Systems Administrator Expert

VT Group (VTG); Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VT Group (VTG) is seeking a skilled Systems Administrator to manage a Network Engineering Lab. This role involves overseeing daily operations, ensuring efficient resource management, and maintaining network performance in diverse environments.

The ideal candidate will hold a Top Secret Clearance and have at least eleven years of relevant experience in network architecture and implementation. Responsibilities include documentation, operational planning, and security management within lab settings.

Qualifications

• Must have a Top Secret Clearance with Polygraph.
• Minimum eleven (11) years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of network architecture, design, and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive 'as-built' documentation.
• Plan and execute network configurations for new hardware.
• Direct daily lab operations and prioritize tasks.
• Implement and manage firewall rules and VLANs.
• Perform lifecycle planning for lab hardware.

Skills

Core Networking

Technical Writing

Design Techniques

Complex Problem Solving

Time Management

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a skilled Systems Administrator to serve as a Network Engineering Lab Manager supporting a wide range of Government and customer environments. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations, infrastructure, configuration, and organization of R&D and Proof of Concept (PoC) lab environments, ensuring efficient resource management, accurate documentation, and reliable network and system performance across physical and virtual infrastructures.

What will you do?

• Documentation & Standards — Develops and maintains comprehensive "as-built" documentation, including physical rack elevations, logical network diagrams, and IP address management.
• System Integration & Execution — Plans and executes network configurations for the integration of new hardware; performs physical installation including racking, stacking, and professional‑grade structured cabling.
• Operational Planning — Directs daily lab operations by analyzing team workflows, establishing priorities, and setting deadlines to ensure environment readiness.
• Operational Setup — Executes baseline routing, switching, and firewall configurations to stage "clean" sandbox environments for R&D testing and customer demonstrations.
• Resource Coordination — Consults with internal engineering leads, management, and vendors to assess hardware needs and coordinate scheduling to balance long‑term R&D with short‑notice PoCs.
• Security & Access Control — Implements and manages firewall rules, VLANs, and ACLs to isolate testing environments; regulates and monitors file and physical access to maintain confidentiality and proper use.
• Lifecycle & Logistics Management — Performs horizontal integration planning to ensure lab schedules, hardware procurement, and technical setups are aligned; manages an inventory of parts and the organized decommissioning of legacy equipment.
• Facility Layout Planning — Analyzes information to recommend and plan computer specifications, physical rack layouts, and power/cooling requirements for lab growth.
• General Administrative Activities — Attends meetings, prepares lab status reports, and participates in training and professional development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Core Networking — Knowledge of fundamental routing and switching concepts and firewall policy management.
• Technical Writing — Composing clear and concise technical documentation, installation guides, and reports for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in the production of precision technical plans, blueprints, and drawings.
• Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex infrastructure problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
• Manual Dexterity — Must have good manual dexterity and requires safely moving, transporting, or stocking items with weights between 30–50+ lbs.
• Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including needs assessment and evaluation of satisfaction.

Do you have what it takes?

• Must have a Top Secret Clearance with Polygraph.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are preferred with a minimum of eleven (11) year’s relevant experience with the following skillsets.
• Knowledge of network architecture, design, and implementation.
• Knowledge of specific network technologies such as routing and switching.
• Familiar with routing protocols such as EIGRP, BGP, ISIS.
• Familiar with switching protocols such as STP, LACP, VTP.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to lab users.
• Experience with creating technical documentation such as designs, implementation plans, and technical notes.
• Ability to brief designs to review boards.
• Ability to learn, understand and implement new technologies.
• Independent learner with a proven ability to master complex technical concepts through self‑study and practice.