System Administrator

Castellum Inc; Lakehurst (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Specialty Systems, Inc. seeks a Systems and Network Administrator to support DoD missions at Joint Base MDL.

You will administer Windows and Linux servers, manage networks, and ensure cybersecurity compliance while working in a hands-on lab environment. The role includes virtualization, patching, and documenting systems, with a compressed work schedule: four 9‑hour days Mon–Thu and one 8‑hour day Fri on the first cycle, then four 9‑hour days Mon–Thu with Friday off on the second cycle, yielding

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field (equivalent work exp accepted).
• Secret level or higher clearance or ability to obtain one.
• At least 3 years of systems administration or combined systems and network administration experience.
• CompTIA Security+ CE certification or ability to obtain within 3–6 months; comply with DoD Cyber Workforce requirements.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, secure, and maintain Windows Server and Linux OS in development, test, and production environments.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, directory services, and Group Policy per access-control and cybersecurity requirements.
• Monitor system health, perform tuning, and troubleshoot hardware, OS, app-hosting, and availability issues.
• Patch servers and network devices, perform vulnerability remediation, backups, and lifecycle maintenance.
• Support virtualization environments such as VMware and Hyper‑V.
• Configure and maintain managed network switches, ports, VLANs, security, and saved configurations.
• Set up servers/workstations/test equipment for network connectivity (IP, DNS, DHCP, security).
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues and document findings; escalate when needed.
• Maintain network infrastructure, racks, cabling, labeling, and connection management in labs.
• Maintain system and network documentation, diagrams, IP plans, port maps, assets, baselines.
• Support integration into Navy networks and enclaves with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with developers, cybersecurity, and engineers to support hosting, lab ops, accreditation, and incident resolution.
• Assist with DevSecOps infrastructure and containerized environments; recommend reliability and security improvements.

Skills

System administration

Windows Server

Linux systems

VMware/Hyper-V

Active Directory

Network troubleshooting

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

BS/BA in Computer Science or related STEM

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

Cisco switches

DNS/DHCP

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Specialty Systems, Inc. has an opening for a Systems and Network Administrator with the skills and experience described below to join our team of technical professionals supporting our Department of Defense customer at Joint Base MDL. In this position, you will have a high-profile role in the development and qualification of systems used to support unique Department of Defense missions. Ideal candidates will have a broad set of technical skills and must be able to work both independently and within a team environment. As a member of our team, you will play a key role in ensuring that systems with a direct impact on our country's warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities perform at optimal levels.

The Systems and Network Administrator provides support to U.S. Navy programs by administering and maintaining mixed Windows and Linux server environments and the supporting local network infrastructure used by mission‑critical development, test, and operational systems. This is a hands‑on infrastructure role in a laboratory environment rather than a full‑scale Network Operations Center. The position is responsible for server and virtualization administration, basic managed‑switch and endpoint configuration, network documentation, connectivity troubleshooting, and system security in compliance with DoD cybersecurity policies and Navy operational requirements.

This position is located at our customer site at Joint Base MDL. You will work our customer's Compressed Work Schedule, which consists of four 9‑hour days (Monday-Thursday) and one 8‑hour day (Friday) during the first week of the cycle, followed by four 9‑hour days (Monday-Thursday) and Friday off during the second week. This results in a three‑day weekend every other week!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Install, configure, secure, and maintain Windows Server and Linux operating systems in development, integration, test, and production environments.
• Administer user accounts, permissions, directory services, and Group Policy in accordance with approved access‑control and cybersecurity requirements.
• Monitor system health and resource utilization; perform performance tuning and troubleshoot hardware, operating system, application‑hosting, and availability issues.
• Manage server and network‑device patching, updates, vulnerability remediation, configuration backups, and lifecycle maintenance.
• Administer and support virtualized environments such as VMware, Hyper‑V, or comparable platforms.
• Install and configure managed network switches, including access ports, VLAN assignments, port security, firmware, and saved configurations, within approved network designs.
• Configure servers, workstations, test equipment, and other endpoints for network connectivity, including network interfaces, IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, and approved security settings.
• Troubleshoot physical and logical connectivity issues involving cabling, switch ports, VLANs, addressing, name resolution, and routing; document findings and coordinate escalation when required.
• Support physical network infrastructure, including racks, cabling, labeling, and connection management for laboratory and test environments.
• Maintain system and network documentation, architecture diagrams, IP address plans, port maps, asset records, and configuration baselines.
• Support the integration of systems and endpoints into secure Navy networks and enclaves in coordination with network, cybersecurity, and infrastructure stakeholders.
• Collaborate with developers, cybersecurity personnel, system administrators, and engineers to support application hosting, laboratory operations, accreditation activities, and incident resolution.
• Assist with infrastructure support for DevSecOps pipelines and containerized environments, and provide technical recommendations for reliability, security, modernization, and performance improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A BS/BA degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field is preferred. Equivalent work experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
• Must have a Secret level or higher clearance or be able to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• Must have at least 3 years of systems administration or combined systems and network administration experience.
• CompTIA Security+ CE certification or the ability to obtain it within 3-6 months of hire, and the ability to satisfy applicable DoD Cyber Workforce requirements for assigned administrative duties.

Technical Requirements:

• Experience administering Windows Server and Linux systems (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, or comparable distributions).
• Hands‑on experience configuring managed Ethernet switches and connecting servers, workstations, test equipment, and other endpoints.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, IPv4 addressing and subnetting, VLANs, switching, DNS, DHCP, and basic routing.
• Ability to isolate and troubleshoot network issues using common diagnostic tools and device logs, and to distinguish endpoint, server, switch, cabling, and network problems.
• Experience with virtualization platforms such as VMware, Hyper‑V, or comparable technologies.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team and supporting cybersecurity compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code or configuration automation tools (Ansible, Terraform, or similar tools).
• Familiarity with containerization technologies and DevSecOps or CI/CD environments (Docker, Podman, or similar technologies).
• Experience supporting Navy or DoD programs, secure laboratory environments, or classified networks.
• Experience with Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, or comparable managed network switches.
• CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or another relevant networking certification.

Security Clearance Notice:

• Applicants selected must have a U.S. Government security clearance of secret level or higher and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Specialty Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and offers equal opportunity for VEVRAA Protected Veterans. Specialty Systems, Inc. will not discriminate against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose compensation information.

Reasonable accommodation that do not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties or be of a safety concern.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk. The employee may be required to move ten pounds and could occasionally lift or move up to twenty‑five pounds.

Disclaimer

The listed duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of primary duties and responsibilities.