Server Lead

Socket.dev; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Eleven Federal Holidays

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Medical plan options

Job summary

PingWind in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Server Lead to direct system administration, virtualization, and DR operations for enterprise platforms. The role emphasizes secure, highly available environments and hands-on leadership across teams.

Responsibilities include managing ESXi/vSphere/vSAN, OpenShift, Windows and Linux servers, and enterprise backup solutions such as Cohesity and Dell PowerProtect. A SECRET clearance and deep experience in 24/7 operations are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in IT, CS, or related field.
• Senior systems administration in enterprise server, virtualization, storage, backup/recovery, and DR.
• Ability to lead technical staff and coordinate across teams.
• SECRET clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems administration and maintenance across ESXi, VMs, OpenShift, Windows/Linux.
• Oversee backups, recovery, and DR across multiple platforms.
• Validate backup and restoration capabilities and test RPO/RTO.
• Coordinate with CIO, government leads, cybersecurity, and developers.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership and ensure high availability.

Skills

Security clearance

Technical leadership

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, or related field

Tools

VMware ESXi

vCenter/vSphere

vSAN

Red Hat OpenShift

Cohesity

Dell PowerProtect Data Manager

Job description

Location: Huntsville, AL

Required Clearance: SECRET

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, systems administration, engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Required Experience: Senior systems administration experience supporting enterprise server, virtualization, storage, backup/recovery, and disaster-recovery operations, including technical leadership in a high-availability environment.

Position Description

PingWind is seeking a Server Lead to direct system administration, virtualization, server maintenance, backup/recovery, and disaster-recovery operations for PAE Fires enterprise systems. The Server Lead will provide hands‑on technical leadership to maintain secure and highly available platforms, validate backup and restoration capabilities, and support continuity and COOP reconstitution requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

Typical Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Lead systems administration and maintenance for environments that include ESXi hosts, virtual machines/appliances, Red Hat OpenShift, VDI desktops, Windows Server, Linux/RHEL, file systems, and system-level applications.
• Direct hardware installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, system updates, patching, backups, and operational support while maintaining highly secure and available systems on a 24/7 basis.
• Perform or oversee system analysis and design, establish and sustain virtual infrastructure, and provide technical input for system administration SOPs and user/administrator documentation.
• Operate and maintain enterprise backup and recovery capabilities supporting Linux NFS, Windows SMB, Enterprise SAN, Cohesity, Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, VMware Replication, and vSAN.
• Administer or support protection services and protocols such as vProxy, DD Boost, NDMP, REST APIs, S3-compatible object storage, VMware vCenter/vSphere integration, and application‑aware backup agents for SQL Server and other enterprise applications.
• Regularly test and validate backup, recovery, replication, and restoration procedures; investigate backup failures; verify recoverability, system integrity, and achievement of defined RPO/RTO objectives.
• Support disaster‑recovery and contingency planning by providing technical data on backup security, software, procedures, media/storage, schedules, audit records, trusted recovery, and restoration capabilities.
• Support COOP events and exercises, including reconstitution of IT infrastructure, recovery of systems/software/databases, and troubleshooting of restoration issues.
• Coordinate server, storage, backup, and recovery activities with the CIO, Government team leads, cybersecurity personnel, developers, network staff, and other designated stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced systems administration experience with VMware ESXi, vCenter/vSphere, vSAN, virtual machines, and enterprise VDI technologies.
• Strong administration skills with Windows Server and Linux/RHEL environments; experience with Red Hat OpenShift is highly relevant.
• Experience with enterprise SAN/storage, backup, recovery, replication, and disaster-recovery technologies in mission-critical environments.
• Hands‑on experience with Cohesity and/or Dell PowerProtect Data Manager or comparable enterprise backup platforms, including NFS/SMB and application‑aware protection.
• Experience troubleshooting complex server, virtualization, storage, backup, and restoration issues and documenting repeatable technical procedures.
• Knowledge of high availability, redundancy, RPO/RTO, system recovery, patching, hardening, and operational monitoring practices.
• Ability to lead technical staff, coordinate maintenance windows, communicate risk, and support after‑hours or on‑call mission requirements when authorized.
• SECRET security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• VMware VCP/VCAP, Microsoft, Red Hat, Cohesity, Dell, or comparable infrastructure certifications.
• Experience with automation and configuration tools such as PowerShell, Red Hat Ansible, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting Army/DoD server infrastructure, STIG implementation, classified systems, and formal disaster‑recovery/COOP exercises.
• Experience with VMware Aria for Logs, Dell iDRAC, HPE iLO, or similar infrastructure management and observability tools.

About PingWind

PingWind is focused on delivering outstanding services to the federal government. We have extensive experience in the fields of cybersecurity, development, IT infrastructure, supply chain management and other professional services such as system design and continuous improvement. PingWind is an SBA certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with offices in Northern Virginia and Huntsville AL.

www.PingWind.com

Our benefits include:

• Eleven Federal Holidays
• Paid Time Off accrued each pay period
• Parental Leave
• Three medical plan choices with generous employer contribution
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401k with competitive matching and vesting schedule
• Continuing education assistance
• Short Term / Long Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness benefits include Calm Health app and WellHub gym subsidy (formerly GymPass)
• 529 College Savings Plan
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance

Salary Range

$88k-$122K

The pay range for this job is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) job responsibilities, education, certifications, experience, as well as internal equity mapping and alignment with market data, or other applicable laws.

Veterans are encouraged to apply

PingWind, Inc. does not discriminate in employment opportunities, terms, and conditions of employment, or practices on the basis of race, age, gender, religious or political beliefs, national origin or heritage, disability, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected by law