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Principal/Sr Principal Systems Administrator

Aurora, Colorado, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 seeking a Principal / Sr. Principal System Administrator to join our team at our facility in Aurora, Colorado.

Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Perform as a Linux and Windows System Administrator on large government contracts.

  • Perform administration on VMware technologies (or related)

  • Experience with all aspects of NAS Storage

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Provide backup and recovery services; manage file systems and disk space; manage virus protection on a routine basis.

  • Create and maintain user and computer accounts and modify file permissions and security access lists.

  • Maintain security audit and logging information on all classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).

  • Support the Cyber Security team.

  • Report on project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Principal: Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of IT experience; Master’s degree with 3 years of IT experience; Associate degree with 7 years of IT experience; OR a HS Diploma / GED with 9 years of IT experience is required

  • Sr. Principal: Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of IT experience; Master’s degree with 6 years of IT experience; Associate degree with 10 years of IT experience; OR a HS Diploma / GED with 12 years of IT experience is required

  • Candidate must have active/current Top Secret/SCI clearance with adjudicated Full Scope Polygraph at time of application

  • Must have server administration experience with Linux (RedHat Enterprise Linux is preferred) and Windows

  • Perform administration on VMware technologies (or related)

  • Must have a DOD 8570 IAT Level 2 baseline certification (example: Security+ CE); OR must have the ability to obtain one within 6 months of start date.

  • Experience with NAS storage device (preferably NetApp) administration (ONTAP 8.x or higher; CDOT)

  • Ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

  • Ability to support after hours and on weekends as needed

  • Ability and willingness to travel 15%

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Higher degree in a STEM-related discipline

  • Network hardware and configuration

  • 5+ years of experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 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

  • Solid understanding of Enterprise-level storage concepts to include all commonly used RAID-levels

  • Solid understanding of remediating security vulnerabilities; Experience hardening Linux systems in accordance with RMF and STIGs

  • Identity Management (Single Sign-On) experience

  • VMware and ESXi (6.x or higher) configuration and management experience

  • Experience with host-based firewall implementations and configuration (Redhat “iptables”)

  • Windows 10 administration experience; Windows Server experience; Group Policies (GPOs) experience; Active Directory management experience

  • Solid writing skills and use of 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

  • Experience in VMWare, NetApp and Splunk among other industry standard technologies.  Comfortable with maintenance and OS upgrades

  • Preferred candidate will be familiar with Tenable and Nessus scans for vulnerability and controls implementation.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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