Senior Systems Administrator

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

What We’re Looking For:

We are looking for a Senior Systems Administrator to partner with our Network Infrastructure team in support of a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. The Senior Systems Administrator will be responsible for identifying and autonomously implementing ideas and solutions in support of the management and monitoring of SDA network infrastructure. Responsibilities include managing a Redhat Openstack platform, along with Dell Compute Systems, Netapp Storage, as well as Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosted systems. In this role, you will provide support to the overall SDA and remote Teleport Systems by configuring and maintaining Local and remote infrastructure equipment and devices. In addition, you’ll participate in, and at times lead, the implementation of solutions that follow Government best practice guiding principles.

This position requires an active/current Top Secret Security Clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

What You’ll Do:

• Provide day-to-day support and maintenance for all Compute, Storage, and AWS Systems and applications across the network, both locally and remote
• Responsible for the administration, maintenance, tuning, and applying directed solutions to Development and Production Systems running Redhat Openstack & Redhat OS
• Responsible for administrating, maintaining, performance tuning, and troubleshooting multiple Kubernetes environments
• Responsible for administrating, maintaining, performance tuning, and troubleshooting Openstack, AWS, Linux, and Platform software
• Ensure proper backup processes are in place to allow for full recovery of sites and documents
• Conduct regularly scheduled security audits across all Linux systems
• Work directly with engineers and operators to investigate and troubleshoot issues and outages in real-time, recommending solutions to address issues
• Be accountable for the development and maintenance of processes, procedures, and diagrams, as it relates to system flows and installation

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, Engineering or related program of study; or equivalent, relevant, and progressively responsible experience in lieu of degree
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience
• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering and maintaining Kubernetes, AWS, Openstack, and/or Linux environments
• Possess at least ONE of the following certifications: CompTIA Security+, CASP+ CE (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner), CCNP Security (Cisco Certified Network Professional), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISSP (or Associate) (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), GCED (GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender), GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler) or CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
• Must have a familiarity with Redstone Arsenal Military Base
• A moderate understanding of system networking in order to support the network team and troubleshoot issues
• Well versed in use of Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues to groups outside of your team or those who are unfamiliar with the topic
• Have confidence and be able to easily build relationships with leadership and colleagues outside of your team
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions and come up with out-of-the-box solutions
• Be proactive in providing feedback and be enthusiastic in sharing your knowledge with others
• Capable of prioritizing your own tasks and potentially the tasks of others while making sure deadlines are met

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Current/active TS/SCI clearance
• Government Operations experience in a 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) environment
• Any relevant technical certifications [i.e., CompTIA, RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator), MSCE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert), F5, etc.]
• Advanced skills with Nagios Monitoring performance tools
• Advanced skills with shell scripting for server deployment and administration

We’ll also need you to:

• Be able to support 24/7 on-call on an as-needed basis
• Be able to travel occasionally, about 3 to 4 times per year
• Be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens

Work Environment:

This position exclusively works onsite in a classified operations center; remote work is not available. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse and printer. For meetings in person, this position will need to be able stand, walk within the office and climb stairs on occasion.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $116,000 - $150,000

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.