Peraton is seeking a Systems Administrator, Advisor (Engineer, Virtualization Systems) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals.

This candidate will be responsible for the design, configuration, deployment, integration, and maintenance and support of server virtualization and server infrastructure solutions. They will be a subject matter expert and consult USPS on best practices for server virtualizations solutions and make recommendations. The server virtualization resource specializes in building and managing virtual computing platforms. They will also play a critical role in data migration, virtual machine lifecycle management, troubleshooting, tuning and performance, and monitoring of the environment.

Highly specialized in one or more phases of software systems development, systems integration, or network engineering. Provides technical assistance and advice on complex activities. Formulates / defines specifications, develops / modifies / maintains complex systems and subsystems, using vendor engineering releases and utilities for overall operational systems. Applies analytical techniques when gathering information from users, defining work problems, designing technology solutions, and developing procedures to resolve the problems. Develops complete specifications to enable computer programmers to prepare required programs. Analyzes methods of approach. Reviews task proposal requirements, gathers information, analyzes data, prepares project synopses, compares alternatives, prepares specifications, resolves processing problems, coordinates work with programmers and engineers, and orients users to new systems. Works with considerable freedom to make decisions on the techniques and approaches to be used. Prepares recommendations for system improvement for management and user consideration.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Architect and design server virtualization solutions
• Perform systems administration for Windows Server and UNIX / Linux systems such as RHEL and SLES
• Develop automation through scripting and APIs (Ansible, Puppet, Chef, PowerShell, Python, Bash, Terraform)
• Perform certificate lifecycle management for systems and applications
• Evaluate inefficiencies with server resources and make right-sizing recommendations
• Manage and maintain server virtualization platform on premise as well as cloud e.g. VMware, Nutanix, Harvester, OpenShift, Proxmox, Azure, AWS, GCP
• Play a lead role in meetings relating to specific technical projects or tasks
• May lead project teams within assigned unit develop, plan and manage project tasks
• Participate in the preparation of materials and oral presentations for customers and management
• Respond promptly to incidents in ServiceNow
• Will be assigned responsibility for advanced technical issues in the environment for problem resolution
• Diagnose and repair system problems working closely with vendor support for all servers, software and other hardware directly or with the team members
• Define, monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot system performance of all server virtualization and other related infrastructure systems
• Ability to develop and maintain IT documentation
• Independently analyzes and develops innovative resolutions for complex problems involving availability and/or performance at the component level. Works with vendors to resolve problems and, implements solutions independently
• Leads project teams within assigned unit. Develops, plans, and manages project tasks
• Provides training to less experienced team members of the IS department
• Will make registry edits
• Typically performs all functional duties independently

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD or 12+ years of relevant work experience can be used in lieu of a degree
• Minimum of 8-12 years’ experience, in supporting virtualization technologies preferred
• Basic understanding of data center networking (TCP/IP, switching/routing, ports and protocols, firewall concepts, load-balancing)
• Strong, demonstrable scripting experience in one or more of the following: PowerShell, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, VBScript, C++, Unix Shell, Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, etc.
• Basic understanding of storage protocols (e.g. NFS, SMB, S3, FC, iSCSI, NVMe)
• Good knowledge of Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Group Policy
• Knowledge of MS Windows Server operating systems including Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 as well as RHEL and SLES operating systems
• Knowledge of MS database server SQL Server 2008 R2 and later
• Knowledge of container technologies including but not limited to Docker, Kubernetes, and Rancher
• Knowledge of IaaS in cloud using MS Azure, AWS, or GCP
• Must be able to obtain a Position of Public Trust Clearance
• All candidates must be a US Citizen or have permanent residence status (Green Card)
• Cannot have more than 6 months travel outside the United States within the last five years, Military Service excluded
• Must be local to Eagan, MN or Raleigh, NC - this is not a remote opportunity

Preferred Qualifications:

• A current VMware, Nutanix, or similar Certification e.g. VCP, NCP, etc.
• Strong background in server virtualization e.g. VMware, Nutanix, OpenShift, Harvester, Proxmox, MS Hyper-V, Citrix, Azure, AWS, etc.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Experience with Terraform or Ansible
• Experience with Dell PowerFlex
• Experience working in a large enterprise environment
• Knowledge of storage area networks to include network operating systems, SAN protocols, SAN management, and SAN physical configuration