Section Supervisor – Classified IT Systems Administration (Senior Tier 3 SME)

Description

Are you an accomplished senior systems administrator who also enjoys leading people and services? Do you have deep experience supporting classified environments—and the desire to guide others while remaining “hands on keyboard” a lot of the time?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a Section Supervisor – Classified IT Systems Administration who will function as a senior Tier 3 hands‑on systems administrator and technical lead, with supervisory responsibilities—leadership, mentoring, and service management—embedded in daily technical work. This blended role requires deep technical expertise and broad leadership to deliver secure, reliable, and innovative IT solutions for critically important programs.

In this role, you will:

• Act as the senior Tier 3 point of contact for complex system administration issues related to operating systems, virtualization platforms, HPC clusters, cross domain integrations, and multi-site secure networks.
• Build, implement, and maintain robust technical solutions that meet or exceed regulatory security standards.
• Lead technical problem-solving, root cause analysis, and remediation of critical incidents, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Automate build, configuration, and compliance activities using scripting or infrastructure as code where practical.
• Develop and maintain detailed user documentation, runbooks, and lifecycle plans.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of systems administrators, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture of premier IT service delivery.
• Manage staff alignment to work, maintaining positive quality of life to work ratios and hiring when necessary.
• Apply ITIL aligned service management and sound project management practices to prioritize work, manage backlogs, and meet service level objectives.
• Coordinate technology roadmaps and major upgrades, balancing operational risk with mission needs.
• Communicate complex technical and service information to sponsors, users, and senior leadership in clear, actionable terms.
• Champion continuous improvement—encouraging innovation, acknowledging “noble failures,” and refining processes based on lessons learned.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Have 8+ years of experience working in secure facilties as a systems administrator.
• Have 4+ years of experience working with the government or IC as a systems administrator or team lead.
• Are skilled in Linux Operating Systems, HPC or Machine Learning, Basic Networking, Advanced troubleshooting, technical and non-technical leadership, IT engineering, and NIST RMF.
• Are willing and able to work onsite 5-days per week, lift and move IT equipment (e.g. servers), and maintain expert level knowledge in one or two key areas.
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI+poly level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Possess a MS in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or 12+ years of equivalent experience.
• Bring 8+ years senior system administration experience and 8 + years leading technical teams.
• Hold advanced certifications such as ITIL 4 Managing Professional, ITIL v3 Expert, or PMI PMP.
• Have deep expertise with DevSecOps pipelines, large hybrid Windows/Linux enclaves, or HPC environments of 100 + nodes.
• Demonstrate proven success managing IT compliance with complex regulatory requirements.
• Have guided multi-phase IT infrastructure projects from conception through operational hand off.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$275,000 Annually