Senior Systems Administrator Jobs in Virginia
Senior Systems Administrator jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the Mid-Atlantic, concentrated in defense contracting, federal civilian agencies, and the private-sector technology firms that cluster around them, with openings at every level from junior to senior engineer. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads are the dominant hiring hubs, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and General Dynamics Information Technology maintain large, established workforces of systems administrators. The most in-demand specialties are Windows Server and Active Directory management, cloud infrastructure on AWS and Azure, and cybersecurity-adjacent system hardening for cleared environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 63+ Senior Systems Administrator jobs
DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification: IAT II or IAT III.
Computing environment: Server Admin M and Domain Admin Z for a cloud or Microsoft operating system, in accordance with the DLA-approved computing-environment requirement.
Position Summary
Nationwide IT Services, NIS, is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to ensure the stable, secure, and efficient operation of enterprise software systems, network connections, information-management systems, servers, and applications. This is an on-site position and part of a proposal effort.The administrator plans, installs, configures, maintains, supports, and optimizes network software and communications links across multiple locations; resolves complex application and connectivity issues; leads day-to-day system administration; and recommends changes that improve capacity, performance, reliability, security, and alignment with the organization’s business vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Hands-on Windows Server engineering and administration, Active Directory, server builds, monitoring, file services, migrations, patching, Group Policy, hardening, PKI, automation, and security incident response.
- Plan, install, configure, maintain, support, and optimize enterprise server platforms, network software, applications, and communication links.
- Organize and direct the configuration, operation, administration, and sustainment of information-management systems.
- Provide local and remote maintenance support for operational systems deployed at multiple locations, including general maintenance, upgrades, new server installations, and application deployments.
- Analyze and resolve end-user software, system-performance, access, application, and network-connectivity issues.
- Conduct capacity, availability, and performance analyses and recommend system configuration changes, upgrades, resource adjustments, and technology refresh actions.
- Automate recurring system-administration activities through approved tools and scripts to improve administrator efficiency, consistency, and accuracy.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce system-administration procedures, operating guides, configuration documentation, and troubleshooting runbooks.
- Conduct system-administrator training, skills assessments, knowledge transfer, and end-user training.
- Direct and coordinate the work of other system administrators responsible for daily operations, system and resource optimization, user assistance, maintenance, and issue resolution.
- Apply advanced technical knowledge of application networking, load balancing, high availability, redundancy, and fault tolerance.
- Perform vulnerability management, including vulnerability identification, assessment, prioritization, remediation, validation, and reporting.
- Monitor system health, security, utilization, and reliability; investigate incidents; conduct root-cause analysis; and implement corrective actions.
- Recommend technology direction, system architecture, modernization priorities, and infrastructure improvements that support business and mission objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Ten years of specialized experience in information processing involving multiple hardware and software disciplines and a broad range of enterprise technology solutions.
- At least four years of concentrated, hands-on experience installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and resolving issues with enterprise software and related systems.
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a technical discipline.
- Relevant certification from a nationally recognized technical authority.
- Tier 5 investigation and Secret clearance.
- DoD-approved 8570/8140 baseline certification at IAT II or IAT III.
- Applicable DLA-approved computing-environment qualifications for Server Admin M and Domain Admin Z in a cloud or Microsoft operating-system environment. Microsoft Administrator Associate preferred.
- Demonstrated experience administering enterprise servers, applications, network services, user accounts, system resources, and security configurations.
- Experience conducting capacity and performance analysis, system optimization, configuration changes, software upgrades, and new installations.
- Experience leading or directing other system administrators and coordinating operational priorities across multiple systems or locations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of vulnerability management, secure configuration, patching, remediation validation, and system-security practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, customer-service, technical-writing, training, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience automating system-administration and compliance activities with scripts and enterprise-management tools.
- Experience supporting distributed operational systems through both local and remote administration.
- Advanced experience with application networking, load balancing, high availability, redundancy, fault tolerance, and disaster-recovery support.
- Experience developing administrator procedures, delivering technical training, and assessing workforce skills.
Why Join Nationwide IT Services
Nationwide IT Services is a trusted government contractor supporting Department of Defense customers. Join us to work on high-impact cybersecurity missions with experienced professionals in a collaborative, growth-focused environment.Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer match; paid holidays; PTO (sick/vacation); commuter benefits; an employee assistance program (EAP); educational reimbursement; and Pet Insurance.
Salary range $110,000 to $152,000 annually
The salary range is a general guideline. We consider several factors when determining base salary offers, including the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, and current market conditions.
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DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification: IAT II or IAT III.
Computing environment: Server Admin M and Domain Admin Z for a cloud or Microsoft operating system, in accordance with the DLA-approved computing-environment requirement.
Position Summary
Nationwide IT Services, NIS, is seeking a Senior Systems Administrator to ensure the stable, secure, and efficient operation of enterprise software systems, network connections, information-management systems, servers, and applications. This is an on-site position and part of a proposal effort.The administrator plans, installs, configures, maintains, supports, and optimizes network software and communications links across multiple locations; resolves complex application and connectivity issues; leads day-to-day system administration; and recommends changes that improve capacity, performance, reliability, security, and alignment with the organization’s business vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Hands-on Windows Server engineering and administration, Active Directory, server builds, monitoring, file services, migrations, patching, Group Policy, hardening, PKI, automation, and security incident response.
- Plan, install, configure, maintain, support, and optimize enterprise server platforms, network software, applications, and communication links.
- Organize and direct the configuration, operation, administration, and sustainment of information-management systems.
- Provide local and remote maintenance support for operational systems deployed at multiple locations, including general maintenance, upgrades, new server installations, and application deployments.
- Analyze and resolve end-user software, system-performance, access, application, and network-connectivity issues.
- Conduct capacity, availability, and performance analyses and recommend system configuration changes, upgrades, resource adjustments, and technology refresh actions.
- Automate recurring system-administration activities through approved tools and scripts to improve administrator efficiency, consistency, and accuracy.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce system-administration procedures, operating guides, configuration documentation, and troubleshooting runbooks.
- Conduct system-administrator training, skills assessments, knowledge transfer, and end-user training.
- Direct and coordinate the work of other system administrators responsible for daily operations, system and resource optimization, user assistance, maintenance, and issue resolution.
- Apply advanced technical knowledge of application networking, load balancing, high availability, redundancy, and fault tolerance.
- Perform vulnerability management, including vulnerability identification, assessment, prioritization, remediation, validation, and reporting.
- Monitor system health, security, utilization, and reliability; investigate incidents; conduct root-cause analysis; and implement corrective actions.
- Recommend technology direction, system architecture, modernization priorities, and infrastructure improvements that support business and mission objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Ten years of specialized experience in information processing involving multiple hardware and software disciplines and a broad range of enterprise technology solutions.
- At least four years of concentrated, hands-on experience installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and resolving issues with enterprise software and related systems.
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a technical discipline.
- Relevant certification from a nationally recognized technical authority.
- Tier 5 investigation and Secret clearance.
- DoD-approved 8570/8140 baseline certification at IAT II or IAT III.
- Applicable DLA-approved computing-environment qualifications for Server Admin M and Domain Admin Z in a cloud or Microsoft operating-system environment. Microsoft Administrator Associate preferred.
- Demonstrated experience administering enterprise servers, applications, network services, user accounts, system resources, and security configurations.
- Experience conducting capacity and performance analysis, system optimization, configuration changes, software upgrades, and new installations.
- Experience leading or directing other system administrators and coordinating operational priorities across multiple systems or locations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of vulnerability management, secure configuration, patching, remediation validation, and system-security practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, customer-service, technical-writing, training, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience automating system-administration and compliance activities with scripts and enterprise-management tools.
- Experience supporting distributed operational systems through both local and remote administration.
- Advanced experience with application networking, load balancing, high availability, redundancy, fault tolerance, and disaster-recovery support.
- Experience developing administrator procedures, delivering technical training, and assessing workforce skills.
Why Join Nationwide IT Services
Nationwide IT Services is a trusted government contractor supporting Department of Defense customers. Join us to work on high-impact cybersecurity missions with experienced professionals in a collaborative, growth-focused environment.Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer match; paid holidays; PTO (sick/vacation); commuter benefits; an employee assistance program (EAP); educational reimbursement; and Pet Insurance.
Salary range $110,000 to $152,000 annually
The salary range is a general guideline. We consider several factors when determining base salary offers, including the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, and current market conditions.
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See All 63 Senior Systems Administrator Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Systems Administrator Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Systems Administrator Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior systems administrator jobs across Virginia.
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility, required across many Northern Virginia federal contracts
- Five or more years managing Windows Server, Active Directory, and Group Policy in enterprise environments
- Experience with virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V at scale
- Proficiency in scripting and automation using PowerShell, Bash, or Python for systems management
- Hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure in AWS, Azure, or hybrid on-premises environments
- Industry certifications such as CompTIA Security Plus, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, or RHCE
Senior Systems Administrator Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior systems administrator in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a senior systems administrator, so the path runs through education, certifications, and clearance. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field, though an associate degree paired with strong certifications is accepted in many shops. Earning CompTIA Security Plus, Microsoft certifications, or a Red Hat credential signals readiness for senior roles, and obtaining a DoD security clearance dramatically expands opportunity across Northern Virginia's dense federal contractor market.
How much do senior systems administrators make in Virginia?
Senior systems administrators in Virginia earn a median of about $109,610 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,580 for the lowest 10% to over $170,110 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior systems administrators in Virginia?
Employers hiring senior systems administrators in Virginia right now include The Tatitlek Corporation, CACI International, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's federal contracting ecosystem means many of the most consistent openings come from large defense and IT services firms holding long-term government contracts across Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor.
Which Virginia cities have the most senior systems administrator jobs?
Dahlgren, Arlington, and Reston account for the largest share of senior systems administrator openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of the concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and data centers in Fairfax, Tysons, and Reston, while Richmond draws from state government agencies and regional financial institutions, and Hampton Roads openings are largely tied to Naval Station Norfolk and the defense suppliers supporting it.
Are there remote senior systems administrator jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many IT roles, though hands-on infrastructure work still requires on-site presence for a significant share of positions. About 38% of senior systems administrator openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work can be done over secure remote access. Cloud administration, monitoring, and scripting-heavy responsibilities are the functions most likely to appear in fully remote postings.
How can I get hired as a senior systems administrator in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a help-desk or IT support role at one of Virginia's large federal contractors or state agencies, which consistently hire at the junior level and promote from within. Employers like Leidos and Booz Allen Hamilton run associate and early-career IT programs that move candidates from desktop support into systems administration. Earning CompTIA A Plus and Network Plus before applying, and pursuing a DoD security clearance as early as possible, gives candidates a concrete edge over others without a formal administration background.
Where can I find and apply to senior systems administrator jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to senior systems administrator jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the available roles, identify the positions that match your experience and clearance level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 63 Senior Systems Administrator Jobs in Virginia
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