Senior Systems Administrator (IV&V AND NIST)

Role :Senior Systems Administrator (IV&V / NIST / Audit Focus)

Location: Herndon, VA (100% Onsite)

Work Authorization : Independent candidate only

Pay Rate : $60-65/hr C2

IV&V required (Independent Verification and Validation)

Job Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Systems Administrator with strong IV&V, NIST, and audit experience to support critical infrastructure programs for AT&T supporting FAA projects. This role goes beyond traditional system administration and requires expertise in compliance validation, security frameworks, and independent system verification.

The ideal candidate will ensure that network and system infrastructure meet strict operational, security, and regulatory standards, particularly within NIST-aligned environments.

Must Have Skills

• 7+ years of Systems Administration experience
• Strong experience with NIST frameworks and compliance audits
• Hands-on experience with IV&V (Independent Verification & Validation)
• Experience supporting federal or regulated environments
• Strong knowledge of network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs)
• Experience conducting system reviews, compliance assessments, and technical audits
• Ability to work 100% onsite in Herndon, VA
• US Citizenship required

Key Responsibilities

IV&V & Compliance

• Lead Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities for infrastructure and systems projects
• Validate system implementations against project requirements, compliance standards, and security frameworks
• Conduct technical audits and compliance assessments aligned with NIST and federal security standards

Infrastructure Validation

• Review network architecture, system configurations, and deployments
• Validate functionality and performance of infrastructure including:
• Routers
• Switches
• Firewalls
• VPNs
• Servers
• Network monitoring tools

Risk & Audit Management

• Identify gaps, risks, and compliance issues
• Provide remediation recommendations and mitigation strategies
• Produce detailed IV&V reports and documentation for stakeholders and auditors

Collaboration

• Work closely with engineering, security, and project management teams
• Support audit preparation and regulatory compliance efforts
• Mentor junior administrators and promote best practices in systems governance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in Systems Administration / Infrastructure Engineering
• Proven experience performing IV&V or independent system validation
• Strong knowledge of NIST security frameworks and audit processes
• Experience with enterprise network infrastructure and system security
• Excellent documentation, analytical, and reporting skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting FAA, telecom, or federal infrastructure programs
• Certifications such as:
• CISSP
• CRISC
• CSQA
• Security+ or similar

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• Experience with network monitoring and automation tools