Senior Systems Administrator Jobs
Senior Systems Administrator jobs are open across healthcare, finance, government, and technology, from mid-level to staff and principal, with specializations in cloud infrastructure, Windows and Linux environments, and virtualization. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Date Posted:
2026-09-16Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-MA-WOBURN-WB1 ~ 235 Presidential Way ~ SPENCER BLDGPosition Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: SecretSecurity Clearance Status:
Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start dateAt RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Principal System Administrators, based in Woburn, MA, internally known as Principal Analyst Infrastructure Workplace Services, collaborate with many teams to support exciting, critical programs with classified information system capabilities. Success in this role means you can develop, implement and maintain secure, cost-efficient environments across various classified programs. Program teams rely on your collaboration and guidance to define computing requirements and create end-to-end solutions to solve complex IT infrastructure problems.
What You Will Do:
- Serve as a Principal Systems Administrator will be supporting Windows and Linux enterprise environments, responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, patching, and troubleshooting of Windows Server, Windows 11, RHEL 7/8/9, and virtualized infrastructure within a large-scale, mission-critical environment operating 24x7x365.
- Experience with Windows and Linux patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance activities, including STIG/EVAL STIG implementation, SCAP/ACAS support, log collection, and close coordination with Cyber Security teams to maintain continuous compliance with DoD and regulatory requirements.
- Design, deploy, and maintain virtual infrastructure using VMware ESXi and vCenter, including VM lifecycle management, host upgrades, performance tuning, and support of critical production workloads.
- Engineer and sustain enterprise imaging, deployment, and automation solutions, including MECM/SCCM, PXE, Windows imaging, in-place OS upgrades, and scripted software deployment using PowerShell and automation frameworks.
- Administer and support core Windows services and integrations, including Active Directory, Group Policy, secure system configurations, certificate-based authentication, and customized user environments.
- Collaborate across Digital Technology, Engineering, Cyber Security, DevSecOps, Networking, Storage, and Tools teams to resolve complex infrastructure, integration, and compliance challenges, while operating independently with minimal oversight.
- Support both planned and emergent operational needs in a fully on-site DoD closed-area environment, including occasional after-hours support and up to 10% travel as required to meet program objectives.
- Work independently, prioritize competing demands, and execute with minimal direction in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Full time 100% onsite position.
- Must have an interim clearance to start
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Typically, bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
- Able to obtain a U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. Must have an DoD interim clearance to start
- Experience administering and securing Windows and RHEL servers
- Experience with VMware virtualization
- Experience with securing system configurations, system hardening
- Experience with scripting
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Current active a Secret clearance
- Experience serving as a technical SME or primary point of contact for patching, vulnerability remediation, or compliance initiatives.
- Hands-on experience with MECM/SCCM, PXE boot services, OS imaging, and automated software deployment frameworks.
- Familiarity with NetApp storage and/or HPC environments.
- Experience with enterprise Windows services, including Active Directory, Group Policy, and identity integration.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity and compliance tooling, such as ACAS, SCAP, Splunk, STIG Viewer, and audit support processes.
- Experience supporting or integrating with DevSecOps environments, including Kubernetes, Rancher, and artifact repositories.
- Experience with SQL Server, including clustered configurations.
- Prior experience supporting DoD, defense, or highly regulated environments.
Relocation eligible
What We Offer:
Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
Learn More & Apply Now!
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
Privacy Policy and Terms:
Date Posted:
2026-09-16Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-MA-WOBURN-WB1 ~ 235 Presidential Way ~ SPENCER BLDGPosition Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: SecretSecurity Clearance Status:
Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start dateAt RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Principal System Administrators, based in Woburn, MA, internally known as Principal Analyst Infrastructure Workplace Services, collaborate with many teams to support exciting, critical programs with classified information system capabilities. Success in this role means you can develop, implement and maintain secure, cost-efficient environments across various classified programs. Program teams rely on your collaboration and guidance to define computing requirements and create end-to-end solutions to solve complex IT infrastructure problems.
What You Will Do:
- Serve as a Principal Systems Administrator will be supporting Windows and Linux enterprise environments, responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, patching, and troubleshooting of Windows Server, Windows 11, RHEL 7/8/9, and virtualized infrastructure within a large-scale, mission-critical environment operating 24x7x365.
- Experience with Windows and Linux patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance activities, including STIG/EVAL STIG implementation, SCAP/ACAS support, log collection, and close coordination with Cyber Security teams to maintain continuous compliance with DoD and regulatory requirements.
- Design, deploy, and maintain virtual infrastructure using VMware ESXi and vCenter, including VM lifecycle management, host upgrades, performance tuning, and support of critical production workloads.
- Engineer and sustain enterprise imaging, deployment, and automation solutions, including MECM/SCCM, PXE, Windows imaging, in-place OS upgrades, and scripted software deployment using PowerShell and automation frameworks.
- Administer and support core Windows services and integrations, including Active Directory, Group Policy, secure system configurations, certificate-based authentication, and customized user environments.
- Collaborate across Digital Technology, Engineering, Cyber Security, DevSecOps, Networking, Storage, and Tools teams to resolve complex infrastructure, integration, and compliance challenges, while operating independently with minimal oversight.
- Support both planned and emergent operational needs in a fully on-site DoD closed-area environment, including occasional after-hours support and up to 10% travel as required to meet program objectives.
- Work independently, prioritize competing demands, and execute with minimal direction in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Full time 100% onsite position.
- Must have an interim clearance to start
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Typically, bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
- Able to obtain a U.S. government issued secret security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. Must have an DoD interim clearance to start
- Experience administering and securing Windows and RHEL servers
- Experience with VMware virtualization
- Experience with securing system configurations, system hardening
- Experience with scripting
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Current active a Secret clearance
- Experience serving as a technical SME or primary point of contact for patching, vulnerability remediation, or compliance initiatives.
- Hands-on experience with MECM/SCCM, PXE boot services, OS imaging, and automated software deployment frameworks.
- Familiarity with NetApp storage and/or HPC environments.
- Experience with enterprise Windows services, including Active Directory, Group Policy, and identity integration.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity and compliance tooling, such as ACAS, SCAP, Splunk, STIG Viewer, and audit support processes.
- Experience supporting or integrating with DevSecOps environments, including Kubernetes, Rancher, and artifact repositories.
- Experience with SQL Server, including clustered configurations.
- Prior experience supporting DoD, defense, or highly regulated environments.
Relocation eligible
What We Offer:
Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
Learn More & Apply Now!
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
Privacy Policy and Terms:
Senior Systems Administrator Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSenior Systems Administrator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman15
- General Dynamics Information Technology12
- Peraton11
- Leidos10
- BAE Systems USA10
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software12
- Education6
- Science & Research4
- Electronics & Hardware4
- Aerospace & Defense3
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior systems administrator jobs.
- Five or more years of hands-on systems administration experience in enterprise environments
- Proficiency with Windows Server and Active Directory administration and management
- Experience managing Linux systems including configuration, patching, and user administration
- Hands-on experience with virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere or Hyper-V
- Familiarity with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud infrastructure services
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related technical field
Tips for Your Senior Systems Administrator Job Search
Tailor your resume to each environment
Senior systems administrator roles split sharply between Windows-heavy shops and Linux-dominant ones. Call out your primary OS environment, the hypervisors you've managed, and the scale you've operated at, whether that's a 50-node network or multi-site enterprise infrastructure.
Lead with certifications employers actually require
CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, and Red Hat certifications appear repeatedly in job postings. List active certs near the top of your resume, not buried in a footnotes section, so recruiters confirm your qualifications in the first pass.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior systems administrator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight automation and scripting contributions
Hiring managers for senior roles want proof you've reduced manual work. Name the scripts you've written in PowerShell, Python, or Bash and describe what they automated, whether patch deployment, user provisioning, or monitoring alerts, and the time or error-rate impact.
Prepare a structured answer on a major outage
Almost every senior systems administrator interview includes a question about handling a critical failure under pressure. Rehearse one clear story using a situation-action-result structure, covering how you diagnosed the issue, who you communicated with, and what you changed afterward.
Negotiate on total compensation, not just base
Senior systems administrator offers often include on-call stipends, certification reimbursement, and training budgets that vary widely between employers. Ask explicitly about each component during the offer stage so you're comparing full packages, not base salaries alone.
Senior Systems Administrator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior systems administrators?
The companies hiring the most senior systems administrators right now include Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics Information Technology, and Peraton, with the largest share of openings in Maryland, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Healthcare systems, defense contractors, and large financial institutions consistently maintain some of the highest ongoing demand for this role.
How many senior systems administrator jobs are remote?
About 40% of senior systems administrator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fact that much of the role can be performed through remote management tools and VPN access. Cloud-focused positions and those tied to SaaS or fully virtualized environments tend to offer the highest share of remote or hybrid flexibility, while roles involving on-premises hardware maintenance typically require more on-site presence.
How do you become a senior systems administrator?
Start by building a strong foundation in networking fundamentals, operating systems, and directory services through entry-level administrator or help desk roles. Progress by taking on broader infrastructure ownership, earning vendor certifications in areas like cloud or virtualization, and demonstrating that you can manage environments with minimal supervision. Most employers expect several years of demonstrated hands-on experience before considering a candidate for a senior designation.
Can you get hired as a senior systems administrator without direct experience at that level?
Yes, if you can demonstrate that your current or previous work matches senior-level scope, even without the title. Employers focus on what you've actually managed: the size of the environment, the complexity of the infrastructure, and whether you've owned projects end-to-end. Document specific systems you administered independently, incidents you led, and any mentorship or cross-functional work you handled to make that case clearly on your resume.
What does the senior systems administrator interview process look like?
Most processes include an initial recruiter screen, a technical interview covering OS administration, networking, and scripting concepts, and at least one round with the hiring manager or infrastructure team. Some employers add a practical component where you walk through a scenario or troubleshoot a simulated problem. Final rounds often include a culture or team fit conversation, and the full process typically runs across several weeks.
Where can I find and apply to senior systems administrator jobs?
You can find and apply to senior systems administrator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and preferences, and apply directly to each listing from the same place.
See All 660+ Senior Systems Administrator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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