IT Systems Administrator - Applications and Operations

IT Systems Administrator

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field—what we call connecting design with effect.

Metrea's solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.

Position Summary

The IT Systems Administrator serves as the technical authority and custodian for all secure digital systems, servers, applications, and computing infrastructure within a protected research and engineering environment. This position ensures the integrity, reliability, and security of server and end-user systems supporting prototyping, development, and operational support programs.

The role bridges IT operations, application design and management, software installation and maintenance to enable the safe execution of high consequence technical work while maintaining full compliance with export control, access management, and security directives.

What You'll Do

• Manage and maintain all on-premises and remote IT infrastructure, including servers, workstations, network hardware, and secure digital storage.
• Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot IT infrastructure components to ensure optimal operation.
• Perform system administration tasks including software installations, updates, and patch management.
• Provide technical support to resolve hardware, software, and network issues.
• Support the implementation of new IT systems, applications, and infrastructure as needed.
• Document and update IT procedures, configurations, and technical workflows.
• Implement and maintain Active Directory, Group Policy, and Identity Access Management (IAM) for controlled user environments.
• Conduct regular system backups, data integrity checks, and recovery exercises in accordance with security policies.
• Oversee implementation of cybersecurity standards, including endpoint protection, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.
• Support secure communications systems and classified networks under strict handling procedures.
• Maintain ITAR/EAR compliance, encryption standards, and access control documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to integrate new systems while maintaining network/system isolation and protection.
• Document system configurations, maintenance schedules, and network diagrams.
• Provide Tier 3 technical support and mentorship to IT support personnel.
• Conduct regular reviews of infrastructure performance, utilization, and security posture.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for audits, security inspections, and system accreditation activities.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience administering mixed Windows/Linux environments in secure or mission-critical settings.
• Proficiency in administration of Mac and Windows server and end-user equipment and applications to include MDM solutions and IDS/IPS hardware and software solutions
• Advanced technical competency and experience in one or more of the following: VMware, Hyper-V, Parallels or other virtualization platforms, Microsoft Windows Server, Apple MDM, Matrix, Active Directory Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers, MS Hyper-V/VMWare/ESx/Xen Hypervisors, Enterprise networking/firewalls/intrusion detection/prevention systems, forensic analysis/vulnerability assessment, Group Policy management and configuration, Scripting, BMC Footprints, WSUS, Lumension, Bitlocker, SQL Server 2012, TomCat, IIS, Red Hat 6.5, SEIMs, Logrhythm, ACAS/Nessus/SCAP, mandatory/role-based access control concepts (e.g SE Linux extensions to RHEL, PitBull, AppArmor, and Sentris)
• Strong background in Active Directory, DNS/DHCP management, and Microsoft 365 or Azure administration.
• Experience maintaining systems under NIST 800-171, DFARS View phone number on click.appcast.io, or equivalent compliance frameworks.
• Proven track record managing backups, patching, and endpoint security at enterprise scale.
• Must be a U.S. citizen with eligibility for government clearance.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Experience operating within classified or compartmented network environments (SIPR, JWICS, or equivalent).
• Previous military, defense, or government service, ideally within JSOC, SOF, or other Special Operations units involving secure communications or mission network operations.
• Prior employment with or exposure to U.S. National Laboratories or similar security-related research institutions.
• Familiarity with zero-trust architecture, cross-domain solutions (CDS), and network segmentation design.
• Certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
• Experience developing incident response playbooks and conducting internal security audits.
• Hands on experience with SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection tools.
• Active Top Secret / SCI clearance strongly preferred

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value, Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes—Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical plan options

HSA/FSA accounts

Dental and vision coverage

6% employer 401(k) match

Fully paid parental leave for all new parents

Generous PTO

Life and disability insurance Long-term and Short-term disability coverage

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

This position requires eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements.

AAP/EEO Statement

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs.

Work Location

Washington DC or North Carolina

Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting

Travel

Frequent travel to our US facilities (FL, DC, MD, NY, and CA) and overseas locations as required.