Senior Cloud Systems Administrator (Azure)

Contract Details
Work Mode: Hybrid (onsite at least 3 days/week)
Location: Herndon, VA (local VA residents within ~30 miles required)
Schedule: 40 hours/week
Duration: 08/17/2026 08/16/2027
Conversion: Potential to convert to full-time

About the Opportunity
Join a senior-level infrastructure team responsible for the evaluation, design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of an enterprise Server and Application Services (SAS) environment. You will drive automation, reliability, and security across on-prem and cloud services with a focus on Microsoft Azure, Windows Server, and Linux, ensuring high availability and adherence to stringent security and encryption protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain enterprise server and application services with a focus on availability, performance, and security.
• Develop and document standards, diagrams, and workflows for server/application landscapes.
• Create processes for performance monitoring, incident response, capacity planning, and change management.
• Lead incident diagnosis, corrective action, and root cause analysis.
• Own vulnerability management and monthly system patching and maintenance.
• Oversee configuration, testing, installation, modification, and servicing of server components and applications.
• Independently prioritize and manage work based on system criticality.
• Coordinate with vendors for evaluation, procurement, and lifecycle management of infrastructure components.
• Serve as SME and partner with Cloud Operations, Cyber Security, and Systems Administration teams.
• Plan and execute comprehensive systems analysis and design for new infrastructure solutions while maintaining high end-user satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in enterprise Systems Administration or Cloud Administration.
• Expert-level Microsoft Azure administration.
• Senior-level Windows Server administration including Active Directory, DNS, and Group Policy.
• 4+ years of automation scripting with PowerShell or Bash.
• Hands-on experience with Ansible for deployments.
• Experience working with firewalls.
• Experience troubleshooting and patching SUSE, Red Hat, or CentOS.
• Vulnerability management and monthly patching experience.
• Must be able to work onsite in Herndon, VA at least 3 days/week; local VA residency within ~30 miles required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen (single U.S. citizenship only).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Relevant certifications such as MCSE, MCITP, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure Administrator (AZ-104), Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-303/304).
• Experience integrating SIEM, backup, and monitoring tools.
• Knowledge of security best practices and frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53).

Work Environment
Collaborative enterprise IT setting with close partnership across infrastructure, cloud, and security teams. Emphasis on documentation, standards, and continuous improvement of availability, performance, and security.