Sr. Systems Administrator / Help Desk Engineer

Chenega Corporation; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 108,800 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Chenega MIOS in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Senior Systems Administrator / Help Desk Engineer to lead enterprise Windows and Linux systems, hybrids cloud, and end-user services in a classified environment.

The ideal candidate has DoD compliance experience, TS/SCI clearance, and strong automation skills with Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, and Python. You will mentor junior staff and support critical infrastructure operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical discipline.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II/III certification or equivalent.
• Experience with RHEL/CentOS and Windows Server environments.
• Experience with AWS GovCloud or Azure Gov or hybrid cloud.
• Experience with VMware, KVM virtualization.
• Experience developing automation using Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, Python.
• Experience implementing IaC and automation best practices.
• Experience with DoD STIGs and cybersecurity requirements.
• TS/SCI clearance; background and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Lead admin, maintenance, and optimization of Windows and Linux server environments.
• Serve as a senior technical resource for system administration and enterprise IT support.
• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware, software, OS, and end-user issues.
• Manage enterprise help desk incidents and service requests with strong customer service.
• Install, configure, patch, and maintain Windows Server and RHEL operating systems.
• Architect, deploy, administer, and maintain virtualization platforms (VMware, KVM).
• Monitor system availability, performance, capacity, and health; proactively resolve issues.
• Develop backup, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations procedures.
• Develop automation solutions using Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, Python.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation to improve operations.
• Collaborate with DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and network engineers.
• Document configurations, baselines, diagrams, and SOPs.
• Mentor junior admins and provide technical leadership.
• Participate in on-call and scheduled maintenance.

Skills

DoD 8570 IAT

RHEL / Linux

Windows Server

GovCloud experience

VMware / KVM

Automation scripting

IaC

DoD STIGs

TS/SCI clearance

Background check

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Master’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Job description

Summary

Sr. Systems Administrator / Help Desk Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD

Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evolving business climate? Are you looking for a career where professional development is embedded in your employer’s core culture? If so, Chenega Military, Intelligence & Operations Support (MIOS) could be the place for you! Join our team of professionals who support large‑scale government operations by leveraging cutting‑edge technology and take your career to the next level!

Chenega Agile Real‑Time Solutions (CARS) was created with the purpose of providing integrated enterprise IT support to Federal customers both CONUS and OCONUS. CARS employs Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with decades of experience working in the Federal marketplace.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator / Help Desk Engineer (SME) to provide technical leadership supporting mission‑critical infrastructure, enterprise systems, and end‑user services within a classified Intelligence Community environment. This role is responsible for administering, securing, and optimizing Windows and Linux systems, supporting hybrid cloud and on‑premises environments, and ensuring the availability, reliability, and performance of enterprise infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience with systems administration, virtualization, automation, cybersecurity compliance, cloud technologies, and customer support while serving as a senior technical resource for infrastructure modernization and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise Windows and Linux server environments supporting mission‑critical operations.
• Serve as a senior technical resource for system administration, infrastructure operations, and enterprise IT support.
• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware, software, operating system, and end‑user technical issues.
• Manage enterprise help desk incidents and service requests through successful resolution while providing exceptional customer service.
• Install, configure, harden, patch, and maintain Windows Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating systems.
• Architect, deploy, administer, and maintain virtualization platforms including VMware and KVM.
• Monitor system availability, performance, capacity, and health while proactively identifying and resolving infrastructure issues.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis for system failures and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and operational stability.
• Develop, maintain, and execute backup, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations procedures.
• Develop and maintain automation solutions utilizing Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar scripting languages.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation practices to improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with software developers, DevSecOps engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and network engineers to support secure software development environments.
• Maintain system documentation, configuration baselines, architecture diagrams, and standard operating procedures.
• Support configuration management, release management, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Perform vulnerability remediation, system hardening, and security compliance activities in accordance with DoD STIGs, RMF, and agency security policies.
• Support ACAS vulnerability scanning, audit remediation, security assessments, and incident response activities.
• Manage enterprise storage resources, file systems, identity management, and access control services.
• Support hybrid cloud infrastructure and enterprise cloud migration initiatives.
• Coordinate infrastructure upgrades, maintenance windows, and deployment activities with cross‑functional teams.
• Mentor junior administrators and provide technical leadership across systems operations.
• Participate in on‑call support, scheduled maintenance, and shift coverage as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible systems administration experience (or Master's degree with 6+ years of experience).
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or Level III certification (Security+ CE, CASP+, CISSP, or equivalent).
  • Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Microsoft Windows Server environments.
  • Experience supporting AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure Government, or hybrid cloud environments.
  • Experience administering VMware, KVM, or similar virtualization platforms.
  • Experience developing automation solutions utilizing Ansible, PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar scripting languages.
  • Experience implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation best practices.
  • Experience performing system hardening in accordance with DoD STIGs and cybersecurity requirements.
• TS/SCI clearance
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience supporting GEOINT, National Security, Intelligence Community, or DoD mission systems.
• Experience with DevOps and DevSecOps tools, including Git, GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting enterprise backup and disaster recovery solutions.
• Experience administering Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, PKI, LDAP, and certificate management services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and yet be effective within a team setting
• Must be capable of managing multiple efforts with time‑related constraints in a fast‑paced contracting environment
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholder groups and individuals
• Friendly presence, helpful attitude, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work well with others.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other Office applications
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Applications, and experience working in a home office setting, as well as the ability to train end users on frequently asked technical issues.
• Ability to provide technical assistance and support over the phone; good phone skills, professional demeanor, and previous customer service experience strongly desired.
• Good problem‑solving skills; ability to visualize a problem/situation and think abstractly to solve it

How you’ll grow

At Chenega MIOS, our professional development plan focuses on helping our team members at every level of their careers to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry‑level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn.

We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands‑on experience in the global, fast‑changing business world. From on‑job learning experiences to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their careers.

Benefits

At Chenega MIOS, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our team members and offer them a broad range of benefits.

Learn more about what working at Chenega MIOS can mean for you.

Chenega MIOS’s culture

Our positive and supportive culture encourages our team members to do their best work every day. We celebrate individuals by recognizing their uniqueness and offering them the flexibility to make daily choices that can help them be healthy, centered, confident, and aware. We offer well‑being programs and continuously look for new ways to maintain a culture where we excel and lead healthy, happy lives.

Corporate citizenship

Chenega MIOS is led by a purpose to make an impact that matters. This purpose defines who we are and extends to relationships with our clients, our team members, and our communities. We believe that business has the power to inspire and transform. We focus on education, giving, skill‑based volunteerism, and leadership to help drive positive social impact in our communities.

Learn more about Chenega’s impact on the world.

Tips from your Talent Acquisition Team

We want job seekers exploring opportunities at Chenega MIOS to feel prepared and confident. To help you with your research, we suggest you review the following links:

Chenega MIOS web site - www.chenegamios.com

Glassdoor - https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Chenega-MIOS-EI_IE369514.11,23.htm

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/1472684/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chenegamios/

Chenega MIOS News- https://chenegamios.com/news/

#Chenega Agile Real Time Solutions, LLC

Estimated Salary/Wage

USD $108,800.00/Yr. Up to USD $120,000.00/Yr.