System Administrator

Job Summary: System Administrator (NITES Program)

SAIC is hiring a System Administrator to support the NORAD & USNORTHCOM information technology enterprise under the Network Information Technology Enterprise Services (NITES) contract. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert, responsible for maintaining a secure and high-performing enterprise environment. You will manage a hybrid infrastructure that includes Windows Server, Active Directory, and Hypervisor technologies like VMware and Nutanix, ensuring mission-critical systems are patched, compliant, and optimized for global defense operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Administration: Install, configure, and maintain Windows Server environments, focusing heavily on Active Directory and Group Policy Object (GPO) management.

• Virtualization Management: Optimize and manage hyperconverged infrastructure using VMware and/or Nutanix technologies to ensure high availability of virtualized resources.

• Security & Compliance: Implement system security protocols in strict accordance with DoD STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guides) and perform regular system patching.

• Network & Performance Monitoring: Utilize SolarWinds for end-to-end infrastructure observability, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and monitoring network health.

• Documentation & Knowledge Management: Capture and maintain detailed technical documentation, procedures, and knowledge articles to support cross-functional team collaboration.

• Collaboration Tools: Support and maintain enterprise collaboration platforms, specifically SharePoint and Microsoft Teams/O365.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Clearance: Active Top Secret/SCI is strictly required.

• Certification: CompTIA Security+ is mandatory to meet DoD 8570/8140 requirements.

• Experience:

  • Proven track record in a DoD or highly regulated environment.

  • Strong proficiency in Windows Server (2019/2022/2025) and Desktop administration.

  • Hands-on experience with SolarWinds management tools.

  • Expertise in VMware, Nutanix, or Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization.

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS + 2 years of experience, OR

  • High School Diploma + 6 years of experience.

Technical Skills & Toolset

Market & Industry Context: The NORAD/USNORTHCOM Environment in 2026

The NORAD & USNORTHCOM mission requires a resilient, “Always On” infrastructure.

• Hybrid Hypervisors: In 2026, many DoD agencies are moving toward a multi-hypervisor strategy to reduce vendor lock-in. Familiarity with both VMware and Nutanix is a high-value skill as organizations balance mature features with hyperconverged efficiency.

• SolarWinds Observability: Following the evolution of monitoring tools, current DoD administrators use SolarWinds not just for alerts, but for AI-powered observability to predict potential hardware failures before they impact the mission.

• Windows Server 2025: With the widespread adoption of Windows Server 2025 in enterprise environments, administrators are leveraging new features like Hotpatching and enhanced Active Directory security baselines to meet updated Zero Trust mandates.

Interview & Application Insights

• The SolarWinds Deep-Dive: Expect questions specifically on how you have used SolarWinds to troubleshoot complex network issues or generate compliance reports for auditors.

• STIG Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your process for applying DISA STIGs to a fresh Windows Server build without breaking critical application functionality.

• Virtualization Scenarios: You may be asked to compare the benefits of Nutanix’s software-defined storage versus traditional VMware SAN architectures in a localized data center environment.

• Salary Note: While the target range extends higher, the specific entry-point salary mentioned for this role is $80,000 – $85,000.

Career Growth & Professional Development

1. Senior System Administrator: Moving into lead roles overseeing entire virtualization clusters or enterprise-level AD forests.

2. Cloud Architect: Leveraging your Azure Fundamentals to transition the enterprise into hybrid cloud or GovCloud environments.

3. Cybersecurity Engineer: Focusing on the RMF (Risk Management Framework) and advanced threat hunting within the NORAD/USNORTHCOM enclave.

   Category	Details & Specifications
   Employer	SAIC
   Contract	NITES (Supporting NORAD & USNORTHCOM)
   Location	Colorado Springs, CO, United States
   Salary Range	$80,001 – $120,000 (Target range)
   Clearance	Top Secret/SCI (Required)

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   Infrastructure & Security Operations

   As a System Administrator for the NITES contract, you serve as a subject matter expert for the NORAD & USNORTHCOM IT enterprise. Your role is split between maintaining high-availability virtualization and ensuring strict DoD cybersecurity compliance.

   Functional Area	Actionable Tasks
   Virtualization	Managing and optimizing VMware and Nutanix hypervisors; overseeing virtual enterprise solutions.
   Domain Services	Configuring Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and Group Policy (GPO) management.
   Monitoring	Utilizing SolarWinds for network performance monitoring and troubleshooting connectivity.
   Cybersecurity	Implementing DoD security protocols, system patching (STIGs), and ensuring IAVA compliance.
   Automation	Using PowerShell and Microsoft Management Console for environment scaling and maintenance.

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   Mandatory Qualifications & Technical Stack

   • Core Certification: Security+ (Required for DoD 8570 compliance).

   • Baseline Knowledge: MCSA, Azure, or Linux Fundamentals.

   • Education: * Bachelor’s + 2 years of experience OR * High School Diploma + 6 years of experience.

   • Technical Depth: * Proven experience with SolarWinds management is a strong emphasis.

     • Expertise in Windows Server/Desktop administration.

     • Proficiency with SharePoint and Microsoft 365 for collaboration.

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   Desired Skills & Professional Growth

   SAIC values candidates who can bridge the gap between legacy on-premise servers and modern cloud/hybrid environments.

   • Preferred Certs: VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Nutanix Certified Professional (NCP), or Azure Administrator Associate.

   • Soft Skills: Emphasis on detailed documentation of system configurations and “knowledge documents” for the enterprise team.

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   Comparison: Colorado Springs IT & Systems Roles

   Metric	SAIC System Admin	SAIC Systems Engineer	Front Desk Coordinator
   Annual Salary	$80k – $120k	$160k – $200k	~$38k – $40k
   Clearance	TS/SCI	TS/SCI + Poly	None
   Primary Tool	VMware / SolarWinds	MBSE / Architecture	Multi-line Phone
   Focus	Maintenance / Security	Concept / Development	Service / Scheduling
   DoD 8570?	Yes (Security+)	Usually Required	No