Systems Administrator / Principal Systems Administrator - Top Secret/SCI (Whidbey Island WA)
Northrop Grumman· enterprise· Defense· Oct 16, 2026 · 11d ago
United States-Washington-Oak Harbor
In office
Full-time
Principal
$143K–$219K est.
3+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Systems Administrator or a Principal Systems Administrator to join the team of qualified individuals in our Systems Engineering Organization. This role is located onsite in Whidbey Island, Washington .
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility . There is no remote work available for this role . Shifts will become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Key Responsibilities:
• Perform as a Windows\VMware System Administrator for a classified government contract.
• Perform as a Linux\Redhat System Administrator for a classified government contract.
• Maintain smooth operation of multi-user computer systems, including coordination with network, software, and system engineers, PC desktop technicians, project managers, end users, and customer and IT management.
• Analyze internal and external customer requirements and determine equipment and software requirements for solutions to problems by means of automated systems.
• Review recommendations and system enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the system including installing, upgrading/patching, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration management.
• Provide backup and recovery services; manage file systems and disk space; manage virus protection on a routine basis.
• Create and maintain user and computer accounts and modify file permissions and security access lists.
• Test new releases of products to ensure compatibility and minimize user impact.
• Develop and document technical processes and procedures as needed.
• Interact, meet, discuss, and troubleshoot issues with vendors; evaluate vendor products, services, and suggestions.
• Adhere to strict Information Systems security guidelines in all cases.
• Maintain security audit and logging information on all classified networked and standalone computers as directed by the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).
• Prepare security documentation for input to Computer Security.
• Report on project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.
• Work under minimal direction and independently determine and develop approach to solutions.
• Learn and assist in functional/operational troubleshooting as well as learn the system operations and troubleshooting fault codes.
Basic Qualifications for Systems Administrator:
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree AND 3 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Master’s degree AND 1 year of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Associate’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., security, cybersecurity) AND 5 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR High school diploma or GED AND 7 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience OR have relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ OR other relevant Industry Certifications AND 5 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have current CompTIA Security + CE, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire date.
• Must have experience managing Windows Server OS and domain architecture.
• Must have the ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Must have the ability to work after hours and weekends as needed.
• Must have an Active US Government Top Secret Clearance with SCI (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain CI .
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) Clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Administrator:
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree AND 6 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Master’s degree AND 4 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR Associate’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., security, cybersecurity) AND 8 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience; OR High school diploma or GED AND 10 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience OR have relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or other relevant Industry Certifications AND 8 years of related professional or military Systems Administration experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have current CompTIA Security + CE, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire date.
• Must have experience managing Windows Server OS and domain architecture.
• Must have the ability to lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Must have the ability to work after hours and weekends as needed.
• Must have the ability to learn and assist in functional/operational troubleshooting as well as the ability to learn the system operations and troubleshooting fault codes.
• Must have an Active US Government Top Secret Clearance with SCI (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain CI .
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) Clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications :
• Experience operating under and managing systems within NISPOM Chapter 8, DCID 6/3-ICD 503, RMF, STIG, JAFAN, or JSIG information system environments.
• Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining computer hardware in a networked environment.
• Server management experience.
• Currently valid Security+ CE, CASP, CISSP or similar security certification.
• Windows domain architecture experience.
• Understanding of basic networking, including subnets, routing, and VLANs; Cisco experience and/or certification.
• Windows AD, LDAP, VMWare, and knowledge of SAN storage systems.
• Linux Operating System experience and/or certification for current versions.
• VMWare experience with current version.
• Rudimentary Scripting experience.
• Experience with the creation and deployment of system images in an enterprise environment. - Experience with Certification & Accreditation process.
• DoD 8570 Certification in a primary OS (Windows, Linux, Cisco).
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, with internal and external customers, in written and oral format.
• Experience operating and managing UAS systems.
#MPR #ASMT
Primary Level Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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