Technical Lead/IT System Administrator – NASA Support at Pearl River Tech
Greenbelt, MD 20770
About the Job
Description
The Technical Lead/IT System Administrator is responsible to provide technical leadership for a team maintaining Windows, Linux, VMWare, on-prem, and AWS environments, and a strong security posture.
This position supports a group of flight dynamics engineers in the GSFC Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF). The FDF is a NASA Mission Essential Infrastructure facility that provides multi-mission navigation services for a wide range of robotic and human space flight spacecraft missions.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical oversight and guidance to Sustaining Engineering team.
- Identify and manage scope, LOE, interrelationships, and associated risks of required tasks.
- Provide technical knowledge and analysis of specialized tools and technologies.
- Provide high-level functional systems analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation guidance.
- Ensure system availability, reliability, and performance.
- Assess the current infrastructure state, identify areas of improvement, and make recommendations regarding technology, processes, and documentation.
- Provide training and guidance on industry best practices.
- Develop, implement, and manage quality processes and standards.
- Provide technical guidance on AWS architecture, DevOps, and system cloud migration.
- Provide technical guidance on VMware
- Direct support all system administration activities.
- Evaluating system subscriptions and licenses and work with Procurement Analyst to get quotes for submitting renewals.
- Managing FDF hardware infrastructure and providing hardware recommendations.
- Maintaining, building, upgrading the organizations VMware infrastructure.
- Training other personnel on how to use, manage, and troubleshoot the VMware environment.
- Participating in building an AWS environment using Terraform and Docker.
- Design, implement, and maintain a Hybrid VMware/AWS solution.
- Sharing in an onsite support role as Goddard Space Flight Center supporting critical mission activities including launch, docking, and landing for crewed and uncrewed missions.
- Support Microsoft Windows Active Directory and server environment.
Required Skills
- Must be able to provide lead and provide technical oversight, guidance and mentoring to all team members on various tool and technologies, administrative procedures, and agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, XP and Lean.
- Must be able to develop standards, methodologies, and technical solutions.
- Have a strong understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), networking protocols, and server administration. Ability in scripting languages (e.g., PowerShell, Bash) is also beneficial.
- Must be able to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues efficiently.
- Must be able to troubleshoot network connectivity problems, system errors, and performance bottlenecks.
- Must be able to configure and manage network devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
- Must be able to implement security measures to protect systems from unauthorized access, malware, and other threats.
- Must be able to establish and maintain backup strategies to ensure data integrity and develop disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime during system failures.
- Must be able to monitor system performance, analyze system logs, and proactively optimize system resources (e.g., CPU, memory, storage) to ensure optimal performance and availability.
- Must be able to maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with team members, end-users, and other stakeholders.
- Must be able to automate routine tasks using scripting languages and configuration management tools to streamline administrative processes and improve efficiency.
- Must possess strong interpersonal skills and a customer-centric approach.
- Must be able to provide effective support and guidance to end-users, resolving technical issues and ensuring user satisfaction.
- Must have the ability to execute Infrastructure-as-Code, using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Chef, or Puppet, to automate and manage infrastructure deployments in the cloud and on-prem.
- Must be able to on occasion lift up to 40 pounds and push up to 200 pounds.
Desired Skills
- One or more of the following AWS certifications: Solution Architect Professional, DevOps Engineer Professional, or Advanced Networking Specialty.
- One or more of the following certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Server+, GCWN, RHCSA, CISA, or VCP-DCV, VCAP Deploy, VCAP Design, VCDX, or any certification demonstrating advance knowledge in system administration or VMWare.
- Experience working at a NASA facility.
- Have the ability to execute Infrastructure-as-Code, using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Chef, or Puppet, to automate and manage infrastructure deployments in the cloud and on-prem.
- 1+ years of experience with VMWare vSphere 8 in a production environment.
- 1+ years of experience with VMWare Cloud Foundations (SDDC Manager, NSX, Tanzu, Aria) in a production environment.
- Experience working with vSAN in a production environment.
Required Experience
- 10+ years professional experience.
- Minimum of 10+ years of System Administration experience.
- 3+ years of experience with VMWare vSphere 7 or greater.
- 4+ years of experience with AWS to include architecture design.
- 1+ years of experience working in an Agile Scrum or Kanban environment.
Required Degree
Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
Security Clearance Requirements
Must be eligible to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.
About Us
Pearl River Technologies (PRT) is an SBA certified HUBZone small disadvantaged business (SDB) providing professional, technical, and administrative support services to federal, state and local government agencies. Through our support and commitment to the HUBZone program, we successfully offer our customers the highest quality of service, while creating opportunities and growth for our employees.
US citizenship required / EEO/AA / E-Verify Participation
As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, Pearl River Technologies LLC provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual's protected status, including race/ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, disability, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.