Job Description

Are you a Unix/Linux System Administrator with a passion for building reliable, mission-critical systems with field-tested technologies?

Are you an upbeat teammate who wants to launch a career contributing to the development, integration, testing, and launching of innovative spaceflight systems?

If so, we invite you to join our team in the Civil Space Mission Area (CSMA) in the Space Exploration Sector (SES) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) onsite at our Laurel, Maryland Campus as a UNIX/Linux System Administrator (SA).

In this position, you will administer and support ground systems and related information technology infrastructure used by leading scientists and engineers to realize scientific and commercial objectives for autonomous space missions.

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a candidate to join our talented System Administration team that provides space mission ground system support. You will be joining a hardworking team and will develop a deep understanding of Linux administration and NASA’s Mission life cycle.

As a System Administrator (SA), your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Administering UNIX/Linux systems connected via a large-scale, high-availability network that supports systems engineering and mission operations activities for critical, high-visibility sponsor programs.
• Specifying, procuring, building/configuring, deploying, maintaining, administering and supporting UNIX/Linux workstations, servers, clusters, network infrastructure, and related equipment (storage, printers, media, etc.).
• Performing regular maintenance tasks to ensure the security and uninterrupted operations of scientific, engineering, and mission-based software.
• Identifying technical requirements and constraints while offering guidance, troubleshooting, support, and assistance to a varied team, including: scientists, engineers, technical leads, project and program managers, subcontractors, and sponsors.
• Proactively identifying and recommending innovative approaches and technologies to address technical challenges and deploy effective solutions.
• Providing on-call support and conducting real-time troubleshooting to resolve system issues.
• Providing technical support during mission critical operations.
• Ensure accurate and consistent technical documentation is created, maintained, and updated regularly.

You will meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related Information Technology field.
• Have two years of hands-on experience administering UNIX/Linux servers, workstations, and associated peripherals (particularly Red Hat Enterprise Linux).
• Can discuss/demonstrate IT systems administration experience to include build, configuration, file and account management, software installation, automation/scripting, patching, and security management
• Are a practical, results-oriented performer and continuous learner.
• Can provide examples of your ability to interact and communicate across organizational staffing levels and clearly present and convey technical information through both oral and written means.
• Show evidence of independent thought and analysis in identifying solutions that can be implemented to solve recurring problems.
• Are able and willing to work non-standard business hours and/or be on-call to support planned, mission critical operations.
• Are able to operate and occasionally drive APL vehicles.
• Can obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. Citizenship. Job continuance dependent upon obtaining a DoD Final Secret clearance.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have four years or more of hands-on experience administering UNIX/Linux servers, workstations, and associated peripherals (particularly Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE, CentOS, Solaris, and/or Ubuntu).
• Show evidence of independent thought and analysis in identifying cost-effective solutions that can be implemented to solve recurring problems across computing infrastructure and systems with a positive track record of making sound decisions.
• Possess skills administering software on Windows systems and integrating them into a UNIX/Linux environment.
• Have experience handling complex, large-scale, mission critical systems.
• Administer or manage virtual environments (particularly VMware) and/or AWS environments.
• Have experience writing shell scripts or light programming in Korn Shell, Bourne Shell, Perl, or Python environments, and/or compiling complex source code.
• Have experience handling web systems running Apache, PHP, and MySQL and analyzing the security of internally developed web applications.
• Have experience with Splunk, Nagios, Salt, and/or Puppet.
• Have experience troubleshooting ization, image builds, storage configuration, user and Linux namespaces, for rooted and rootless s
• Administer or support a Mission Operations Center (MOC) and/or associated ground systems networks and associated technologies
• Can provide examples of your ability to interact and communicate across all organizational staffing levels and stakeholders including external sponsors and third-party collaborators and to clearly present and convey complex technical information through both oral and written means
• Support and/or manage IT systems, networks, and related infrastructure within a NASA or DoD program (familiarity with NASA IONet is a plus).
• Develop thin/zero client solutions for advanced workstation management/deployment
• Possess current DoD 8570 certification (Security+, CISSP, etc.) and/or familiarity with NIST and/or FISMA security standards.
• Hold an active DoD Secret or higher security clearance.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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