Linux System Administrator-Senior Level

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Systems Administrator – Nightwing (Sterling, VA)

Nightwing is seeking a highly motivated Systems Administrator to support a mature, fast-paced mission program located in Sterling, VA. The ideal candidate will bring broad expertise in engineering and administering mission-critical systems and will play a key role in maintaining secure, high-availability IT infrastructure.

CLEARANCE: TS/SCI with POLY

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, implementation, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including servers, virtual machines, networks, high-availability clustering, storage solutions and hardware lifecycles
• Provide advanced technical support, troubleshooting, and guidance to ensure optimal performance, security, and availability of all systems
• Lead or support IT projects—such as system upgrades, major OS version migrations, rollback strategies and network enhancement ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
• Implement, document, and continuously monitor cybersecurity controls to ensure compliance with organizational policies and industry standards (e.g., STIGs, NIST).
• Manage, administer and connect Linux-based systems, user accounts, and identity services (including FreeIPA)
• Support physical infrastructure activities, including rack layout planning and installations, cabling, power load balancing, troubleshooting hardware and system integration (SCAP scanning pipelines, AWS workloads with on-prem infrastructure, enterprise monitoring e.g. ELK, Splunk, etc.)
• Assist with integrating devices and equipment into monitoring GUIs using various software tools
• Troubleshoot network issues and assist with network configuration tasks as needed (network port mapping, root cause analysis, kernel tuning, performance profiling, network packet tracing, architecture redesign after recurring failures)
• Architect and build automated patch pipelines and workflows
• Create and develop repeatable deployment templates, exception documentation, compensating controls and compliance drift monitoring

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, and/or systems or network administration
• 5+ years of experience troubleshooting complex network and system issues
• 5+ years of experience communicating technical concepts clearly to stakeholders in both written and verbal formats
• Extensive hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)—design, installation, configuration, administration, and troubleshooting
• Working knowledge of automation/orchestration tools to deploy hardened RHEL systems (e.g., Ansible, Salt, Puppet, Chef)
• Proven ability to optimize, secure, and manage servers for high availability, performance, and scalability
• Strong understanding of virtualization, automation, and patch management, with the ability to integrate these technologies to support mission needs
• Demonstrated experience developing, applying and automating STIGs or NIST Special Publications for system hardening, remediation and cybersecurity compliance
• Experience administering Linux user and system accounts and managing identity policies via FreeIPA
• Hands-on experience with physical rack installations, hardware troubleshooting, and system integration
• Experience with device/equipment integration into monitoring GUIs
• Strong communication, analytical, and technical decision-making skills
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity practices, controls, and compliance frameworks
• Experience with network troubleshooting and basic network configuration

Desired Skills

• Experience managing and troubleshooting network infrastructure (switches, routers, firewalls).
• Familiarity with Cisco IOS.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with evolving mission priorities.

At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we’ll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/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 or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.