System Administrator - SSRL

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

18+ PTO days

Health benefits

Flexible work options

Tuition assistance

403k plan

Mental health programs

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SSRL seeks a Systems Administrator to support storage, virtualization, and server administration across Linux and Windows environments. You will configure NAS/SAN, provision physical and virtual systems, manage hypervisors, and enforce cyber security and compliance.

You will monitor performance, maintain backups and DR, participate in cross-division meetings, and document architectures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer information systems, computer engineering, or related field and 5 years of relevant experience in system administration.
• Experience with complex multi-system platforms and vendors.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Windows operating systems and various Linux distributions.
• Sufficient networking knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, LAN switching, WAN routing, and firewalls.
• Ability to take initiative independently while maintaining broad communication with team members.

Responsibilities

• Configure and maintain NAS and SAN systems.
• Provision physical and virtual systems for Linux and Windows.
• Perform hypervisor administration to support VM management.
• Configure storage, datastores, and network settings for virtual systems.
• Maintain systems by applying patches and firmware updates.
• Monitor and optimize performance for storage and virtualized environments.

Skills

Communication

Adaptability

Initiative

Teamwork

Security best practices

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CI/CE

Tools

NAS

SAN

VMware

Windows Server

Linux distributions

LDAP/Active Directory

Job description

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) is a national scientific user facility and a Directorate of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.SSRL operates an electron accelerator servicing approximately 30 x-ray and ultraviolet beamlines to support research in microelectronics, energy storage, biological and medical sciences, Earth science, and materials science. Each beamline is tailored to specific experimental techniques that probe the structure and function of matter from atomic to millimeter scales and across time scales spanning many orders of magnitude. This diversity requires a wide range of instrumentation, sample environment controls, and data acquisition approaches.

SSRL is seeking a skilled Systems Administrator to be part of this dynamic scientific research environment. This position is within the SSRL Computer Operations group.The team manages IT and OT infrastructure for accelerator operations and beamline data acquisition and control systems.This position will support system administration efforts across a complex environment spanning multiple platforms.Key focus areas include storage, virtualization, and server administration for both standalone and unified computing environments.

Your specific roles and responsibilities include:

• Configure and maintain Network-Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Networks (SAN) systems.
• Provision physical and virtual systems for various Linux distributions and Windows operating systems.
• Perform hypervisor administration to support virtual machine (VM) management.
• Configure storage, datastores, and network settings for virtual systems.
• Maintain systems by applying necessary patches and firmware updates accordingly.
• Monitor and optimize performance for storage systems, virtualized environments and physical servers to ensure availability, reliability and resource efficiency.
• Implement cyber security and compliance measures.
• Create and manage user accounts, security groups, and access permissions.
• Maintain and optimize backup and disaster recovery systems to ensure data integrity for operational continuity.
• Assist with storage capacity planning by analyzing data usage trends.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software failures.
• Document system architecture, configurations and procedures.
• Participate in cross-division operations meetings to coordinate support and maintenance efforts.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer information systems, computer engineering, or related field and 5 years of relevant experience in system administration.
• Experience with complex multi-system platforms and vendors.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Windows operating systems and various Linux distributions.
• Sufficient networking knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, LAN switching, WAN routing, and firewalls.
• Ability to take initiative independently while maintaining broad communication with team members.
• Advanced knowledge of security trends, best practices, and security protocols.
• Knowledge and understanding of remote access tools and applications.
• Shell/command line capabilities via Windows and Linux distributions.
• Experience with LDAP and Active Directory
• Ability to identify and manage priorities.
• Demonstrate strong conceptual, logical, and critical thinking skills.
• In-depth understanding of data center infrastructure that includes HVAC and electrical systems.
• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of avenues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Demonstrates dependability by consistently delivering results and taking personal responsibility for outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective communication across diverse audiences through clear, concise written, verbal and presentation delivery.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.

Physical requirements and Working conditions:

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Work standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety, and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1 General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives

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• Classification Title: System Administrator 2
• Job code: 4832 Grade: I
• Duration: Regular continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $127,716 - $147,437 per annum.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At SLAC/Stanford, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Fixed Term N
• SLAC Business Area Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource Directorate (SSRL)
• Locations Menlo Park, CA, United States
• Job Schedule Full time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Job Category Information Technology Srvcs
• Posting Date 08/31/2026, 10:05 PM
• Grade I
• Job Identification 6736

Benefits that support you, and your future

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

$6000+ annual tuition and training assistance

403k plan

Mental health and wellness programs

Free and discounted commuter transportation

Applies to regular full-time positions.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation), illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Why work at SLAC

Bold People
To achieve our ambitious goals and keep SLAC a great place to work, the lab needs people with a wide variety of experiences, ideas, skills and backgrounds.
Visionary Science
We explore how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invent powerful tools used by scientists around the globe.
Real Impact
Our research helps solve real-world problems and advances the interests of the nation.