Position Summary
The Senior IT Systems Engineer sustains and improves the NIGC hybrid infrastructure across on-premises and Microsoft 365 environments with minimal supervision. This individual administers servers, storage, and networking, manages the Entra ID environment, applies STIG and SCuBA baselines, executes patch and disaster recovery strategies, and provides written recommendations that drive operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities
• Perform systems engineering and maintenance activities in accordance with established standards.
• Apply information systems management principles, including NIST guidelines and FISMA directives.
• Apply networking knowledge across LAN, cloud environments, Microsoft Azure, and wireless management when implementing and troubleshooting solutions.
• Evaluate current NIGC IT systems architecture and configuration and recommend well-researched, documented corrective actions.
• Identify gaps in the implementation of FISMA requirements and propose remediation plans.
• Manage the Microsoft 365 Entra ID environment with a focus on conditional access, MFA integration, and auditing.
• Provide written recommendations to the System Owner on systems operations priorities to drive improvements and identify dependencies.
• Develop and implement STIG configuration baselines for servers and configure proactive monitoring and alerting for all critical IT resources.
• Perform day-to-day IT systems administration across both on-premises and Microsoft 365 environments in accordance with best practices.
• Evaluate and execute security compliance activities, such as EDR policies and SCuBA compliance baselines, to align the environment with cybersecurity directives and internal requirements as requested by the CISO.
• Install, configure, test, and maintain servers, storage, and related networking equipment, including firmware and security updates on servers, printers, and networking equipment.
• Develop disaster recovery strategies for critical systems and data as directed by the System Owner.
• Implement patch management strategies and secure data in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain configuration hygiene, mitigate vulnerabilities, document systems administration processes, and support the implementation of controls that meet FISMA requirements.
• Participate in special project team meetings to gather systems requirements and support the integration of projects with IT operations.
• Develop and maintain accurate systems operations documentation, including standard operating procedures for recurring tasks.
Demonstrated Hands-On Experience (Evaluation Emphasis)
The selected individual must demonstrate hands-on experience administering and supporting enterprise IT infrastructure environments, including networking, server and client systems, on-premises infrastructure, and cloud-based environments within a production setting. The candidate shall clearly describe direct technical experience performing system administration, infrastructure management, systems integration, troubleshooting, maintenance, configuration management, and operational support across these environments.
The candidate shall provide specific examples of hands-on responsibilities, including the types of environments supported, technologies used, the scope of administration activities performed, and the operational outcomes achieved. Relevant experience may include administration of network infrastructure, Windows and Linux server environments, endpoint management, virtualization platforms, cloud platforms and services, storage solutions, identity and access management, and enterprise infrastructure monitoring and support tools, as applicable.
While familiarity with cybersecurity concepts is beneficial, the Government seeks a candidate whose primary qualifications and demonstrated experience center on IT systems engineering and infrastructure operations. Experience focused primarily on cybersecurity analysis, policy, compliance, governance, or security oversight, without substantial hands-on systems engineering and administration experience, will be viewed as less competitive.
Required Qualifications
• Minimum of six continuous years performing in a senior IT systems engineering or infrastructure administration role. Demonstrated hands-on experience is mandatory and may not be substituted.
• Hands-on proficiency across the NIenvironment, including Cisco networking and firewalls, Microsoft cloud technologies (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Entra ID and conditional access, MFA, VMware virtualization, Microsoft Server and Linux administration, storage, STIG and SCuBA baselines, patch management, PowerShell, mobile iOS device management, and disaster recovery.
• Relevant industry certifications are preferred where practicable, such as Microsoft AZ-104 or AZ-305, Cisco CCNA or CCNP, VMware VCP, a Linux administration certification (RHCSA or LPIC), or Security+. Relevant certifications may be substituted for a formal college degree; hands-on experience may not be substituted.
Clearance and Work Conditions
• Place of performance: primarily onsite at NIHeadquarters, 550 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. Limited remote work may be authorized at the discretion of the Federal Task Manager.
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding Federal holidays.
• Successfully complete applicable background investigations and obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement, comply with all NIGC policies, and acknowledge and sign the NIRules of Behavior.
• Obtain a Government-issued PIV Card and use only Government-furnished equipment to access the NIenvironment.
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