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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Sr. Principal System Administrators Lead - **Company:** RTX - **Location:** McKinney, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $107,500.0 - $204,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Microsoft Windows, Active Directory, User Authentication, Backup Devices, Bash Shell, Configuration Management, Cyber Security, System Configuration, Data Centers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Linux, Disaster Recovery, RAID, Domain Name System (DNS), VMware ESX Servers, Hardware Design, Monitoring of Systems, Identity and Access Management, Python (Programming Language), Linux System Administration, System Center Configuration Manager, Windows Servers, Windows PowerShell, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ansible, Server Administration, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, VMware Infrastructure, Virtualization Technology, VMware VSphere, Data Storage Management, High Performance Computing, Reliability of Systems, Modeling and Simulation, Patch Management, Data Management, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Splunk, Wsus, Vmware - **Published:** October 1, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9207229/sr-principal-system-administrators-lead ## About the Role Typically requires a University degree or equivalent experience and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years experience. Active U.S. Secret security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for the required security clearance. Advanced experience administering and troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux and/or Microsoft Windows Server environments. Experience serving as a technical lead for complex infrastructure implementations, migrations, upgrades, or sustainment efforts. Experience with some but not all of the following technologies: Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, WSUS, VMware vCenter/vSphere/ESXi, enterprise backup and recovery solutions, Splunk, NAS/SAN storage, and Windows 10/11. Qualifications We Prefer: Experience troubleshooting complex technical issues involving multiple infrastructure components and develop solutions with limited technical direction. Experience designing, implementing, or maintaining highly available and resilient enterprise infrastructure. Experience developing technical implementation plans, system architecture documentation, standard operating procedures, configuration documentation, and troubleshooting procedures. Experience scripting and automation experience using PowerShell, Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar technologies. Experience mentoring System Administrators and providing technical leadership to senior technical personnel. Experience collaborating across Engineering, Networking, Cybersecurity, Security, and program organizations to resolve complex technical and operational issues. Evaluate technical risks, develop courses of action, and provide recommendations to technical and program leadership.Current DoD 8140/8570 compliant certification, such as Security+ CE or equivalent, and applicable operating system certification. Experience with NISPOM, JAFAN, JSIG, DFARS, NIST, and/or DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements. Experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration, troubleshooting, hardening, and lifecycle management. Experience architecting or administering VMware-based virtual infrastructure at enterprise scale. Experience with enterprise storage technologies, including NAS, SAN, RAID, storage provisioning, performance management, and disaster recovery. Experience designing and supporting infrastructure for engineering development environments, software development, modeling and simulation, and hardware integration. Experience with Microsoft WSUS, SCCM, Exchange, Active Directory, and Group Policy administration. High Performance Computing (HPC) experience within Linux environments. Experience leading infrastructure modernization, technology refresh, operating system migration, virtualization, or data center consolidation efforts. ## Description Serve as a senior technical authority for IT systems administration across heterogeneous Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Microsoft Windows, Virtualization, storage, and network-connected environments supporting classified programs. Lead the architecture, installation, configuration, integration, and lifecycle management of complex Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows infrastructure. Provide technical leadership across all phases of system implementation, including requirements analysis, architecture and design, installation, integration, testing, documentation, accreditation support, deployment, sustainment, and technology refresh. Lead complex troubleshooting and root-cause analysis efforts involving operating systems, virtualization, storage, authentication, networking, applications, and infrastructure dependencies. Develop and coordinate corrective actions for issues that span multiple technical disciplines. Serve as a technical lead for major infrastructure upgrades, migrations, system deployments, and modernization efforts. Develop implementation strategies that minimize operational risk and disruption to mission systems. Develop technical solutions for highly complex and unique infrastructure problems where established procedures or existing solutions may not be sufficient. Provide advanced technical expertise in Linux and Windows environments, including DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, Group Policy, authentication, server replication, patch management, storage, virtualization, and enterprise backup and recovery. Lead Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation, configuration, hardening, patching, troubleshooting, and sustainment activities across enterprise and classified environments. Develop and implement automation using PowerShell, Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar technologies to improve system provisioning, configuration management, compliance, monitoring, and sustainment. Lead technical meetings, design reviews, troubleshooting sessions, and implementation planning with Engineering, Cybersecurity, Networking, Security, program leadership, and other stakeholders. Provide technical recommendations to program leadership regarding infrastructure architecture, system performance, cybersecurity compliance, technology refresh, capacity planning, and lifecycle management. Serve as a mentor and technical escalation point for System Administrators and Principal System Administrators. Provide technical direction, knowledge transfer, training, and development of less-experienced team members. Establish and improve standardized system administration processes, technical procedures, configuration baselines, troubleshooting guides, and operational documentation. Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, availability, security, scalability, and administrative efficiency across supported environments. Lead provisioning, installation, configuration, operation, and maintenance of hardware and software supporting Linux and Windows infrastructure for classified programs. Responsibilities include server management, virtualization, storage management, cross-platform authentication, access management, backup and restoration, software and license management, workstation support, and infrastructure monitoring. Partner with Cybersecurity professionals to develop and maintain secure system configurations, remediate vulnerabilities, implement security controls, and maintain compliance with applicable classified computing requirements. Evaluate vulnerability findings, system risks, and technical dependencies and develop remediation strategies that balance cybersecurity requirements with mission and operational needs. Provide technical leadership during system outages and other critical incidents, coordinating troubleshooting across multiple functional teams and driving issues through resolution and root-cause analysis. Support systems operating in 24x7 mission environments and provide technical leadership outside normal business hours when required to resolve critical system issues. Maintain Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8140/8570 certification requirements applicable to the position. Full-time, 100% onsite position. ## Related Videos - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [What makes Cybersecurity different for critical infrastructure?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/571-what-makes-cybersecurity-different-for-critical-infrastructure) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) - [Hacking MSSQL on Cloud. All of them. 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