Senior Systems Administrator – Validation Testing

SAIC is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator - Validation & Testing (SVAT) Lead in Colorado Springs, CO to manage and govern IT service transition for the NITES program, supporting the critical NORAD/NORTHCOM (N-NC) mission. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between systems engineering and live warfighting operations, ensuring that all Command and Control (C2), intelligence, and enterprise IT services are thoroughly evaluated for operational readiness, security resilience, and interoperability before deployment to operational networks (NIPR, SIPR, and bi-national networks).

This role requires a proven leader capable of managing the Technology Integration Lab (TIL) at Peterson Space Force Base (PSFB) and overseeing the comprehensive testing of hardware, software, and third-party systems. This individual will act as the ultimate quality assurance gatekeeper, ensuring that technology modernizations-including Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiatives-integrate seamlessly without disrupting Homeland Defense and Theater Security Cooperation missions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Test Environment Leadership (TIL Management): Leverage and manage the Technology Integration Lab (TIL) on PSFB. Ensure the test environment accurately replicates the N-NC operational network baseline to facilitate secure IT service integration, testing, and training prior to live deployment.
• Third-Party SVAT Governance: Analyze and evaluate third-party produced SVAT plans. Verify that all third-party test results are satisfactory for accepting new or modified services into O&M sustainment, and author formal evaluation reports (e.g., Deliverable 26).
• Change & Configuration Management: Serve as a key technical authority on the Change Advisory Board (CAB) and Configuration Control Board (CCB). Provide comprehensive validation and testing data within all Change Requests (CRs) to justify deployment approvals.
• Technical Testing Execution: Design and execute automated testing, performance/load testing, and mission-thread testing for complex systems (including JADC2 and Tactical Data Links like GCCS-J). Enforce Shift-Left testing philosophies within a DoD DevSecOps pipeline.
• Security & RMF Alignment: Coordinate with Information System Security Managers (ISSMs) to ensure vulnerability scans (ACAS, Fortify), Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles, and system configurations map directly to Risk Management Framework (RMF) controls for ATO packages.
• Documentation & Compliance: Author, review, and approve critical test documentation in accordance with Joint Staff records management (CJCSM 5760.01), including Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP), System Validation Test Plans (SVTP), and Quick Look Reports (QLR).

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI.
• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, System Engineering, or a related field plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant IT experience (or Associate degree + 7 years, or High School diploma + 10-12 years). Must have proven experience in a technical QA, testing, or SVAT leadership role within a DoD environment.
• Certifications:
  • Active DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II or III certification (e.g., Security+ CE, SSCP, CISSP, or CASP+).
  • Relevant Computing Environment or Testing Certification (e.g., ISTQB Certified Tester, ITIL v4 Foundation, or relevant Microsoft/VMware/Linux fundamentals).

Skills / Competencies:

• Domain Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of software testing methodologies (regression, load, functional), enterprise IT architecture (virtualization, networks, cross-domain solutions), and ITIL-based Service Transition and Deployment Management.
• DoD Frameworks: Deep knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF), DISA STIGs, DevSecOps principles, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) validation.
• Testing & ITSM: Strong grasp of automated testing frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Jenkins), defect management via tools like Ivanti or JIRA, and rigorous system acceptance testing protocols.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to enforce testing mandates, navigate rigid compliance pathways, and coordinate with multiple federal, military, and bi-national stakeholders (e.g., Canadian Forces, DHS, FEMA).
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex test results into actionable risk assessments and formal Evaluation Reports for senior military leadership and CAB members.

Preferred Skills / Certifications / Qualifications:

• Advanced Certifications: ISTQB Advanced Level (Test Manager or Test Automation Engineer); ITIL v4 Managing Professional; CISSP or CASP+.
• Military Environment Experience: Prior experience supporting NORAD/NORTHCOM missions, understanding bi-national coalition networks, and familiarity with C2 systems (e.g., ADACS).
• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in scripting languages and automated testing tools (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Apache JMeter, LoadRunner) to optimize validation processes.
• Advanced Architectures: Experience testing cloud-native applications, containerized environments (Kubernetes/Docker), and complex identity, credential, and access management (ICAM) structures.