Systems Administrator

Company Overview

By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide. 

Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is recognized as a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions to the Federal Government and industry. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and2052 integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains.  CESI also designs, builds and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator and services provider.

Position Overview

The candidate will provide systems administration of a virtualized data center computing environment. The candidate will manage user accounts, provide help desk support, ensure development teams have appropriate system resources, perform patching, manage backups, support cybersecurity controls and other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Ensures that authorized users have system accounts and the ability to access the appropriate system resources, specifically utilizing Red Hat IdM and Keycloack SSO products. Manages a virtualization environment based on VMWare ESXI, vSphere and vCenter. Manages an operating system and core application environment based on the Red Hat suite of products, including the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Provides help desk support. Candidate must have an ability to rapidly triage user issues and resolve issues directly or when necessary seek the appropriate engineering support to come to a resolution. 

Required Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a technical discipline such as information technology, computer science, systems or software engineering from an accredited college or university and Two (2) years experience solving complex engineering and technical problems.
• IAT Level II or greater. Security+, CISSP or other equivalent certification.
• Demonstrated experience with the administration of software systems within virtual machine and container-based cloud infrastructure. Competence with VM, container and Red Hat Linux technologies.
• Environment is primarily built with Linux, VMware, OpenShift and the rest of the Red  Hat suite of enterprise products.
• Experience with private and hybrid cloud design/operation/monitoring/deployment:
  • VMware vCenter and ESXi, generally maintained at the most current version.
• Analyzes real world problems and implements solutions according to corporate guidelines and procedures, and industry best practices. 
• Provides professional-level IT, virtual environment, and network support functions.
• Must be a self-starter in a fast-paced environment and able to work with/manage a range of engineers holding a diverse set of skills at differing levels of experience.
• Be sensitive and flexible to the needs and requirements of the customer.
• Systems administration skills, experience with Linux, security settings, services, hardening of systems (STIGs, security policies); any shell scripting or Python a plus.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications

• Expertise with offensive and/or defensive cyber training.
• Ability to configuration manage, version control, and backup various scripts and work products created to execute and maintain the environment.
• Prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Interact with vendors/users/customers and developers to understand needs and operational requirements changes that will impact development and testing activities, examine any relevant change implementation, then report the changes to developers and testers welcoming feedback for future improvements.
• Ability to solve technical problems involving a variety of integrated software and hardware platforms.
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.

Special Requirements/Security Clearance

Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status and a TOP SECRET security clearance with SCI eligibility, and the ability to obtain a CI poly.  Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.

Salary Range

Based on the roles, responsibilities, and requirements, the projected pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $130,000

The annual base salary provided is a guideline for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. When extending an offer, CESI also considers other variables such as (but not limited to) work experience, education, training, skill set, internal peer equity, clearance level, and market conditions. In addition, CESI provides an extensive selection of benefits and offerings to our employees.

Benefits Overview

CESI recognizes that our strength is our people. We support every employee as an individual to build strong teams across the enterprise.  Our benefit package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• Wellness Program
• 401(k) Matching
• Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Education & Training
• Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)

Cole Engineering Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, membership in an employee organization, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.