System Administrator Jobs in San Diego, CA
System Administrator jobs in San Diego are in steady demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the UTC corridor across defense contracting, biotech, cybersecurity, and managed IT services. Employers hiring right now include Saalex, PMAT, and SAIC. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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At PMAT, we work on mission critical systems that directly support the warfighter, designing, building, and securing modern digital capabilities across cloud, data, and software environments. Our teams tackle complex, real-world challenges where delivery matters more than theory, and innovation is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
In this role, you’ll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture (NOA), working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward-leaning solutions in support of national defense.
About the role: PMAT is seeking an experienced System Administrator II to support the administration, maintenance, and security of Navy enterprise IT environments across NIPR, SIPR, and Coalition networks. This mid-level role encompasses system and user account administration, workstation and software support, technical troubleshooting, cybersecurity compliance, and coordination with NAVWAR IT Operations, Field Services, and Network Services. The candidate will work closely with system administrators, cybersecurity engineers, infrastructure teams, and operational stakeholders to resolve technical issues, manage access requirements, maintain system availability, and support secure and reliable IT operations. The role requires strong technical problem-solving skills, familiarity with Navy enterprise support tools and Information Assurance processes, and the ability to independently manage technical support activities while collaborating across multiple teams.
Responsibilities:
- Provide helpdesk and end-user support by responding to technical issues, troubleshooting user problems, documenting resolutions, and escalating complex issues to system administrators, cybersecurity engineers, or other technical teams as needed.
- Support workstation, laptop, peripheral, printer, mobile device, and software troubleshooting by assisting with installation, configuration, updates, connectivity, and general maintenance activities.
- Assist with user account administration by supporting account creation, access requests, password resets, group membership updates, permissions changes, and access control coordination in accordance with approved processes.
- Support ticket management activities by creating, updating, tracking, prioritizing, and closing support tickets while maintaining clear documentation of user issues, actions taken, and final resolutions.
- Assist with system administration tasks by supporting patching, software updates, endpoint configuration, inventory tracking, license tracking, hardware refresh planning, and End-of-Life documentation.
- Support cybersecurity and compliance activities by assisting with vulnerability remediation, endpoint security checks, system hardening actions, security awareness, and documentation needed to maintain secure operating environments.
- Coordinate with system administrators, cyber engineers, infrastructure teams, and end users to resolve technical issues, communicate status, and ensure support actions are completed in a timely and organized manner.
- Maintain accurate technical documentation, troubleshooting procedures, user guides, asset records, and knowledge base articles to improve helpdesk efficiency and support continuity across the team.
About Us: PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward-leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission's capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis.
We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission-centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.
Whether you’re an experienced engineer or just beginning your career, you’ll work alongside experts who are committed to solving mission-critical problems. If you’re passionate about using your skills to make a real difference, apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future of defense technology!
Required Skills and Experience:
- Experience with NMCI Enterprise Tool (NET), NMCI Enterprise Service Tools (NEST), and Naval Identity Services (NIS) application to manage account roles.
- Familiarity with Field Services, NAVWAR IT Operations, and Network Services at SPOT for support on NIPR/SIPR and Coalition Accounts.
- Knowledgeable with SAAR-N and CMAR requirements for Information Assurance Compliance.
- Some experience providing helpdesk support, IT support, desktop support, systems support, customer technical support, or related technical assistance.
- Some experience troubleshooting Windows workstations, common software applications, user accounts, network connectivity, peripherals, printers, or endpoint devices.
- Basic understanding of user account administration, access management, password resets, permissions, Active Directory concepts, or similar identity management processes.
- Familiarity with ticketing systems, issue tracking, service desk workflows, documentation practices, or helpdesk escalation processes.
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity, endpoint security, patching, secure configuration, vulnerability remediation, and safe handling of user or system access.
- Strong problem-solving, organization, time management, and customer service skills in a fast-moving technical support environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to users, administrators, cybersecurity personnel, and program stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative technical team while learning new systems, tools, processes, and security requirements.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Experience supporting government, Navy, military, Department of War, or other compliance-driven IT environments.
- Understanding of Video teleconferencing(VTC), Global Video Services (GVS), and SMART Board functions.
- Experience using enterprise ticketing or collaboration tools such as Jira, ServiceNow, Remedy, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, M365, or similar platforms.
- Familiarity with Windows Server, Linux command line, virtualization, VPNs, remote desktop tools, endpoint management tools, or enterprise monitoring platforms.
- Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Azure, Intune, Active Directory, Group Policy, GCC High, or similar enterprise services.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity tools and processes such as vulnerability scanning, ACAS, Nessus, endpoint security tools, HBSS, patch tracking, or remediation documentation.
- Experience assisting with hardware and software inventories, license tracking, asset management, imaging, workstation deployment, or hardware refresh activities.
- Familiarity with basic networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, ports, firewalls, routing, and network troubleshooting.
- Interest in growing into system administration, cybersecurity engineering, cloud infrastructure, tactical systems support, or other technical infrastructure roles.
Education and Certification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience
- Current Security+ certification is a plus
Citizenship and Clearance Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship required
- No dual citizenship
- SECRET security clearance required
Location/Address:
- 100% On-site
- San Diego, CA, NAVWAR
Travel & Passport: 5%, CONUS and OCONUS
Work Environment: PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.
PMAT is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.
At PMAT, we work on mission critical systems that directly support the warfighter, designing, building, and securing modern digital capabilities across cloud, data, and software environments. Our teams tackle complex, real-world challenges where delivery matters more than theory, and innovation is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
In this role, you’ll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture (NOA), working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward-leaning solutions in support of national defense.
About the role: PMAT is seeking an experienced System Administrator II to support the administration, maintenance, and security of Navy enterprise IT environments across NIPR, SIPR, and Coalition networks. This mid-level role encompasses system and user account administration, workstation and software support, technical troubleshooting, cybersecurity compliance, and coordination with NAVWAR IT Operations, Field Services, and Network Services. The candidate will work closely with system administrators, cybersecurity engineers, infrastructure teams, and operational stakeholders to resolve technical issues, manage access requirements, maintain system availability, and support secure and reliable IT operations. The role requires strong technical problem-solving skills, familiarity with Navy enterprise support tools and Information Assurance processes, and the ability to independently manage technical support activities while collaborating across multiple teams.
Responsibilities:
- Provide helpdesk and end-user support by responding to technical issues, troubleshooting user problems, documenting resolutions, and escalating complex issues to system administrators, cybersecurity engineers, or other technical teams as needed.
- Support workstation, laptop, peripheral, printer, mobile device, and software troubleshooting by assisting with installation, configuration, updates, connectivity, and general maintenance activities.
- Assist with user account administration by supporting account creation, access requests, password resets, group membership updates, permissions changes, and access control coordination in accordance with approved processes.
- Support ticket management activities by creating, updating, tracking, prioritizing, and closing support tickets while maintaining clear documentation of user issues, actions taken, and final resolutions.
- Assist with system administration tasks by supporting patching, software updates, endpoint configuration, inventory tracking, license tracking, hardware refresh planning, and End-of-Life documentation.
- Support cybersecurity and compliance activities by assisting with vulnerability remediation, endpoint security checks, system hardening actions, security awareness, and documentation needed to maintain secure operating environments.
- Coordinate with system administrators, cyber engineers, infrastructure teams, and end users to resolve technical issues, communicate status, and ensure support actions are completed in a timely and organized manner.
- Maintain accurate technical documentation, troubleshooting procedures, user guides, asset records, and knowledge base articles to improve helpdesk efficiency and support continuity across the team.
About Us: PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward-leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission's capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis.
We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission-centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.
Whether you’re an experienced engineer or just beginning your career, you’ll work alongside experts who are committed to solving mission-critical problems. If you’re passionate about using your skills to make a real difference, apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future of defense technology!
Required Skills and Experience:
- Experience with NMCI Enterprise Tool (NET), NMCI Enterprise Service Tools (NEST), and Naval Identity Services (NIS) application to manage account roles.
- Familiarity with Field Services, NAVWAR IT Operations, and Network Services at SPOT for support on NIPR/SIPR and Coalition Accounts.
- Knowledgeable with SAAR-N and CMAR requirements for Information Assurance Compliance.
- Some experience providing helpdesk support, IT support, desktop support, systems support, customer technical support, or related technical assistance.
- Some experience troubleshooting Windows workstations, common software applications, user accounts, network connectivity, peripherals, printers, or endpoint devices.
- Basic understanding of user account administration, access management, password resets, permissions, Active Directory concepts, or similar identity management processes.
- Familiarity with ticketing systems, issue tracking, service desk workflows, documentation practices, or helpdesk escalation processes.
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity, endpoint security, patching, secure configuration, vulnerability remediation, and safe handling of user or system access.
- Strong problem-solving, organization, time management, and customer service skills in a fast-moving technical support environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to users, administrators, cybersecurity personnel, and program stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative technical team while learning new systems, tools, processes, and security requirements.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Experience supporting government, Navy, military, Department of War, or other compliance-driven IT environments.
- Understanding of Video teleconferencing(VTC), Global Video Services (GVS), and SMART Board functions.
- Experience using enterprise ticketing or collaboration tools such as Jira, ServiceNow, Remedy, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, M365, or similar platforms.
- Familiarity with Windows Server, Linux command line, virtualization, VPNs, remote desktop tools, endpoint management tools, or enterprise monitoring platforms.
- Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Azure, Intune, Active Directory, Group Policy, GCC High, or similar enterprise services.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity tools and processes such as vulnerability scanning, ACAS, Nessus, endpoint security tools, HBSS, patch tracking, or remediation documentation.
- Experience assisting with hardware and software inventories, license tracking, asset management, imaging, workstation deployment, or hardware refresh activities.
- Familiarity with basic networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, ports, firewalls, routing, and network troubleshooting.
- Interest in growing into system administration, cybersecurity engineering, cloud infrastructure, tactical systems support, or other technical infrastructure roles.
Education and Certification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience
- Current Security+ certification is a plus
Citizenship and Clearance Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship required
- No dual citizenship
- SECRET security clearance required
Location/Address:
- 100% On-site
- San Diego, CA, NAVWAR
Travel & Passport: 5%, CONUS and OCONUS
Work Environment: PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.
PMAT is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.
See All 66 System Administrator Jobs in San Diego
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Find System Administrator JobsSystem Administrator Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Saalex26
- PMAT13
- SAIC7
- Scripps Research7
- The Marlin Alliance7
System Administrator Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a system administrator job in San Diego?
Start by targeting San Diego's strongest hiring sectors: defense contractors in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley, biotech and life sciences firms in Torrey Pines, and managed service providers citywide. Experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, and network administration travels well here. Candidates who also hold certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Microsoft MCSA stand out in a market where defense and healthcare clients require demonstrated security competency.
Which companies hire system administrators in San Diego?
Employers hiring system administrators in San Diego right now include Saalex, PMAT, and SAIC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's employer mix leans heavily toward defense primes, biotech firms, and regional managed service providers, many of which maintain dedicated IT infrastructure teams with ongoing system administrator needs.
Are there remote system administrator jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though system administrator roles are less remote-friendly than purely analytical positions because hands-on server, network, and hardware support often requires on-site presence. About 0% of system administrator openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with cloud administration, monitoring, and helpdesk escalation tasks most commonly performed off-site.
How can I get a system administrator job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through a helpdesk or IT support role at a managed service provider or a mid-size biotech company, both of which hire entry-level candidates regularly. San Diego's community colleges and UCSD Extension offer IT programs that carry weight with local employers. Moving from tier-one support into junior sysadmin work at a smaller defense subcontractor or startup in the Miramar or Kearny Mesa corridor is a common local progression.
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