Systems Administrator (Linux/Storage)

EXCEED is seeking a Systems Administrator who will be responsible for the maintenance and administration of physical and virtual workstations, servers, and storage based on Linux, Windows, and other proprietary operating systems. The administrator will also configure user access and monitor system stability and security through deployment and everyday use. This role requires extensive familiarity with Linux and Windows systems and may involve some end user support. The administrator will frequently communicate and collaborate with developers to develop and implement system enhancements.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Perform day to day operational and maintenance activities to ensure the health and stability of the systems and databases, and critical infrastructure components.
• Support installing, configuring, migrating, optimizing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise virtualized server environment using VMware vSphere and ESXi hypervisor, vCenter, and SRM management software.
• Administration of Windows Servers, VMWare environments, Microsoft Active Directory (AD) objects, PowerShell Scripting, File & Print services, and Group Policy Objects (GPO).
• Installation, set up, configuration and maintenance of Application Servers, Web Servers, and Database Servers as required.
• Monitor systems performance and ensure compliance with security standards.
• Work with development team to implement and support client offerings.
• Test and evaluate system performance.
• Identify, document, and help implement monitoring points with the Enterprise team.
• Develop detailed installation instructions and supporting documentation to effect system design deployments.
• Develop and maintain custom scripts and stored procedures to automate repetitive tasks and improve consistency in operations and maintenance activities.
• Prepare for new product related releases and assist with new initiatives and upgrades.
• Support and ensure system backups and storage replication are performed on a daily and weekly basis
• Provide technical guidance to users and other administrators.
• Help train and transfer knowledge to other engineers and operations.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills and willing to be a team player.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute, (preferably in Mathematics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or Management) or 5 years additional experience
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in system administration within an enterprise computing environment. Experience with maintaining, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting server system hardware and software, operating systems, client/server software applications, network connectivity and COTS and GOTS.
• Experience with installing, configuring, migrating, optimizing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise virtualized server environment using VMware vSphere and ESXi hypervisor, vCenter, and SRM management software.
• Experience with administering Microsoft Active Directory (AD) objects, PowerShell Scripting, File & Print services, and Group Policy Objects (GPO).
• Must have knowledge and experience with Windows and Linux Server management and administration, system design, configuration, engineering, networking, integration, account management, access permissions, and implementation.
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft IIS, Microsoft SQL Server system design, configuration, engineering, networking, integration, account management, access permissions and implementation.
• Knowledge and experience in designing, analyzing, and maintaining Federally mandated security and configuration settings for Windows Desktop, Windows Server, macOS, and UNIX/Linux operating systems.
• Knowledge and experience with enterprise backup and recovery software; experience configuring software settings, storage policies, snapshots, and catalogs. SITB examples include Cohesity, VMware Snapshots, and SQL Maintenance Plans to perform data backup and recovery in support of data redundancy and disaster recovery.
• Knowledge and experience with configuring and managing enterprise storage systems (hardware and software) with replication services on Dell EMC Isilon, Unity, and Data Domain equipment.
• Knowledge and experience managing server’s, building, and deploying software packages, scripting, and configuration management profiles using tools such as Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Management (MECM).
• Knowledge and experience configuring and using replication/recovery software to manage system failovers to the Disaster Recovery (DR) site. Examples include VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM), Dell EMC RecoverPoint and Superna Eyeglass.
• Knowledge and experience with configuring and using NAS/SAN synchronization features for near real-time data replication to other sites.
• Knowledge and experience installing and configuring various enterprise monitoring tools. Experience using Dynatrace, VMware vCenter Server, and VMware vRealize Operations is preferred.
• Experience with security tools (such as BigFix, Carbon Black, Nessus, Cylance, and CIS Benchmark). Candidate must have experience understanding, assessing, and working on solutions to resolve IT security vulnerabilities and issues.
• Demonstrated experience with Change Management practices.
• Knowledge with Incident, Request, Problem, and Configuration Management processes.
• Candidates must have experience and demonstrated ability to write clear and accurate technical design documents, end user documentation, network/system diagrams, standard operating procedures, Requests for Change (RFC), training materials, new investment proposals, project plans, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply appropriate procedures and controls to meet Federal security mandates.
• Demonstrated experience using incident logging and ticket tracking systems such as ServiceNow (preferred), Remedy, or Cherwell. Knowledge and understanding of IT Service Management, Customer Service, and Service Level Agreements (SLA).
• Experience supporting Windows and macOS as part of an IT Service Desk or on a Desktop Support team is desired.
• Experience setting up and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Experience with Active Directory, DNS, and firewall rulesets.
• Must have excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, team orientation, and strong interpersonal skills. Able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.

Certifications:

• Required: ITIL 4 Foundation (or ability to obtain within 6 months of joining)
• Desired (1 or more): Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate (MDAA); Microsoft Certified IT Enterprise Administrator (MCITP); Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE); Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA); CompTIA A+; CompTIA Network+; CompTIA Linux+; CompTIA Security+; Dell Technologies DCA/DCS-ISM or DCA/DCS-CIS or other industry-recognized certifications.
• Federal customer experience supporting HHS, preferably NIH desired.