Linux System Administrator – Mid Level (TS/SCI)

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next.  Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.



Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Please review the job details below.

Vantor is currently seeking a Linux System Administrator to join our team. This role will be performed in our Vantor facility located in Herndon, VA.

As a Vantor team member, you will have the opportunity to closely support our mission partners, and your work will have a direct impact on mission imperatives. In this role, you'll work as part of our infrastructure team and you will work closely with our software development DevOps and cybersecurity teams leveraging open-source tools to create and maintain a private cloud and big data platform. Our customers have no shortage of unique and challenging problems to solve, and we are continuing to grow our system footprint to meet their needs.

About Us:

• We are a multi-faceted software development and systems administration team working to build and maintain software applications backed by a self-managed cloud infrastructure with a true big-data footprint (over 10 petabytes).
• Our diverse background of experience in mission support and full stack system development serves as a catalyst to solve unique and challenging intelligence problems in support of special operations analysts and their on-going activities.
• Prototyping and frequent, iterative feedback are core to our delivery approach, anchored by a need to work quickly in support of our missions.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Infrastructure team members focus on several things on any given day including:

• Monitoring and acting on any hardware and software outages on the platform
• Engaging with tenants and users of the OpenStack Cloud Platform via chat services to assist them with troubleshooting and requests as needed
• Implementing cyber security remediations in close cooperation with the cyber security team
• Upgrading and deploying applications on the platform
• Integrating new hardware into multiple different compute clusters
• Reviewing and updating existing procedures and documentation
• Engaging with the team on future hardware planning for system recapitalization and expansion

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen.
• Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance and willingness and ability to get a CI poly
• Willing to work full time on-site, in a SCIF in Herndon, VA
• 8+ years demonstrated experience (5 years with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science) in Linux system administration for RHEL-based Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux).
• Experience with system administration for both physical servers and Virtual Machines
• Certification meeting DoD 8570 / 8140 cybersecurity workforce requirements (e.g., CompTIA Security+, ISC2 SSCP, GIAC GSEC).
• Experience with the configuration and use of server remote access tools such as PuTTY, MobaXTerm, Windows RDP, etc.
• Skilled Tier 3 level support technician with mature troubleshooting skills demonstrated in complex computing environments
• Experience working in and administering virtualization platforms supporting Linux virtual machines (e.g., OpenStack, Proxmox, VMware).
• Experience working in and administering commercial cloud environments supporting Linux workloads (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
• Hands on experience with host endpoint security tools such as: Tenable Nessus, Trellix, Flexera, Carbon Black, ArcSight/CRIBL
• Hands on experience with GitLab for workflow management and source code configuration control
• Ability to be a self-starter
• Ability to adjust quickly to ad-hoc requests
• Ability to support wide range of tasks (upgrade software, patching, monitoring systems, R&D)
• Ability to collaborate and operate effectively in a diverse team covering tasks across the full technology stack
• Ability to balance a mix of team and solo work
• Strong verbal, written, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possesses one or more relevant Linux certifications (e.g., RHCSA, RHCE, LPIC-1/2/3, LFCS).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering or a related field
• Master’s degree in one of the above disciplines (may be counted as up to two years of experience based on candidate qualifications).
• Experience in Linux system administration specifically with Rocky Linux 8, 9 and 10
• Experience understanding and configuring RHEL-based Linux Operating system security settings to comply with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) application to Linux operating systems
• Experience with Python scripting, tool and/or application development
• Experience with Linux distributions outside the RHEL family (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, Kali, Alpine).
• Experience configuring CI/CD pipelines in GitLab
• Experience with tools such as Docker/Podman, and Packer
• Hands on experience with Openstack administration/deployment/upgrades
• Hands on experience with CEPH administration/deployment/upgrades
• Experience with Kubernetes or Nomad orchestration
• Experience deploying, upgrading, and maintaining Big Data software stacks, including components such as Hadoop, HDFS, YARN, and Elasticsearch.
• Experience with the cyber security accreditation process (RMF, ATO process, NIST 800-53 cyber security controls)
• Experience with Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools like GitLab SAST, Sonarqube, Fortify, or similar
• Experience working with GPUs and virtualizing GPU resources

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Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

● The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $102,000.00 - $136,000.00 - $149,600.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.  If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. 

The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.

EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.