Systems Administrator / Principal Systems Administrator - Top Secret (Whidbey Island WA)
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
- Must 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.
- Must have relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or other relevant 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 3 years related Systems Administration experience; OR Master's and 1 year; OR Associate's and 5 years; OR High school/GED and 7 years (Systems Administrator)
- Bachelor's degree and 6 years related Systems Administration experience; OR Master's and 4 years; OR Associate's and 8 years; OR High school/GED and 10 years (Principal Systems Administrator)
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+) and 5 years related experience in lieu of degree (Systems Administrator) or 8 years in lieu of degree (Principal)
- Current CompTIA Security+ CE or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
- Active US Government Top Secret Clearance with SCI (background investigation within last 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Counterintelligence (CI) access
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance in reasonable time
- Experience managing Windows Server OS and domain architecture
- Experience administering Windows/VMware and Linux/Red Hat systems in classified environments
- Ability to lift equipment up to 40 pounds
- Ability to work after hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
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.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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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.







