Systems Administrator

Job Title: Senior Systems Administrator

Location: Chantilly, VA - Hybrid, 3 days onsite per week

Duration: 6 months Contract-to-Hire

Interview Process: Single 45-minute virtual interview

Top Must-Haves:

• Strong experience with M365, Azure, Entra ID, Exchange, and VMware (100% SaaS environment)

• Solid networking understanding. Able to monitor a firewall, pull logs

• CMMC experience Nice to have-

• Palo Alto experience is a plus, as they are transitioning to it

• Personality and soft skills are important. Cultural fits are evaluated heavily

Client is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator to join our talented IT team. The Senior Systems Administrator serves as a technical leader within Cape Fox, responsible for designing, implementing, securing, and maintaining the organization's server, network, and cloud infrastructure. This role provides expert-level support and hands-on administration across Windows servers, virtualization platforms, firewalls, switches, storage, and enterprise applications. The Senior Systems Administrator ensures the stability, performance, and security of mission-critical systems while driving infrastructure improvements, leading technical projects, and supporting strategic IT initiatives. This position requires deep technical expertise, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively with IT leadership and cross-functional teams to support a high-performing, secure enterprise environment.

• Design, administer, and optimize Windows Server environments, virtualization platforms, storage systems, and core network components.

• Manage on-premises and cloud infrastructure-including virtual machines, identity services, backups, security configurations, and enterprise applications throughout their full lifecycle.

• Oversee firewalls, switches, wireless networks, and VPN systems to ensure secure and reliable connectivity across all Cape Fox locations.

• Lead patching, updates, monitoring, and performance tuning while providing Tier 3 escalation support for complex incidents and outages.

• Troubleshoot advanced system, network, and integration issues across both on-premises and cloud environments to minimize operational impact.

• Implement and enforce security best practices, including access controls, encryption, logging, monitoring, vulnerability remediation, and system hardening aligned with CMMC/NIST requirements.

• Conduct regular system health checks, security audits, and risk assessments, documenting findings and remediating gaps proactively.

• Develop scripts, automation tools, and streamlined workflows to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual effort.

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including configurations, procedures, diagrams, policies, and system change records.

• Collaborate with IT leadership and external partners (vendors, MSPs, MSSPs) on strategic planning, solution evaluations, infrastructure modernization, and technical project implementations.

• Mentor junior administrators and support staff, providing technical guidance and knowledge transfer to elevate team capabilities.

Job Requirements

• Strong problem-solving abilities with the capability to resolve complex or conflicting technical situations.

• Familiarity with current CMMC requirements and general cybersecurity best practices.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong proficiency with Windows Server administration and core infrastructure services.

• Hands-on experience with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V.

• Solid understanding of networking concepts including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and firewalls.

• Experience managing cloud environments (Azure or AWS), including identity, compute, and security configurations.

• Proficiency with scripting or automation tools (PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.).

• Advanced troubleshooting and analytical skills across systems, networks, and cloud services.

• Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.

• 5-7+ years of hands-on experience in systems administration or a related infrastructure-focused role.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

• CompTIA Security+ (or higher-level security certification)

Looking forward to hearing from you!