Senior Windows SME

Leidos; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 116,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Windows Systems Administrator to own and lead Windows Server environments within a mixed-OS infra. You will drive architecture, implement hardening, and mentor team members while coordinating with Linux SMEs for cross-platform issues.

The role requires a strong background in Windows Server administration, security frameworks, and DoD-grade clearance eligibility. Expect complex incident resolution and lifecycle planning in a mission-critical setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with 8+ years of prior relevant experience.
• Security+ Certification or other DOD 8570 IAT Level II Certification
• Security Clearance Requirement: Active TS and SCI eligibility
• Strong experience administering Windows Server environments.
• Deep understanding of core Windows services and system management.
• Working knowledge of Linux systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior lead and SME for all Windows Server environments, driving technical strategy and operational excellence.
• Design, architect, implement, and sustain enterprise Windows infrastructure.
• Own health, performance, and availability of Windows systems; monitor trends and implement improvements.
• Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause analysis to implement permanent fixes.
• Establish and enforce enterprise standards, baselines, and hardening guidelines.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to admins and engineers; guide best practices.
• Lead system lifecycle activities including patching, upgrades, migrations, and modernization.
• Provide cross-platform support by performing basic Linux system administration.

Skills

Windows Server

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Active Directory

PowerShell

Linux

Job description

Leidos is committed to delivering innovative solutions and supporting mission-critical operations for our customers. The DISA CESO ITSS team provides network operations and cyber defense support to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), enabling secure and reliable communications for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Combatant Commands (COCOMs).

Leidos is seeking a Senior Windows Systems Administrator (SA) to serve as the primary Windows SA and subject matter expert (SME) for our team. This role focuses on ownership of our Windows environment while supporting a mixed‑OS infrastructure.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior lead and primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Windows Server environments, driving technical strategy, architecture decisions, and operational excellence.

• Design, architect, implement, and sustain enterprise Windows infrastructure.

• Own the health, performance, and availability of Windows systems; proactively monitor, analyze trends, and implement improvements to prevent issues before they impact operations.

• Lead complex troubleshooting and incident resolution efforts, conducting deep root cause analysis and implementing permanent corrective actions across systems and services.

• Establish and enforce enterprise standards, baselines, and hardening guidelines in alignment with security frameworks and compliance requirements.

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to system administrators and engineers; guide best practices and elevate team capabilities across Windows technologies.

• Lead planning and execution of system lifecycle activities, including patching, upgrades, migrations, and modernization initiatives.

• Provide cross-platform support by performing basic Linux system administration and coordinating with Linux SMEs for complex issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with 8+ years of prior relevant experience, or master’s degree with 6–10 years of prior relevant experience.

• Security+ Certification or other DOD 8570 IAT Level II Certification

• Security Clearance Requirement: Active TS and SCI eligibility

• Strong experience administering Windows Server environments.

• Deep understanding of core Windows services and system management.

• Working knowledge of Linux systems.

• Solid troubleshooting and communication skills.

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.