Senior Systems Administrator
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Saalex
Ridgecrest, CA, US
Summary
The Senior Systems Administrator will maintain, automate, and modernize mission-critical Linux and AWS cloud environments. Responsibilities include system hardening, CI/CD pipeline support, and ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity directives.
Job Description
Saalex is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator in Ridgecrest, CA. Saalex is an Engineering and Information Technology Services company with a focus on Test Range Operations and Management, Engineering and Logistics Services, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Services and Information Technology Services.
Position Type: Part-Time
Salary: $38.00-$40.00 Hourly (depending upon experience)
Work Location: Full-time onsite at China Lake, CA.
About the Opportunity:
Are you an experienced Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) looking for high-impact technical work paired with the flexibility of a part-time schedule?
At Saalex Solutions, we support vital Department of Defense tactical training systems and test range capabilities. We are actively seeking a Senior Red Hat & Cloud Systems Administrator—while targeting a Senior, motivated Journeyman-level professionals with the right mindset, strong technical foundation, and drive to grow are strongly encouraged to apply!
In this role, you will help maintain, automate, and modernize mission-critical systems across hybrid enterprise environments—bridging on-premise high-performance Linux enclaves with AWS cloud architectures. This position offers the ideal blend of high technical autonomy, cutting-edge DevSecOps tooling, and a flexible 20–25 hour workweek.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us:
- True Work-Life Flexibility: Guaranteed 20–25 hours per week with adaptable scheduling around core operational windows.
- Alternate Fridays Off (9/80 Schedule): Enjoy standard three-day weekends every other week.
- Modern Tooling & Autonomy: Drive technical solutions across AWS cloud infrastructure, modern CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code automation.
- Direct Mission Impact: Support real-time systems essential to naval air warfare test ranges and national defense readiness.
- Continuous Growth & Mentorship: Full sponsorship for DoD cyber credentials, technical training, and professional development units (CEUs) to help you advance your career.
Key Responsibilities:
As our Linux and Cloud systems resource, you will perform hands-on administration, hardening, and automation across both classified and unclassified environments:
- Enterprise Linux Administration: Deploy, configure, and administer multi-distribution Linux environments (primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux [RHEL], CentOS, and Ubuntu) supporting real-time servers, lab environments, and field engineering workstations.
- AWS Cloud Engineering: Support, deploy, and maintain scalable AWS infrastructure utilizing VPC, EC2, EBS, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, RDS, and EFS.
- Infrastructure as Code & Automation: Automate routine provisioning, configuration, and deployments using Ansible, Terraform, or AWS CloudFormation.
- System Hardening & Compliance: Apply DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), evaluate Nessus/ACAS scan findings, and remediate vulnerabilities in alignment with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) controls.
- CI/CD & DevSecOps Enablement: Support and maintain continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines (GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, AWS CodePipeline) to enable reliable, secure software releases.
- Performance & Network Tuning: Proactively monitor server health, perform root-cause analysis on system alerts, and troubleshoot network routing (TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, and load balancing).
- Identity & Access Management: Administer user accounts, role-based privileges, and group security policies in accordance with DoD and Navy cybersecurity directives.
- Agile Collaboration: Participate in Agile/Scrum sprint coordination, providing dependable infrastructure and deployment support to software developers, test engineers, and cyber leads.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required:
- Operating System Certification: Active Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
- Cybersecurity Baseline (DoD 8140 / 8570 Compliant): Active DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+, or equivalent).
- Cloud & Automation Exposure: Practical experience with core AWS services (VPC, EC2, S3, IAM) and scripting/automation tools (Bash, Python, Ansible, or Terraform).
- Security Hardening: Familiarity with DISA STIGs, SCAP compliance tools, and vulnerability remediation.
- Master’s degree with 5–7+ years of relevant experience, OR Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical field with 7–10+ years of hands-on experience, OR 8–10+ years of progressive, hands-on Linux system administration experience (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu) and advanced technical proficiency.
Desired:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator.
- Hands-on experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
- Prior experience supporting Navy/DoD test range facilities (NAWCWD China Lake / Point Mugu or similar SSA environments).
- Familiarity with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence) or enterprise Git repositories.
Education:
- Master’s degree with 5–7+ years of relevant experience, OR Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical field with 7–10+ years of hands-on experience, OR 8–10+ years of progressive, hands-on Linux system administration experience (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu) and advanced technical proficiency.
Security Clearance:
- Must possess an active Secret clearance with the ability to gain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.
