IT Systems Administrator (VMware / Linux / Windows / Mission Support)

The IT System Administrator plays a key role in implementing and maintaining standards, methodologies, and technical solutions across a diverse IT environment. This role supports Windows, Linux, VMware, on-premises infrastructure, networking components, and security-focused operations. The administrator will help ensure stable, secure, and high-performing systems that meet mission and organizational requirements.

This position directly supports a team of Flight Dynamics Engineers within the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF). The FDF is a NASA Mission Essential Infrastructure facility responsible for providing Multi-mission Navigation Services for a wide range of robotic and human spaceflight missions. The selected candidate will contribute to the reliability and readiness of systems that enable critical mission operations.

Responsibilities

• Installing, configuring, and maintaining Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems.
• Strong proficiency with Ansible, Bash shell scripting, file management, and text editing (vi/vim).
• Creating and managing Linux partitions, logical volumes (LVM), and file systems.
• Managing security settings, firewalls, and SELinux policies
• Developing Ansible playbooks to automate system administration tasks and manage configurations.
• Backup, restore, and other disaster recovery activities.
• Provide technical expertise and analysis for specialized tools and technologies.
• Deliver high-level systems analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation guidance.
• Ensure system availability, reliability, and performance across all supported environments.
• Assess current infrastructure, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend enhancements to technology, processes, and documentation.
• Support VMware environments, including VMware Cloud Foundation.
• Perform day-to-day system administration activities for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and Windows servers and workstations.
• Maintain, build, and upgrade organizational and VMware infrastructure.
• Participate in onsite on-call support rotations at Goddard Space Flight Center for mission-critical activities, including but not limited to launch, docking, and landing operations.
• Support Microsoft Windows Active Directory and server environments.

Required Skills

• 4 to 6+ years of Red Hat Enterprise Linux experience
• Experience working in a production environment with VMWare
• Strong understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, Linux), networking protocols, and server administration.
• Ability to script using PowerShell, Bash, Python or similar languages.
• Proficiency in diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues.
• Ability to troubleshoot network connectivity problems, system errors, and performance bottlenecks.
• Experience configuring and managing routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Ability to develop and maintain backup strategies and disaster recovery plans.
• Experience monitoring system performance, analyzing logs, and optimizing resource usage (CPU, memory, storage).
• Strong documentation skills for system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with team members, end-users, and stakeholders.
• Ability to automate routine tasks using scripting or configuration management tools.
• Ability to provide clear, effective technical support to end-users.
• Willingness to support mission activities that may occur after hours, overnight, or on weekends.

Desired Skills

• One or more of the following certifications: RHCSA, CISA, VCP-DCV, VCAP Deploy, VCAP Design, VCDX, or other advanced system administration/VMware certifications.
• Experience working at a NASA facility.
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Ansible
• 4 + years of experience with VMware vSphere 8 in production.
• 3+ years of experience with VMware Cloud Foundation (SDDC Manager, NSX, etc).
• Experience with vSAN in production.

Required Experience

• 4+ years of professional experience.
• 4+ years of Linux system administration experience.
• 4+ years of VMWare experience.
• 2+ years of Windows system administration experience

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.