IT Systems Administrator

IT Systems Administrator (VMware / Linux / Windows / Mission Support)

The IT System Administrator plays a key role in implementing and maintaining standards, methodologies, and technical solutions across a diverse IT environment. This role supports Windows, Linux, VMware, on-premises infrastructure, networking components, and security-focused operations. The administrator will help ensure stable, secure, and high-performing systems that meet mission and organizational requirements.

This position directly supports a team of Flight Dynamics Engineers within the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF). The FDF is a NASA Mission Essential Infrastructure facility responsible for providing Multi-mission Navigation Services for a wide range of robotic and human spaceflight missions. The selected candidate will contribute to the reliability and readiness of systems that enable critical mission operations.

Responsibilities

· Installing, configuring, and maintaining Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems.

· Strong proficiency with Ansible, Bash shell scripting, file management, and text editing (vi/vim).

· Creating and managing Linux partitions, logical volumes (LVM), and file systems.

· Managing security settings, firewalls, and SELinux policies

· Developing Ansible playbooks to automate system administration tasks and manage configurations.

· Backup, restore, and other disaster recovery activities.

· Provide technical expertise and analysis for specialized tools and technologies.

· Deliver high-level systems analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation guidance.

· Ensure system availability, reliability, and performance across all supported environments.

· Assess current infrastructure, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend enhancements to technology, processes, and documentation.

· Support VMware environments, including VMware Cloud Foundation.

· Perform day-to-day system administration activities for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and Windows servers and workstations.

· Maintain, build, and upgrade organizational and VMware infrastructure.

· Participate in onsite on-call support rotations at Goddard Space Flight Center for mission-critical activities, including but not limited to launch, docking, and landing operations.

· Support Microsoft Windows Active Directory and server environments.

Required Skills

· 4 to 6+ years of Red Hat Enterprise Linux experience

· Experience working in a production environment with VMWare

· Strong understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, Linux), networking protocols, and server administration.

· Ability to script using PowerShell, Bash, Python or similar languages.

· Proficiency in diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues.

· Ability to troubleshoot network connectivity problems, system errors, and performance bottlenecks.

· Experience configuring and managing routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.

· Ability to develop and maintain backup strategies and disaster recovery plans.

· Experience monitoring system performance, analyzing logs, and optimizing resource usage (CPU, memory, storage).

· Strong documentation skills for system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.

· Effective communication skills for collaborating with team members, end-users, and stakeholders.

· Ability to automate routine tasks using scripting or configuration management tools.

· Ability to provide clear, effective technical support to end-users.

· Willingness to support mission activities that may occur after hours, overnight, or on weekends.

Desired Skills

· One or more of the following certifications: RHCSA, CISA, VCP-DCV, VCAP Deploy, VCAP Design, VCDX, or other advanced system administration/VMware certifications.

· Experience working at a NASA facility.

· Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Ansible

· 4 + years of experience with VMware vSphere 8 in production.

· 3+ years of experience with VMware Cloud Foundation (SDDC Manager, NSX, etc).

· Experience with vSAN in production.

Required Experience

· 4+ years of professional experience.

· 4+ years of Linux system administration experience.

· 4+ years of VMWare experience.

· 2+ years of Windows system administration experience

Required Education

· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.