Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Systems Administrator to be part of our Security team and based out of our San Diego, CA location.
- All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
- This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 5 days in office, based out of our San Diego, CA location.
Key Responsibilities
- System Administration: Install, configure, secure, maintain, and troubleshoot RHEL 8/9, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems across physical and virtual environments.
- Infrastructure Management: Administer VMware vSphere environments including ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, and supporting virtual infrastructure components.
- System Maintenance: Perform system patching, software updates, firmware maintenance, and lifecycle management activities across Linux, Windows, VMware, and Cisco infrastructure.
- Secure Configuration & Compliance: Implement and maintain DISA STIGs, security baselines, and hardened configurations using tools such as STIG Viewer, Evaluate-STIG, and SCAP Compliance Checker (SCC).
- Vulnerability Management: Conduct Tenable/ACAS vulnerability scans, analyze findings, and implement remediation activities including patches, configuration changes, and compensating controls.
- RMF & Continuous Monitoring: Support RMF and A&A activities including eMASS updates, security control validation, audit readiness, and continuous monitoring efforts.
- Access Control Management: Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls in accordance with security policies and least-privilege principles.
- Troubleshooting & Operational Support: Provide Tier 2/3 support for complex system, virtualization, and infrastructure issues including outages, performance degradation, and configuration problems.
- Automation & Scripting: Develop and maintain automation scripts and workflows using Bash, Python, PowerCLI, Ansible, or similar technologies to improve operational efficiency and consistency.
- Security Tool Administration: Install, configure, and maintain security and monitoring tools supporting system protection, vulnerability management, and operational visibility.
- Collaboration & Documentation: Coordinate with engineering, cybersecurity, and operations teams while maintaining accurate system documentation, remediation tracking, and compliance artifacts.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of systems administration, infrastructure support, cybersecurity, or related experience within enterprise or DoD environments.
- Security+ CE certification or equivalent IAT/IAM Level I or II certification in accordance with DoD 8140/8570 requirements.
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time as needed.
- Strong experience administering and troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Windows enterprise environments.
- Experience managing VMware vSphere environments including ESXi, vCenter, Hyper-V, or similar virtualization technologies.
- Experience with vulnerability scanning, remediation, and continuous monitoring using Tenable Security Center, Nessus, ACAS, or similar security tools.
- Experience implementing DISA STIGs, system hardening, endpoint protection, and maintaining compliance within regulated or closed network environments.
- Experience developing automation scripts using Bash, Python, PowerShell, or similar scripting languages.
- Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, VLANs, DHCP, routing, switching, and network troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with RMF, eMASS, ATO processes, backup and disaster recovery operations, and DoD compliance requirements.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across engineering, cybersecurity, and operational teams.
- Self-motivated professional with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, systems, and technical efforts simultaneously in fast-paced or mission-critical environments with minimal supervision.
- Experience administering and securing containerized environments using Docker, Kubernetes, or similar container orchestration platforms.
- Experience with infrastructure automation and configuration management tools such as Ansible, PowerShell, Chef, Salt, Puppet, or similar technologies.
- Familiarity with software deployment and systems management tools such as PDQ Deploy or equivalent solutions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, cybersecurity, and operational teams.
Pay Range*: $90,000- 150,000
*Pursuant to California Senate Bill 1162, IDT is required to disclose the “pay scale” or “pay range” associated with a job posting. Notably, however, this amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. Click here for additional information about Senate Bill 1162. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.
Job Benefits
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
- Generous benefits package
- Competitive PTO
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
- 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
- Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
- Professional Development Resources
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
- Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
- Annual Employee Recognition Awards
- Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches
About
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is a leading defense technology company focused on rapidly delivering mission-critical software and systems solutions to the U.S. government. The company specializes in automation, digital engineering, and enabling the rapid integration of advanced capabilities into complex weapon and combat systems. These essential solutions empower the warfighter to field, operate, and sustain decisive capability at speed and scale. At IDT, our employees are developing advanced mission-critical outcomes by consistently delivering high-quality results, fostering innovation, applying rigorous problem-solving, and effectively collaborating across multifaceted teams and stakeholders. Grounded in these competencies, IDT translates complex customer priorities into robust software solutions.
Skills Required
- Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance
- On-site work in San Diego, CA (5 days per week)
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years systems administration, infrastructure support, or cybersecurity experience in enterprise or DoD environments
- Security+ CE or equivalent IAT/IAM Level I or II certification per DoD 8140/8570
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Windows enterprise environments
- Experience managing VMware vSphere environments (ESXi, vCenter) or Hyper-V
- Experience with vulnerability scanning and remediation using Tenable/Nessus/ACAS or similar tools
- Experience implementing DISA STIGs, system hardening, and compliance using STIG Viewer, Evaluate-STIG, SCAP Compliance Checker
- Ability to develop automation scripts and workflows using Bash, Python, PowerShell, PowerCLI, or similar
- Strong networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, VLANs, DHCP, routing, switching, and network troubleshooting
- Familiarity with RMF, eMASS, ATO processes, backup and disaster recovery operations, and DoD compliance requirements
- Ability to travel up to 20% as needed
- Experience administering and securing containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Experience with infrastructure automation/configuration management (Ansible, Chef, Puppet, Salt, or similar)
- Familiarity with software deployment/systems management tools such as PDQ Deploy
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills; ability to coordinate across teams
What We Do
WHO WE ARE Innovative Defense Technologies -IDT- provides automated software testing, data analysis, and cybersecurity solutions for the DOD's mission-critical systems. Using patented Automated Test and ReTest (ATRT) technology, we support the entire software testing lifecycle from component testing, to system integration and testing, to the analysis of results. Our automated test and analysis solutions enable the rapid update and delivery of large, complex systems. Our technologies offer: -Rapid system configuration assessment and validation -Repeatable, consistent testing, analysis and reporting -On-demand regression tests in response to cyber threats -Statistical rigor in test and analysis -Reduced time and manpower At IDT, we work closely with our customers to tailor our products to support their systems and meet their goals. IDT has the expertise, strategies and processes in place to provide an automated solution for your next project. Let us help you dramatically accelerate test execution time, expand test coverage and improve software quality. OUR MISSION Our mission is to enable new software capabilities to be fielded faster and more affordably by reducing the amount of time and the cost spent on software testing. Through the use of our software testing technology, IDT is changing the way testing is being done for large, complex, software systems.








