Sr Technical Systems Administrator

sierraspace; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Senior IT Systems Engineer to design, implement, and maintain scalable, secure IT infrastructure across cloud platforms (AWS/Azure). You will lead IT projects, mentor junior admins, and develop automation scripts to improve efficiency.

The role requires extensive systems administration experience, strong security practices, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to support space-related initiatives.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Typically 8+ years of related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of systems administration and 3+ years in cloud platforms (AWS/Azure).
• Ability to design and implement scalable, secure infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain scalable, secure IT infrastructure.
• Manage cloud platforms (AWS/Azure) and security technologies.
• Lead IT projects using established project management methodologies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.
• Develop automation scripts to streamline IT processes and performance-tuning tasks.

Skills

Systems administration

Cloud computing

Infrastructure design

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

AWS

Azure

Automation scripts

Job description

Sierra Space Careers:

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.

Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

The Sr IT Systems Engineer is a senior-level role designed for professionals with extensive experience in systems administration, cloud computing, and infrastructure design. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable and secure IT infrastructure, as well as leading and mentoring junior system administrators. The role involves managing cloud computing platforms, implementing advanced security technologies, and leading IT projects using established project management methodologies. Additionally, the Sr IT Systems Engineer will develop automation scripts, perform advanced systems administration tasks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams on IT projects and initiatives.

In this role, you will design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure IT infrastructure while managing and optimizing cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Azure. You will implement advanced security technologies and practices to protect company data and systems and lead IT projects using established project management methodologies. Providing technical leadership and mentorship to junior system administrators will be a key responsibility, along with developing and maintaining automation scripts to streamline IT processes and improve efficiency. You will perform advanced systems administration tasks, including performance tuning and system optimization, and utilize performance analysis tools to monitor and improve system performance. Additionally, you will manage and troubleshoot complex networking and distributed computing environments and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support IT projects and initiatives. Your role will also involve writing proposals, technical papers, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, acting as a vendor liaison, and representing the company in presentations to customers, clients, and professional peers. Staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies will be essential to continuously improve your skills and knowledge.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower - to join us in this critical mission.

We're looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals - while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +6 yrs experience).
• Typically 8+ years of related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of systems administration plus 3+ years of cloud computing platforms, such as AWS or Azure.
• Expertise in designing and implementing scalable and secure infrastructure.
• Experience with advanced security technologies and practices.
• Knowledge of IT project management methodologies.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior system administrators.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to write proposals or papers, act as a vendor liaison, make presentations to customers or client audiences or professional peers, and work closely with upper management.
• Ability to solve problems quickly and automate processes.
• Expertise of an operating system; understanding of paging and swapping, inter-process communications, devices and what device drivers do, file system concepts (inode, clustering, logical partitions), and the ability to use performance analysis to tune systems.
• A solid understanding of networking/distributed computing environment concepts, including principles of routing, bridging and switching, client/server programming, and the design of consistent network-wide filesystem layouts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced certifications in relevant IT fields (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert).
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins).
• Proficiency in advanced scripting and automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication