Senior Systems Administrator, USG Program

Astranis Space Technologies; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

401(k)

Flexible PTO

Free on-site meals

Job summary

Astranis Space Technologies seeks a Senior Systems Administrator for a USG program. The role focuses on secure administration of JWICS/CWAN within TS/SCI, maintaining security configurations, patches, and compliant infrastructures. Collaboration with ISSM, COMSEC, and government reps is essential.

The team protects sensitive systems; candidates should have Security+ or equivalent and experience with classified environments. Competitive pay with a broad benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Must hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected status per 8 USC 1324b(a)(3).
• Experience administering JWICS, CWAN, TS/SCI environments.
• Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot classified systems.
• RMF, cybersecurity, COMSEC, and classified-information security requirements.
• Current CompTIA Security+ (or equivalent) certification.

Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot JWICS, CWAN, TS/SCI systems.
• Configure and maintain classified servers, workstations, network devices, and supporting infrastructure.
• Install and maintain approved OS, patches, and security updates.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and system resources.
• Troubleshoot security, network, and system-performance issues.
• Support system upgrades, hardware replacements, and decommissioning.
• Maintain system availability while enforcing security controls.

Skills

Security

STIGs

Vulnerability management

System hardening

DoD 8140 awareness

Tools

AWS Classified Cloud

Azure Classified Cloud

Job description

Senior Systems Administrator, USG Program

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe – large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military.

With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts. Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization.

Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

The System Administrator – JWICS/CWAN is responsible for the secure administration, operation, maintenance, configuration, and troubleshooting of information systems operating within a TS/SCI classified environment, including JWICS, CWAN, and associated National Security Systems (NSS).

This position provides hands-on technical support for classified servers, workstations, network devices, applications, and supporting infrastructure. The System Administrator ensures systems are securely configured, maintained, monitored, and operated in accordance with applicable Dow, Intelligence Community (IC), customer, RMF, cybersecurity, COMSEC, and classified-information security requirements.

The position works closely with the ISSM, COMSEC, Industrial Security, Physical Security, and government/customer technical representatives to maintain the security and operational availability of classified systems.

Role

Classified System Administration

• Administer, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot JWICS, CWAN, and associated TS/SCI systems.
• Perform system administration on classified servers, workstations, network devices, and supporting infrastructure.
• Install and maintain authorized operating systems, applications, patches, and security updates.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, privileged accounts, system services, and system resources.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, authentication, network connectivity, and system-performance issues.
• Support system upgrades, technology refreshes, hardware replacement, and system decommissioning.
• Maintain system availability while ensuring required security controls remain in place.

Cybersecurity & System Security

• Implement and maintain approved security configurations and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
• Support vulnerability identification, remediation, patch management, and configuration compliance.
• Maintain system security logs and support security monitoring and audit requirements.
• Identify and immediately report security incidents, unauthorized activity, vulnerabilities, or anomalous behavior.
• Enforce least privilege, separation of duties, and controlled administrative access.
• Current CompTIA Security+ (or equivalent) certification in compliance with DoD Directive 8140
• Experience supporting classified system accreditation and cybersecurity compliance activities.

Bonus

• SCI and/or Special Access Program (SAP) experience.
• Previous COMSEC Custodian or COMSEC Manager experience.
• Experience supporting DCSA Security Reviews and government inspections.
• Experience with eMASS, ACAS, Nessus, SCAP, or similar cybersecurity tools.
• CISSP, CISM, or equivalent cybersecurity certification.
• Government COMSEC training and certification.
• Experience with AWS of Azure Classified Cloud

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional‑grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary

$135,000—$205,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, Or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.