Systems Administrator (Defense / Secret Clearance)

Aleron; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Systems Administrator in Colorado Springs for a 6- to 12-month contract. The role requires an active Secret clearance and experience with Windows systems, VMware, and NIST 800-series controls.

The successful candidate will harden systems, manage patches, support end users, conduct vulnerability assessments, monitor the uWAN, and maintain imaging and backups to ensure secure, compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance required.
• 7+ years of systems administration experience incl. NIST 800-series controls.
• 5+ years of Windows administration experience.
• 2+ years of vulnerability scanning and remediation experience.
• 1+ year of VMware experience.

Responsibilities

• System hardening and configuration of Windows systems to meet NIST 800-53 baselines.
• Patch management and ongoing system maintenance per ConMon standards.
• Provide user support and incident response to minimize downtime.
• Conduct monthly vulnerability scans and remediation tracking.
• Monitor and troubleshoot uWAN connectivity and performance.
• Oversee administration of desktops, servers, storage, VMware, and imaging with Macrium.
• Enforce least privilege and restrict ISSM/ISSO and DTA accounts to necessary privileges.

Skills

Active Secret Clearance

System administration

NIST 800 security

VMware

Patch management

Education

Bachelor's degree (BSCS or similar)

Tools

VMware

Macrium

Job description

Job Title: Systems Administrator

Location: Colorado Springs

Employment Type: Contract - expected 6-12 months or longer

Industry: Defense

Compensation: $45 - $55 / hour

Schedule: 40 hours a week, standard hours

Active Secret clearance required (or have held a clearance within the past 2 years)

About the Opportunity:

1. System Hardening and Configuration - Configure and harden Windows systems to meet NIST 800-53 baseline security controls. Apply standardized settings to protect these systems against known vulnerabilities, ensuring alignment with Continuous Monitoring requirements. (IS 109 and I01 currently require this effort, new systems/clients need to be built for new contractual efforts. Additionally, hard drives for the Network Analyzer need to be cloned for these contractual obligations and external back up system needs to be configured.)
2. Patch Management and System Maintenance - Ensure compliance with NIST's continuous monitoring standards by managing and performing regular patching and updates of operating systems, antivirus software, and network devices. All information systems require some form of maintenance, including patching and antivirus updates.
3. User Support and Incident Response - Provide technical support to users by troubleshooting and promptly addressing system-related issues to minimize operational disruptions.
4. Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation - As part of the Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) process, assist with monthly vulnerability scans and follow up on findings to ensure timely remediation in accordance with NIST 800-53 requirements.
5. UWAN Monitoring and Support - Responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting the uWAN to respond to network issues and maintain secure, continuous connectivity.
6. General Systems Administration - Oversee the administration of various systems, including desktops, servers, network storage, VMware, and SecureStux. Use imaging software (Macrium) to image any new systems and create backups to safeguard against system failures. (There will be a need to transition from Windows 10 LTSC to Windows 11 for Band 4-8 PC IS 102.)
7. Enforce least privilege and separation of duties. The roles of ISSM/ISSO and DTA accounts should have their privileges restricted to only what is necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. Currently, both roles have administrative rights because the ISSM/ISSO has taken on tasks that should be exclusive to the system administrator for maintaining the information systems.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Active Secret Clearance
• Min 7 years of experience in systems administration that includes experience with NIST 800 series security controls
• Min 5 years of MS Windows administration experience
• Min 2 years of experience with vulnerability scanning and remediation
• Min 1 year of VMware experience

What Sets You Apart:

• Bachelor's degree (BSCS or similar)
• Sys admin experience supporting desktops, servers, network storage, VMware, and SecureStux and the use of imaging software (Macrium a plus)
• NIST 800-53 requirements experience

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.