Principal / Sr. Principal System Administrator

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: No

About the role

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon.

We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Sr. Principal System Administrator based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• Perform as a Linux Systems Administrator on large, classified government contracts.
• Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, with internal and external customers, in written and verbal formats.
• Maintain smooth operation of multi-user computer systems, including coordination with network, software, and system engineers, PC desktop technicians, project managers, end users, and customer and IT management.
• Support multiple networks.
• Ensure necessary administration tasks are completed and direct others as necessary.
• Analyze internal and external customer requirements and determine equipment and software requirements for solutions to problems by means of automated systems.
• Recommend and implement system enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the system including installing, upgrading/patching, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration management.
• Create and maintain u
• ser and computer accounts and modify file permissions and security access lists.
• Test new releases of products to ensure compatibility and minimize user impact.
• Develop and document technical processes and procedures as needed.
• Make recommendations to purchase hardware, software, and system components.
• Interact, meet, discuss, and troubleshoot issues with vendors; evaluate vendor products, services, and suggestions.
• Adhere to strict Information Systems security guidelines in all cases.
• Maintain security audit and logging information on all classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
• Prepare security documentation for Cyber Security team.
• Report project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.
• Work under minimal direction and independently determine and develop approach to solutions.

This position can be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal level, based on the basic qualifications outlined below.

Basic Qualifications

• Level 3: 5 Years with Bachelors; 3 Years with Masters; 1 Year with PhD. 4 additional years of experience is required in lieu of a degree.
• Level 4: 8 Years with Bachelors; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD. 4 additional years of experience is required in lieu of a degree.
• Must have at least 1 year of server administration experience with RHEL.
• Must have a DoD 8570 IAT Level II baseline certification (example: Security+ CE), or have the ability to obtain one within 6 months of start date as a condition of continued employment.
• Ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work after hours and weekends as needed.
• United States citizenships is required in order to be considered.
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a STEM related discipline, a RedHat Certified Engineer certification, a Security+ CE, and 5+ years of experience with server administration in an SCI classified environment.
• Experience operating under and managing systems within NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3-ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG information system environments.
• Experience with Trusted Guard.
• Tanzu/Kubernetes deployments.
• RHEL System Administration certification(s).
• Experience with NAS storage device (preferably NetApp) administration (ONTAP 8.x or higher; CDOT).
• Solid understanding of Enterprise-level storage concepts to include all commonly-used RAID-levels.
• Satellite configuration and usage experience.
• Solid understanding of remediating security vulnerabilities and experience hardening Linux systems in accordance with RMF and STIGs.
• Ansible, Puppet, RHEL 7, Satellite Experience.
• Solid writing skills and experience using Wiki pages and SharePoint sites for documentation.
• DoD 8570 Certification in a primary OS (Windows, Linux, Cisco).
• Currently valid Security+ CE, CASP, CISSP, or similar security certification.
• An active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.

Primary Level Salary Range

$94,200.00 - $141,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$117,500.00 - $176,300.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.