Technology Operations/Cloud Compute Administrator

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We're on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We're changing. Because students need a better way.

We're looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students-and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It's where you're empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you-from physical and mental to financial and professional. You'll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We're obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking "why not?" when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

What You'll Contribute

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Manager - Technology Operations/Cloud Compute Administrator to manage and optimize Sallie Mae's cloud-based EC2 and container infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in both Red Hat Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems and a strong background in containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes along with exposure to services like RedHat Openshift, AWS EKS and AWS Fargate. This role requires hands-on experience in cloud environments, automation, and system reliability to ensure seamless deployment, performance, and security of our applications.

What You'll Do

• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Maintain, configure, and optimize cloud-based compute environments (AWS, some Azure).
• Linux & Windows Administration: Perform system administration, troubleshooting, patching/vulnerability management, and CIS security hardening on Linux and Windows server OS using tools like Ansible, Microsoft Group Policy, Microsoft InTune etc. This involves also managing the Sallie Mae AWS AMI's and releasing them monthly with all the latest patch sets.
• Containerization & Orchestration: Deploy, manage, and troubleshoot containerized applications using Docker, Kubernetes, or other container platforms.
• Automation & Scripting: Develop scripts and automation tools using PowerShell, Bash, Python, Linux Shell Scripting, AWS CloudFormation, and Ansible/Ansible Tower for cloud and system management.
• Security & Compliance: Ensure infrastructure security, implement best practices, and maintain compliance with industry standards.
• Performance Monitoring: Utilize monitoring tools like Dynatrace or CloudWatch/CloudTrail to track performance, availability, reliability and optimize system efficiency.
• Storage: Configure and manage local EBS EC2 storage within the Sallie Mae cloud environment. This includes understanding different workloads and allocating storage efficiently to avoid cost over-running.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Work with development teams to support CI/CD pipelines and document system processes for operational efficiency.
• Establish and maintain technology infrastructure standards, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.

What you have

M inimum education, skills and experience required.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience managing cloud-based compute infrastructure.
• Strong proficiency in Red Hat Linux and Microsoft Windows system administration. Microsoft Windows or RedHat Linux Certifications are a plus.
• Hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and container orchestration and management.
• Familiarity with cloud services in AWS and Azure public clouds.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools, including AWS CloudFormation and Ansible.
• Solid understanding of networking, security groups, firewalls, and storage solutions in cloud environments.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps methodologies.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred education, skills and experience required.

• Certifications such as AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, Azure Administrator Associate, or Kubernetes Certification (CKA/CKAD).
• Experience with serverless computing and microservices architecture in the cloud.
• Familiarity with log management and observability tools.
• Previous experience in cloud security and compliance practices.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the "essential functions" of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.

Feeling your best helps you do your best:

Our benefits take care of the whole you-so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more
• Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs
• Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)
• Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives
• Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs
• Career development and training opportunities

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Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.