Job Title: Senior Systems Administrator (Linux)
Location: Fairmont, West Virginia OR Boulder, Colorado
Security Clearance: Active Security Clearance Required
Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Employer: Bay Systems Consulting Inc.
Salary: Open

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a leading U.S. government agency dedicated to understanding and predicting changes in the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and coastal environments. Through cutting-edge research, operational monitoring, and resource stewardship, NOAA plays a vital role in public safety, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability.

Bay Systems Consulting Inc. is seeking a highly qualified Senior Systems Administrator (Linux) to support NOAA’s scientific and operational IT infrastructure. The selected candidate will be responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining complex Linux-based systems in a secure and mission-critical environment. This role requires advanced system administration skills, the ability to lead and mentor others, and a strong understanding of system security, data integrity, and compliance requirements.

• Install and configure new software releases and system upgrades for Linux-based environments.
• Evaluate, test, and apply patches and updates to ensure system stability and security compliance.
• Perform routine system backups, implement recovery procedures, and ensure continuity of operations.
• Maintain and manage complex data files, directory structures, and control procedures for networked environments.
• Monitor system performance, storage, and resource utilization to optimize operations and minimize downtime.
• Ensure system and data security, including managing user accounts, passwords, permissions, and audit trails.
• Respond to and resolve software and hardware-related issues in a timely manner.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior systems administrators and support personnel.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including cybersecurity, networking, and application development to support mission objectives.
• Generate system documentation and contribute to standard operating procedures.
• Support management requests for system reports, configurations, and performance data.
• Execute assigned tasks with a degree of creativity and latitude under general supervision.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 6–8 years of relevant professional experience in Linux systems administration, preferably in a secure federal or research environment.
• In-depth knowledge of Linux operating systems (e.g., RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu), system utilities, scripting, and command-line tools.
• Strong understanding of system security principles, including experience with STIGs, hardening, and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, FISMA).
• Experience with system monitoring tools, backup solutions, and high-availability configurations.
• Familiarity with configuration management tools such as Ansible or Puppet is a plus.
• Ability to manage user authentication, file permissions, and system-level access controls.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience writing technical documentation.
• Security Clearance: Must hold an active U.S. government security clearance.

• Certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), CompTIA Linux+, or LPIC-2.
• Experience supporting mission-critical operations within federal or scientific environments.
• Familiarity with virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, KVM) and cloud technologies.
• Knowledge of enterprise backup, disaster recovery, and storage systems.

Bay Systems Consulting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply.