Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a qualified Linux Systems Administrator to join its dynamic team of technical professionals in Beavercreek, OH. This role supports the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. NASIC is responsible for creating all-source intelligence defining the present and future air, air defense, cyber, space and ballistic missile threats to enable military operations, force modernization, and policy making.
Please note that the selected candidate will be required to work on-site, full-time – this is not a remote work opportunity. Roles and responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:
- Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization with internal and external customers, in written and verbal format.
- Maintain smooth operation of multi-user computer systems, including coordination with network, software, and system engineers, project managers, end users, and customer and IT management.
- Support networks and ensure necessary administration tasks are completed.
- Analyze internal and external customer requirements, and provide potential solutions based on standard hardware and software.
- Recommend and implement system enhancements to improve performance and reliability of system, including installing, upgrading/patching, monitoring, problem resolution, and configuration management.
- Provide backup and recovery services, manage file systems and disk space, and manage virus protection on a routine basis.
- Create and maintain user and computer accounts and modify file permissions and security access lists.
- Adhere to Information Systems security guidelines.
- Test new releases of products to ensure compatibility and minimize user impact.
- Develop and document technical processes and procedures as needed.
- Make recommendations to purchase hardware, software, and system components.
- Interact, meet, discuss, and troubleshoot issues with vendors; evaluate vendor products, services, and suggestions.
- Report project status as required for all recurring and non-recurring efforts.
- Work under minimal direction and independently determine and develop approach to solutions.
This position may be filled as a level 2 or 3 based on the below qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
- Systems Administrator (Level 2): High school diploma or GED equivalent with 6 years relevant experience OR a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 2 years of related experience
- Principal Systems Administrator (Level 3): High school diploma or GED equivalent with 9 years relevant experience OR a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience OR a master’s degree with 3 years of related experience
- Must have a secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance with Compartmented Information security clearance (TS/SCI)
- Have or obtain IAT Level II certification such as SecurityX (formerly CASP+) or Security+ within 6 months
- Minimum of three years of experience administering and securing server infrastructures in enterprise or government environments, including virtualization, Active Directory management, and DoD STIG/JSIG-aligned hardening and patch management.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with IT process automation using Ansible and similar tools.
- Experience with Docker and Podman containerization, installation, and configuration.
- Scripting experience using tools such as Python, Bash, PowerShell.
- Experience operating under and managing systems within RMF or STIG information system environments.
- Experience with DevOps architecture leveraging automation, containerization, and GitOps, using GitLab/Jenkins/ArgoCD for CI/CD, Kubernetes (K8s) for orchestration, Istio for service mesh, and Nexus/Harbor for artifact repositories.
- Understanding of basic networking, including subnets, routing, and VLANs.
- Knowledge of environmental monitoring tools (Splunk/Nagios).
#PWRTA3
Primary Level Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00The 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Must hold an active Secret clearance and be able to obtain Top Secret/SCI
- U.S. Citizenship required for positions with government clearance
- On-site full-time work at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH
- IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ or CASP+/SecurityX) or obtain within 6 months
- Minimum of three years administering and securing server infrastructures in enterprise or government environments, including virtualization, Active Directory, STIG/JSIG hardening, and patch management
- Education/experience combinations: Level 2: HS/GED +6 years OR Bachelor's (STEM) +2 years; Level 3: HS/GED +9 years OR Bachelor's (STEM) +5 years OR Master's +3 years
- Experience with IT process automation using Ansible
- Experience with Docker and Podman containerization, installation, and configuration
- Scripting experience using Python, Bash, or PowerShell
- Experience operating and managing systems within RMF or STIG information system environments
- Experience with DevOps tooling and CI/CD: GitLab, Jenkins, ArgoCD, GitOps, Kubernetes, Istio, Nexus, Harbor
- Understanding of basic networking (subnets, routing, VLANs)
- Knowledge of environmental/monitoring tools such as Splunk or Nagios
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
-
Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.






