication & Reporting
• Prepare and deliver technical reports, system status updates, and recommendations to leadership and Federal stakeholders.
• Act as a liaison between technical teams and non‑technical personnel, ensuring clarity and alignment of IT initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guidelines.

Qualifications

• An active DOE Q clearance or equivalent is required for consideration.
• Minimum 3 years as a Senior Systems Administrator within the last 5 years.
• 10+ years (MA/MS) or 12+ years (BA/BS) of experience in IT systems administration and operations.
• Experience in Federal IT environments preferred.
• Expertise in server operations, system administration, and IT security best practices.
• Hands‑on experience with:
• Planning, testing, and implementing IT systems.
• Hardware configuration and maintenance.
• Software application integration for enterprise environments.
• Active Directory management and Group Policy implementation.
• Scripting languages (PowerShell, Bash, or Python) for automation and system management.
• VMware administration and virtualization best practices.
• Multiple operating systems (Windows Server, Linux, etc.).
• ITIL Certification (Required).
• Industry certifications such as MCSA, MCSE, VCP, or CISSP (Preferred).
• Proven ability to lead teams, mentor junior administrators, and foster collaboration.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills to diagnose and resolve system issues efficiently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Work Environment

• Requires on‑site presence at a federal facility, with adherence to government security requirements.
• Occasional travel may be necessary to support program operations and Federal agency needs.

Job ID

2025-15845

Work Type

On‑Site