System Administrator - NASA Ames Research Center Multi-Mission O with Security Clearance

Astrion; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion seeks a System Administrator to join the Space Operations and Allied Missions division, supporting the NASA Ames Research Center MMOC. The role involves managing IT systems, security, networks, and mission-critical infrastructure to enable science teams to focus on exploration.

Required are 5–10 years of SysAdmin experience, a STEM degree or equivalent, Linux (RedHat/Ubuntu), Windows Server, OpenStack and VMware familiarity, scripting, and strong problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years working experience as a Systems Administrator.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, or similar STEM degree; years of experience can replace degree.
• Understanding of basic Cybersecurity requirements.
• RedHat, Ubuntu system administration.
• Windows server and client system administration.
• Experience with OpenStack, VMware and SAN management.
• Knowledge in Shell, Perl, and/or Python scripting.
• Solid knowledge of DNS, HTTP, LDAP, SMTP and SNMP.
• Knowledge of shell scripting, C++, Java.
• Proficient with Excel, Adobe, Visio, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Management and Security of IT systems and networks in support of project computational needs, including software install/update and backups.
• Manage the IT infrastructure including web/file servers, monitoring services, and virtual machine environment (OpenStack).
• Install upgrades to existing systems to improve operability.
• Provide configuration management addressing risk/findings and ensure NASA IT security policy compliance.
• Patch systems and vulnerabilities maintaining NASA IT Security policy compliance.
• Maintain network records and coordinate with Center-wide networking for planned maintenance.
• Provide technical expertise for division projects requiring IT or facilities support.
• Support engineering software installations, configuration, patching and troubleshooting.
• Investigate cloud migration and AI/ML automation opportunities.

Skills

System administration

Cybersecurity basics

Scripting (Shell/Perl/Python)

Networking protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS or similar STEM field

Tools

RedHat Linux

Ubuntu Linux

Windows Server

OpenStack

VMware

SAN management

Excel

Visio

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

NASA Ames Research Center Multi-Mission Operations Center LOCATION: JOB STATUS: Full-time, Onsite CLEARANCE: US Citizenship, Federal Background Investigation SALARY: $120,000 - $200,000 Astrion is seeking a System Administrator to join our Space Operations and Allied Missions division to support mission-critical operations out of NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). Astrion supports ARC's Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC)

NASA's Mission Control in the Silicon Valley. With over 25 years of continuous spaceflight operations, and custom science data pipelines for missions ranging from deep-space CubeSats to lunar exploration they are key in supporting mission-critical operations. The MMOC supports numerous missions at ARC such as:

• VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover): NASA's first robotic lunar rover, mapping water ice and resources at the Moon's South Pole as part of the Artemis program to establish sustainable lunar presence.
• BioSentinel: A deep-space CubeSat measuring biological impacts of space radiation beyond low Earth orbit.
• IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph): A space telescope studying energy and heat transfer into the solar corona and the drivers of space weather.
• Starling: A swarm of four CubeSats in low-Earth orbit testing autonomous, synchronized spacecraft operations for future distributed science missions. The MMOC's role in supporting these mission is ensuring mission-ready facilities, IT infrastructure, networks, security, and support services - enabling mission teams to focus on science and exploration rather than infrastructure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• 5-10 years working experience as a Systems Administrator
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, or similar relevant STEM degree; Years of experience can potentially replace degree requirement
• Understanding of basic Cybersecurity requirements
• RedHat, UBUNTU system administration
• Windows server and client system administration
• Experience with OpenStack, VMWare and SAN management
• Knowledge in Shell, Perl, and/or Python scripting
• Solid knowledge of protocols such as DNS, HTTP, LDAP, SMTP and SNMP
• Knowledge of shell scripting, C++, Java;
• Firm Knowledge of Excel, Adobe, Visio, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook
• Cybersecurity, NIST 800-53, RSA Archer
• Strong problem solving and communication skills
• Onsite 5 days per week (core hours 9-3)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Additional Linux certifications (RHCT, RHCE and LPIC)
• Familiarity with Atlassian Suite including Confluence and JIRA
• One or more of the following Certifications
• MCSE (Microsoft Computer Solution Expert)
• Security +
• Sys Admin Certificate
• Experience with NASA Procedural Requirements (NPRs) and Policies
• Mission Control experience is a plus
• Windchill
• Past experience with cloud migration and AI/ML automation is beneficial

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management and Security of IT systems and networks in support of unique project-related computational needs, including software installation and updates, lab system troubleshooting, system backups, while assuring compliance with all NASA, Ames Research Center, and Federal IT security requirements and services standards including:
• Manage the IT infrastructure including web servers, file servers, monitoring services (BigFix, NESSUS, SentinelOne, Splunk, Nagios), & virtual machine environment (OpenStack)
• Includes installing upgrades to existing systems improving system operability
• Provide configuration management addressing risk/findings maintaining compliance with NASA's IT Security Policies
• Patch systems and vulnerabilities maintaining compliance with NASA's IT Security Policies
• Maintain network records and coordinating with Center-wide networking group for planned maintenance, installations, and other issues
• Provide technical expertise for division or laboratory driven special projects that require IT or facilities support. This may include hardware or software integration, defining requirements, and laboratory expansions and integrations
• Provide support for engineering software installations, configuration, patching and troubleshooting
• Support project and mission specific needs
• Investigate cloud migration and AI/ML automation opportunities. You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what is outlined, but if you think you can bring Systems Administration value we encourage you to apply. Salary range is based on years of experience. Check out more information about NASA Ames Research Center MMOC here.