Systems Administrator I

Cova Strategies

Fort Meade, Northern (MD, KY)

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision 100% paid

No payroll deductions/deductibles

Disability coverage

Life Insurance 150% of Salary

401(k) with 6% match

Job summary

Cova Strategies is seeking System Administrators to join our engineering team at Fort Meade, MD. You will contribute to the development, enhancement, and maintenance of complex software systems across analytics, data processing, and enterprise solutions.

The role requires an Active TS-SCI with FS Poly and onsite work five days a week, supporting a fast-growing team dedicated to solving challenging IT problems. We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; 5+ years SA experience may substitute for degree
Active TS/SCI with FS Polygraph required
Onsite work five days/week
5 years SA experience in similar scope contracts required

Responsibilities

Provide IT systems implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance support
Handle Tier 1 help desk problem identification, diagnosis, and resolution
Manage daily operations of client/server/storage/network devices and mobile devices
Assist users in accessing and using IT systems
Escalate issues and communicate status to management and internal customers
Monitor, analyze, and optimize system performance and capacity planning

Skills

Unix Administration

Windows Administration

Active Directory/LDAP/GP

Virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V)

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure)

Storage (SAN/NAS)

Networking (TCP/IP/DNS/DHCP)

Security: STIG & hardening

Scripting (PowerShell/Bash/Python)

Monitoring (Splunk/Nagios/SolarWinds)

Patch management & vuln remediation

ITIL/change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

Splunk

SolarWinds

Nagios

Job description

Cova Strategies is seeking talented and System Administrators to join our dynamic, employee-focused
engineering team. In this role, you will contribute to the development, enhancement, and maintenance of
complex and innovative software systems. These systems span a wide range of applications, including high-
performance analytics, cutting-edge algorithm design, large-scale data processing, real-time computing, and
enterprise business solutions.

You’ll work in a collaborative environment where creativity, technical excellence, and continuous learning are
highly valued. If you're passionate about solving challenging problems and making a meaningful impact
through software, we invite you to bring your expertise to our small but rapidly growing team.

In addition to offering highly competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package, Cova
Strategies is a company who prioritizes employee happiness and actively involves team members in shaping
the company's future. We are dedicated to creating a workplace culture where employees feel genuinely
valued and supported.

We believe that your job should not only challenge you but also bring you joy. We are committed to
supporting your career goals and fostering your professional growth. If you would like to hear more, please
reach out.

Security Clearance:

Active TS-SCI with FS poly required.

Citizenship:

Due to the clearance requirement, all candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Place of Performance:

Ft. Meade, MD.

Pay Rate

Please note, the compensation range for this position is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s skills, experience, education, certifications, and the specific needs of the organization.

Responsibilities:

Provide support for implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance of IT systems
Provide Tier 1 (Help Desk) problem identification, diagnosis and resolution of problems
Manage the daily activities of configuration and operation of IT systems
Provide assistance to users in accessing and using IT systems
Provide Tier 1 (Help Desk) and Tier 2 (Escalation) problem identification, diagnosis and resolution of problems Provide support to IT systems including day-to-day operations, monitoring and problem resolution for all of the client/server/storage/network devices, mobile devices, etc.
Provide support for the escalation and communication of status to agency management and internal customers
Optimize system operations and resource utilization, and perform system capacity analysis and planning

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Five (5) years of additional SA experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
Active TS/SCI with FS Polygraph security clearance required.
Must be willing to work onsite five days/week.
Five (5) years of experience as a SA in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required.

Required Skills:

Unix and Windows Administration and configuration.
Active Directory, LDAP, and Group Policy management
Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper‑V)
Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or similar) and hybrid integrations
Familiarity with storage administration (SAN/NAS) and backup/restore processes
Strong networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, VPN)
Experience with security protocols, STIG compliance, and system hardening
Scripting and automation (PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar)
System monitoring and performance optimization tools (e.g., Splunk, SolarWinds, Nagios)
Patch management and vulnerability remediation
Troubleshooting complex issues across server, network, and application layers
Documentation and change management following ITIL or similar frameworks